Department: Environment

Reporting to: Senior Advisor (Technical & Projects)

Grade: 9

Salary: £34,478 per annum

Base: Gravesend, Kent

Closing date: 27^th January 2025

Interview date: W/C 3^rd February 2025

Who we are:

The Port of London Authority is the statutory harbour authority for the tidal Thames and responsible for 95 miles of the River Thames from the Estuary to Teddington Lock in West London. We work to keep river users safe, protect and enhance the environment and promote the use of the river for trade and travel.

The Port of London Authority is dedicated to protecting and improving the tidal Thames for future generations. Our 2050 Vision for the Thames is of a clean, thriving river, free of sewage and other pollutants, supporting greater biodiversity and recreational use. The Environment team plays a key role in turning this vision into reality, driving the actions needed to create a thriving and sustainable river.

The role:

As an Assistant Technical Advisor, you will play an essential role in supporting the Environment team’s efforts to achieve our environmental goals for the tidal Thames. Working alongside lead technical advisors in air quality, water quality, and ecology, you will provide support across a variety of technical tasks, assist with planning and conducting environmental field surveys, and contribute to the successful delivery of projects. This role offers a unique opportunity to engage with a wide range of environmental issues and make a tangible impact on the sustainability of the UK’s largest port.

The Port of London Authority is headquartered in Gravesend, Kent, which will serve as the primary base for this role. However, the position will require travel across the full extent of the river as required to meet work responsibilities.

What we are looking for:

The successful candidate will be degree (or equivalent) educated in an environmental field. You will have a solid understanding of environmental considerations particularly in water quality, air quality, or ecology, alongside experience providing technical advice and coordinating projects. Strong written communication, interpersonal skills, and a good understanding of river and estuary ecosystems are essential, as is a willingness to learn about the specific challenges within the port.

Experience with the consenting process for marine infrastructure projects, including experience with assessments under the Water Framework Directive or Habitat Regulations, is highly desirable.

Role and Responsibility: 

Technical advice

• Work with the leads to provide timely and accurate technical advice on river works licences, dredging application and internal projects to the PLA teams.
• Lead on the delivery of accurate technical advice on low risk and temporary river works license applications.

Administrative support

• Monitor the Environment team’s shared inbox to allocate tasks to the team such as river works licensing and planning applications, external queries, and internal requests.
• Support the administrative co-ordination for a range of projects within the environment portfolio, including in relation to general directions and byelaws
• Produce high quality briefing notes, presentation and reports on topics related to the work of the team

Project support

• Work with the technical leads to support a range of project work on an adhoc basis
• Support the delivery of data collection, survey and field work where appropriate such as rapid litter appraisals, river condition surveys, air quality monitoring data collection, etc

Benefits package:

• 28 days annual leave
• Medical Cash Plan (Westfield Health)
• Generous pension
• Onsite parking with electric charging
• Access to Occupational Health, Mindfulness, Counselling and Physiotherapy
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Access to MyGymDiscounts

For further information or if you would like to have an informal discussion about the position, please contact Emily McLean on 01474 562294 or Emily.McLean@pla.co.uk

The PLA are not registered with the UK Home Office and do not sponsor candidates who require a visa or work permit to work in the UK, therefore an offer of employment cannot be made unless you currently hold the rights to live and work in the UK.