Principal Airspace Regulation Environment

Salary: Up to £75,000 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: BPSS

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The CAA is looking for an expert with a broad depth of understanding of the environmental impacts of aviation, and associated Government regulations and policies for environmental protection, to lead a specialist team within the rapidly expanding Airspace Regulation section within the CAA. This is a truly exciting time within aviation as the UK looks to modernise airspace through the implementation of the Airspace Modernisation Strategy. This strategy aims to enable quicker, quieter, and cleaner journeys whilst simultaneously integrating new users, including unmanned aircraft systems and commercial space operators. Environmental sustainability is a key overarching objective of the Airspace Modernisation Strategy, as it aims to reduce aviation’s carbon emissions, contributing to the Government’s Jet Zero goal to reach net zero UK aviation emissions by 2050.

Airspace Regulation is a muti-disciplined team, bringing together expertise from a broad range of disciplines including, Engagement, Environment, Economics, Air Traffic Control, and airspace, and is responsible for the regulation of airspace change proposals. Such proposals are required to follow the CAP1616 Airspace Change Process, where both aviation and non-aviation stakeholders are able to submit airspace change requests whichvary greatly in terms of size, operational complexity, and scale of consequential environmental impact.

This new role will lead a team of 4 aviation and environment experts who perform regulatory oversight of airspace change proposals with respect to their environmental impact assessments, ensuring modern standards for regulatory decision-making are fair, transparent, consistent and proportionate. The role will form part of the wider Airspace Regulation management team of Principals, being actively involved in decision making as required by Manager Airspace Regulation and in line with CAA Directions.

The Role

• Lead and develop the team of environment experts within the Airspace Regulation team, coordinating and progressing their workflow
• Appraise and sign-off Environmental Assessments of sponsor airspace change proposals
• Act as a key decision maker on selected Airspace Change Proposals and at points within the change process
• Airspace Regulation focal point for environment matters with internal and external stakeholders, government bodies, expert bodies, representative groups – in particular community noise groups, making decisions on behalf of the CAA in politically sensitive areas
• Own and maintain the environmental requirements of the CAP1616 Airspace Change Process, ensuring it remains fit for purpose and stays abreast of changing regulation
• Lead on the implementation of Habitat Regulation Assessment in Airspace Change Proposals, developing screening criteria and ensuring this conforms to Government legislation
• Airspace Regulation point of contact for the development of the CAA’s Environmental Strategy and environment policies including the introduction of new entrants into the aviation industry
• Engage at all levels in sponsor organisations and with stakeholders, often with senior politicians, environment groups, etc

• Represent Airspace Regulation at community noise forums

• Act as deputy to the Manager of Airspace Regulation, fulfilling the role as required and provide management support across all Airspace Regulation activities
• Remain current with the latest developments in aviation environmental matters and environmental assessment methodology including maintaining contacts in the aviation industry and academia in relevant subject areas
   

The knowledge, skills and experience we are looking for:

Essential:

• Educated to degree level or has equivalent industry experience, including practical knowledge and experience of methods and approaches as they relate to scientific analysis of environmental factors
• Have a good knowledge of the key environmental impacts of aviation, noise, local air quality and climate change, and the strategies and actions to mitigate these
• Have a good knowledge of methods of environmental assessment and relevant current national and international legislation
• Have appropriate management skills to perform Line Management responsibilities to a diverse team

Desirable:

• Experience from within the aviation industry
• An understanding of UK airspace, air traffic operations, aircraft performance and developments in the aviation and environment industry
• Knowledge of the CAA’s regulatory role, airspace change process, strategic plan and responsibilities

The strengths and behaviours required:

• Possess high levels of commitment, reliability and flexibilitywith the ability to prioritise and multi-task in a highly dynamic and fast-paced environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships across teams, and to deal tactfully, diplomatically and authoritatively with people at all levels, both internally and externally
• Have the intellectual curiosity to address the lesser considered but often cited environmental impacts such as tranquillity, biodiversity and habitats
• Be able to rapidly establish personal credibility with technical specialists and develop constructive relationships at all levels throughout the CAA, aviation industry and community
• Have the ability to adapt and develop methods of environmental assessment to meet the particular requirements of airspace change proposals
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to deliver clear, concise, and effective guidance, and unbiased conclusions
• Excellent organisations skills with the ability to work well under pressure, prioritise workload and meet deadlines
• A motivated individual who can work with minimum supervision, be pro-active with strong time management skills to deliver high-quality and useful work
• Experience in making complicated decisions whilst applying proportionality

How we care for you:

• You will become a valued member within a professional, supportive multi-disciplined team of civilian and military personnel. We will invest in you and allow you to grow your career, offering a wide variety of excellent internal and external professional and personal development training opportunities
• Financial rewards: attractive salary, an envied Defined Contribution Pension Scheme where you elect what % of salary contribution you wish invest and the CAA will double that as well, up to a maximum of 12% (6% employee contribution), and other generous salary sacrifice schemes including an additional 5 days leave purchase scheme
• Work/life balance: free onsite gym at our Head Office near Gatwick Airport and other discounted gym memberships, 28 days annual leave plus public holidays
• We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance
• We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone
• As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

To be vetted you must have the right to work in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on BPSS clearance please visit - BPSS clearance

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Our Values
 

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: Wednesday 1st May 2024
Interview Date: W/C Tuesday 7th May 2024

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.