Principal Sustainability Specialist

The Government Recruitment Service is hiring a Principal Sustainability Specialist in Hastings, UK. The role involves managing technical projects, ensuring the sustainability of low carbon fuel schemes, and collaborating with various stakeholders to promote greener transport and sustainable travel behaviors. Candidates should have a background in Science or Environmental Science, knowledge of low carbon fuels, and strong communication skills. The position emphasizes inclusivity and diversity in the workforce.
We recognise the challenges that people with protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.

Are you passionate about sustainability and have a degree in Science or Environmental Science and/or relevant professional experience?

Do you have knowledge of low carbon fuels and their role in decarbonising transport?

Can you communicate complex technical information confidently to a diverse range of stakeholders?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

Climate change is one of the biggest and most pressing challenges facing Governments across the world. In this role you will be at the heart of the Department’s strategy to accelerate the shift to greener transport, and drive more sustainable travel behaviours, to ensure that transport plays its part in meeting this challenge.

The Environment Strategy directorate leads on policy to move the nation’s transport onto a more sustainable footing while maximising the economic opportunities for the UK.

We are looking for two highly motivated sustainability specialists, with knowledge of sustainability, climate change, and renewable fuels, to join the Low Carbon Fuels (LCF) Delivery Unit as Principal sustainability specialists.

You will play a critical role in helping to ensure the successful delivery of the ongoing implementation and delivery of both the RTFO and the SAF Mandate. These flagship policies are two of the Government’s most important routes for reducing emissions from transport.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Initiate and manage technical projects. You will investigate emerging sustainability issues, evaluating the risk they pose to the scheme while identifying and implementing solutions. You will work collaboratively with colleagues in the Low Carbon Fuels policy teams to implement amendments and improvements to the scheme.
• Ensure the sustainability of the RTFO and SAF Mandate schemes. You will undertake initial assessments of new low carbon fuel feedstocks and production pathways, engaging with industry to assess their eligibility under the RTFO and SAF Mandate, and working with the Unit technical managers to issue eligibility advice.
• Review RTFO and SAF Mandate applications evaluate sustainability claims for fuel supplied under the schemes and provide support to colleagues and fuel suppliers on technical issues and application investigations.
• Collaborate with external stakeholders: The role is highly collaborative and involves engagement with a wide range of stakeholders - from leading fuel suppliers to innovative start-ups. You will work with international regulators, industry, technical support partners and other relevant organisations to address emerging challenges to the sustainability and integrity of the scheme, ensuring that the UK remains at the forefront of low carbon fuels regulation.

For further information, please see the attached Role Profile.