Water Conservation Officer at the Environmental Department

At the Environmental Department, we work for the sustainable development of the county from both an environmental and an economic and social perspective. We handle issues related to environmentally hazardous activities and the protection and management of valuable nature. We also work with the management of water and national parks. Our staff works both in the field and in the office.

Job Description

Do you want to work with environmentally related water management issues and be part of a team that makes a significant difference for the aquatic environment? We are now looking for one or more water conservation officers to work with supervision and assessment of water activities focusing on power plants and dams, including the implementation of the national assessment plan.

You will participate in the County Administrative Board's work with supervision and assessment of dams and power plants. The work with the national assessment plan (NAP) includes, among other things, being responsible for facilitating cooperation with relevant operators. In court proceedings, you will write statements and represent the County Administrative Board. Afterward, you will follow up on permits with modern environmental conditions. The supervision work includes monitoring migration barriers, managing operational disturbances, and supervising water regulation by, for example, checking that operators have permits for water activities and that other requirements of the Environmental Code are met.

An important part of the work is to monitor environmental interests and other public interests by, for example, assessing environmental impact and what measures will be needed based on, among other things, the Water Framework Directive. You will do this through dialogue with operators, close teamwork with the County Administrative Board's various experts, and analysis of the need for measures in relation to the benefits of the water facility. For those interested in issues related to the environmental adaptation of hydropower, such as hydrology, limnology, ecology, and environmental law, the work offers excellent opportunities for in-depth knowledge in the field.

The work mainly consists of office work. Some fieldwork, including visits to water facilities and certain travel, is included in the position. Contacts with the media may occur. Tasks are partly determined by interest and competence, and changes in the authority's assignments may mean that more tasks than those described in the advertisement become relevant.

You will belong to the Water and Nature Environment unit, which has just over 20 employees. The unit has good cohesion and discusses cases together, supporting each other as needed. With us, there are good opportunities to combine private life with work life through flexible working methods and several appreciated benefits such as the possibility of remote work part of the time (when it works for the organization), good vacation conditions, and the possibility of salary exchange.

Qualifications

The following is required for the position:

• At least a three-year university degree in natural sciences, environmental sciences, or engineering with a focus on water issues or other education deemed relevant by the employer.
• At least one year of work experience relevant to the position.
• The ability to evaluate various inventories, environmental assessments, and other documentation.
• Knowledge of applicable parts of environmental law.
• Good computer skills and the ability to use GIS support.
• Experience in making assessments and writing well-reasoned decisions, as well as planning and executing effective work to achieve results based on your own and others' competencies.
• Good ability to express yourself in Swedish, both spoken and written.
• Driver's license (B).
• Swedish citizenship.

Meritorious:

• Experience in project and/or assignment management.
• Experience working with hydropower issues or assignments within water management/environmental quality standards for water, particularly focusing on HYMO and/or limnic flora and fauna.
• Experience in case management involving regulatory authority work according to the Environmental Code at the County Administrative Board, municipality, or equivalent. Particularly meritorious is experience in handling cases related to water activities (Chapter 11 of the Environmental Code).
• Experience reviewing investigations on environmental adaptations of water activities, such as fish and fauna passages or flow measures.
• Education in environmental law.

As a person, you need to have problem-solving analytical skills, meaning you should have a good ability to compile information, break down and solve complex problems from a holistic perspective with well-considered trade-offs in conflicts of interest. You should have good judgment, be responsible, self-driven, and meticulous, and be able to work goal- and result-oriented. This means you should be able to identify tasks and carry them out by planning and prioritizing work in a structured manner. You should also have pedagogical skills, meaning you are clear and can communicate and explain decisions in a target group-adapted manner. Since the role involves many contact points, it is important that you represent the County Administrative Board in a trustworthy manner and are skilled at creating and maintaining good relationships and have good collaboration skills.

We place great emphasis on personal suitability and that you work according to our vision and the public sector's value base.

Employment

The employment is a permanent position that begins with a 6-month probationary period. The position is security-classified, and a security review will be conducted according to the Security Protection Act (2018:585).

Application

Welcome with your application by January 21, 2026.

At the County Administrative Board of Örebro County, we offer you an exciting workplace. We are characterized by a forward-looking attitude, a good working environment, and employees with broad expertise. We have short decision-making paths and conduct many cross-functional collaborations. As an employee with us, you will have approximately 220 competent colleagues – from knowledgeable experts to ambitious generalists – all working based on our four guiding principles: collaborative, service-oriented, legally secure, and driven.

The County Administrative Board of Örebro County represents the government in the county. However, we carry out many of our assignments in collaboration with municipalities, businesses, the voluntary sector, and citizens. This is based on our vision "Together for a sustainable and vibrant Örebro County".

The County Administrative Board works to be an authority free from discrimination and aims to harness the qualities that diversity brings to the organization.