Working at SERT

• What area does the SERT region cover?

  The SERT region covers the South East of England, extending from Hampshire in the west to Kent in the east, with the northern border being south of the Thames, extending down to the English Channel.

• What benefits do you offer?

  Our benefits are outlined here

• How often do I need to work at the office?

  Our roles are hybrid. We expect staff to regularly attend office days in Leatherhead, between 1-4 times/month. 

• How much travel will I need to do?

  The amount of travel required depends on the role and can be extensive.   Most travel for an individual will be to work on project sites, which can be remote, or attending external meetings within the SERT region.  The geographical range and frequency of travel is role dependent. 

  We indicated on job adverts if travel required is:

  Limited – within the SERT region

  Regular – within the SERT region 

  Extensive – across the SERT region 

  Please contact us if you require more details about the role's travel requirements.

• Do you pay travel costs?

  To support travel costs, SERT pays an allowance towards mileage for travel within the SERT region.  

  We do not pay mileage, time or any other costs for travel outside the SERT region, nor for any commutes to the office. Travel from home to site, within the SERT region includes an unpaid 45 minutes commute time, at the beginning and end of the day.

  Toll charges cannot be claimed.

  We will pay train fares within the SERT region for site visits.

The application process

• Do you accept speculative applications?

  We don't accept speculative applications sent by email. Please use the Connect button to register your interest in job alerts and you can leave your CV there too.

• How do I apply?

  Fill in the short online form with your details, answers to the questions and attach your CV. Please don't send CVs by email.

  Ensure your name and contact details on your application exactly match those on your CV. 

• How can I find out more about a job?

  We include all the main information in the job advertisements, but if you still have a question which hasn't been answered, please email

  jobs@southeastriverstrust.org

• I don't have the right to work in the UK - can I still apply?

  We aren't licenced to sponsor employees for visas, so can't offer sponsorship for roles. You will need to have, or be able to obtain, right to work in the UK to take up our jobs. If you want to know more about right to work issues, please visit https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas
  

  All job offers are made subject to providing proof of the right to work before you can start employment with us.

• Do you allow flexible working?

  Flexible working is important at the South East Rivers Trust and we are happy to consider this during recruitment.
  

  We have a head office in Leatherhead, with a minimum of fortnightly in-person office attendance required. All of our roles are hybrid working.
  

  Time of in lieu for approved extra hours worked, is available by agreement with the your Line Manager during exceptionally busy periods.
  

• I've seen a job advertised, when would you want me to start?

  All jobs advertised are subject to the recruitment processes and any notice periods.  However, in general we are looking to fill the post as soon as possible!

• What happens once I've applied?

  You will be sent an email confirming that we have received your application. The email will come from an address ending with:

  @southeastriverstrust.teamtailor-mail.com

  Please check your junk and quarantined email.
  

  You may need to confirm your email address for your application to be submitted.  
  

• How long does shortlisting take?

  We will contact you with an outcome after the application window has closed and all screening has been completed. Please allow at least 10 days for this process.

  We contact all applicants to let them know whether or not their application has been successful.

• Why do you ask if I've used AI in my application?

  We ask that all applications are authentically written based on your own experiences. We highly value originality and personal effort in the application process.

  If AI tools are used, their usage should be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, should genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. 

  We reserve the right to reject applications where it is apparent that AI-generated content has been used in isolation and without personalised responses

• What is the Connect feature?

  This is an optional way, for you to register your interest in roles at the South East Rivers Trust.  Once you are registered you will receive automatic notifications when a new job is advertised.

• Do I need to provide details of someone who can recommend me?

  Not at this stage.  We will ask for the contact details of your referees if you are successful at interview.

Outcomes and feedback

• How do you carry out interviews?

  Interviews can be either in-person or online.

  Dependent on the role you may be required to prepare a short presentation or complete a task.

  We reserve the right to conduct second interviews.

• Do you let everyone know the outcome of their application and interview?

  Yes, we appreciate the time taken and interest of everyone who applies to us and will let everyone know the outcome.

• How long will I have to wait for the outcome of an interview?

  We will endeavour to provide outcomes within 10 days of the last interview being held.

• Do you give feedback to unsuccessful applicants?

  We are only able to give feedback to applicants who have been success in securing an interview.

• How do you make job offers?

  We usually call people and follow up by email. All job offers are made subject to you providing proof of the right to work - we'll run a digital check after making the offer.

• Do you contact referees?

  Offers of employment are made subject to receiving two satisfactory references, one being your most recent place of employment.

  We won't usually contact referees until we offer you a job.  At that point we will ask for their contact details and we then contact them by email.

• How long do you keep my application?

  6 months is the usual length of time. If you want to delete it earlier, you can log into the system to do so. 
  

Equity, diversity and inclusion

• Why do you ask me to fill out an EDI form when I apply?

  The environment sector does not reflect the make-up of the population, and if we can help change that, we will have a broader reach, contribute to a more equitable society and acheive our goals more quickly. We need to keep track of how we are doing in terms of attracting and selecting cross-sections of the population and making changes to how we recruit.
  

  The form isn't seen by the hiring panel and plays no part in the selection process. You can of course choose not to fill it in or to prefer not to say to any questions you don't feel comfortable answering.

• I've got a disability - can I ask for an adjustment to the process?

  Absolutely! SERT offers flexible working options to support everyone as individuals. Please get in touch if you require assistance with the application and/or interview process and our team will do the best to accommodate reasonable adjustments, where possible. For more information, please refer to our EDI Policy 

  Please contact the HR Manager at jobs@thesoutheastriverstrust.org 

• How are applicants shortlisted?

  Hiring Managers shortlist with at least one other person to provide a different perspective.
  

  Our initial shortlisting is carried out anonymously - this means our Hiring Team does not see your name at this stage.

Other questions

• How can I ask further questions?

  If you can't find the answer to your question on our website, please get in touch via email and we will respond.

  jobs@southeastriverstrust.org