Subject matter expert in climate adaptation

Do you want to set the technical direction for the Environmental Protection Agency's work on cloudbursts, roof- and surface water, and groundwater near the surface? We are looking for an experienced specialist who can translate technical knowledge and practical experience into visions as well as rules and guidance that municipalities and wastewater utilities can use in their climate adaptation.

The Environmental Protection Agency

The Environmental Protection Agency is part of the Ministry of the Environment and authority in the environmental, coastal and harbor area. Our mission is to translate professional knowledge into a decision basis and political decisions into concrete results for the environment, nature, sustainable fisheries, climate adaptation, citizens and businesses.

We are about 900 colleagues across Denmark and have our headquarters in Odense.

About the position

You will be part of the Office for Climate Adaptation, Data and Guidance, and will become one of the central professional experts in the climate adaptation area with regard to roof- and surface water and groundwater near the ground. You need to be able to drill into technical issues while also viewing them in a strategic and authoritative context. A substantial part of the work consists of contributing to tomorrow's environmental policy by qualifying rules, guidelines and decision basis and working to make complex issues understandable for both professionals and decision-makers.

You will have a role with a high degree of professional autonomy, while you often will collaborate with the whole team. You will drive analyses and development tasks, quality-assure technical deliveries and advise colleagues, management and the ministry. You collaborate continuously with municipalities, wastewater utilities, other authorities, research environments, consultants and stakeholder organizations.

Your key tasks

You should be able to connect knowledge about roof- and surface water, extreme rainfall and groundwater near the surface with the frameworks within which municipalities and utilities operate. This includes, among other things, capacity problems in drainage systems, flood risk during extreme precipitation, the interaction between roof- and surface water and groundwater near the surface, as well as other water sources that collectively pose challenges with coupled events.

You should thus have a holistic view and understanding of challenges across water sources and have insight into different climate adaptation solutions, including nature-based solutions. You will be required to:

• Be the knowledge hub for extreme rainfall, roof- and surface water and groundwater near the surface.
• Contribute to development, interpretation and implementation of rules and guidance on municipal wastewater planning and the climate adaptation of wastewater utilities.
• Prepare and quality-assure professional contributions to the management and the ministry, including navigating cases with high political attention.
• Develop guidance and dissemination to municipalities and wastewater utilities and be responsible for presentations as well as contribute to dialogue meetings, seminars and professional networks in collaboration with your colleagues.
• Professionally contribute to further development of national data and tools, including KAMP and klimatilpasning.dk, so they support planning and prioritization.
• Follow new knowledge and practice in the area and translate it into concrete recommendations for the Environmental Protection Agency's task execution.

Your professional profile

You have a relevant higher education, for example as an engineer, hydrogeologist, geologist, geographer or the like. What matters is that you have solid experience with climate adaptation and can take independent professional responsibility in the area. You can connect knowledge with the frameworks within which municipalities and utilities operate and indicate strategic directions for the development of the climate adaptation area.

We wish for a colleague who

• Has in-depth knowledge of at least one of the areas roof- and surface water, extreme rainfall or groundwater near the surface and a good sense of the interconnections between the areas.
• Has experience from, for example, a municipality, a wastewater utility, a consulting firm, an authority or a research environment.
• Can translate specialized knowledge into precise recommendations, notes and guidelines.
• Can participate constructively in dialogue about both professional, economic and regulatory considerations.

We also value

You work analytically and follow your tasks through to the end. You share your knowledge and can challenge a professional basis clearly and respectfully. You thrive with both short deadlines and longer development processes. Experience with public administration or political servicing is an advantage, but not a requirement.

About the office

The Office for Climate Adaptation, Data and Guidance works to strengthen the basis for a coherent climate adaptation. We develop and manage rules, data, digital tools and guidance for municipalities, utilities and other actors. You will become part of the Storm Surges and Groundwater near the Surface team, which besides you consists of 8 other colleagues who all have their workplace at the headquarters in Odense.

Tasks are solved in cross-disciplinary teams with technical specialists, generalists, lawyers, geographers and biologists. You will have room for professional sparring, responsibility and immersion in a work environment with open dialogue and a focus on balance. We have an agreement on flexitime, and there will be occasional opportunity to work from home.

We have an informal tone and place emphasis on a good collegial community where professional sparring, helpfulness and good humor are a natural part of everyday life.

Salary and terms of employment

Salary and terms of employment follow the current collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and a number of academic organizations for academics in the state (Academics’ Agreement).

Appointment as Senior/Chief Consultant will be possible depending on qualifications.

The position is permanent.

The place of employment will be the Environmental Protection Agency, Lerchesgade 35, 5000 Odense C.

The position is desired to be filled on 1 December 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Further information

If you want to know more, you are welcome to contact team leader Malte Hoffgaard at tel. 20 27 21 35, or head of office Charlotte Moosdorf at tel. 30 47 15 78.

How to apply for the position

You apply online by sending your application, CV and educational certificates, etc. no later than Monday 19 October 2026.

We expect to hold interviews on Monday 26 October. There may also be a case to solve during the interview.

Application deadline: 19 October 2026

Department: Lerchesgade 35 5000 Odense C

Location: Lerchesgade 35, 5000 Odense C