People from a wide range of backgrounds, with various levels of experience have joined us across all areas of our Flood Risk Management work. In their words, this is what they do and why they chose the Environment Agency to further their career.

Increasing sea storms. Heavier rainfall. Rising sea levels.

Elisha Tafirenyika
Asset Systems Management Team Member

‘I joined the Environment Agency on the 15th of November 2005 after a stint in the Royal Engineers where I worked as a civil engineering/land surveyor. I work for the Flood Risk Management function in the Asset System Management team. We are responsible for the Agency's flood defence infrastructure in the Brampton Central area. The agency has a very good training culture and I have done many courses at centres all over the country after only five months. I have done the Flood Risk Management Foundation course at Middlesex University, Effective Project Management, NFCDD, and ArcGIS to name just a few. I will be undertaking more courses to fully prepare me for my role, all of which are well organised and delivered interactively, which makes them interesting.

The Environment Agency is also sponsoring me on a part time Civil Engineering Degree Programme. In my team there are a number of Technical Specialists who have done over 20 years in the industry so help is always at hand. There is a well-defined career structure and on completion of my degree opportunities to rise are endless.

The main reason I really enjoy working for the Agency apart from all the facts mentioned above, is how easily I have fitted in. I am originally from Zimbabwe but I feel at home and I have made very good friends and we will be visiting Africa together soon!’