Overview
The Enforcement Advisory Officer plays a critical national role in supporting the Environment Agency’s statutory functions under the Reservoirs Act 1975. You will lead the resolution of complex non-compliance issues, manage enforcement action, and provide specialist regulatory advice in safety-critical situations. You will act as account manager for undertakers, including water companies, supporting proactive engagement, identifying risk early, and driving compliance through consistent, risk-based interventions. This requires excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills, the ability to manage conflict constructively, and confidence to take proportionate formal action when needed. You will lead high-risk non-compliance casework using the Compliance Action Plan (CAP) model, represent enforcement in account meetings, and contribute to the delivery of Balmforth Review recommendations and the future Environmental Permitting Regulations regime. You will also liaise with engineers, legal advisers, and other regulators to ensure public safety risks are effectively managed. Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate in incident response duties when the need to respond arises. Having an incident role is an essential part of working for the Environment Agency and an active way to support communities and prevent harm to the environment.
Note: This is a national role so you can be based at any Environment Agency office.
Team and role context
You will join the Environmental Assessment and Reservoir Regulation department within Flood & Coastal Risk Management (FCRM). The Reservoir Regulation Team is a nationally dispersed team of 25+ specialists who regulate over 2,140 large raised reservoirs across England. As the enforcement authority for the Reservoirs Act 1975, we manage high-risk non-compliance using proportionate enforcement powers to protect public safety. The team is based across the country, and some travel and overnight stays will be required.
Experience/skills Required
* Experience of managing complex regulatory or enforcement cases, with strong communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
* Confidence in managing conflict constructively and resilience in the face of challenge, while maintaining focus on compliance and public safety.
* Ability to analyse legal and technical information, assess risk, and provide sound recommendations for proportionate action.
* Strong written and verbal communication, with ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders, including undertakers, engineers, legal advisers, and internal leadership.
Desirable experience
* Knowledge of the Reservoirs Act 1975, enforcement frameworks, public safety regulation, or infrastructure management.
* Familiarity with Balmforth Review recommendations or Environmental Permitting Regulations reform.
* Organised, adaptable, and motivated to deliver results through collaboration and regulatory impact.
Competencies for interview
* Influences and Persuades Others
* Communicates Effectively
* Achieves Results
* Customer and Partner Relations
Interview format
Interviews will take place remotely by Microsoft Teams on the 22nd and 23rd of October. As part of the interview, candidates will be asked to prepare and deliver a short 5-minute presentation on the topic: “How would you approach an undertaker/stakeholder who is resistant to taking action on an identified public safety risk (for example, at a reservoir)?” This exercise is designed to assess communication skills and presentation style, including how you structure your response, explain your reasoning, and engage with challenging stakeholder scenarios.
Additional information
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns, including job share. This is a national role, based at any Environment Agency office. For applicants applying from the Civil Service, note that the Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of appointment. We have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria. The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body and uses Central Government frameworks for external recruitment; for supplier opportunities, see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know.
Important disclosure
Artificial intelligence can support your application, but all content must be truthful and based on your own experience. Plagiarism may result in withdrawal of the application. See Civil Service guidance on AI use for more information.
Location and search notes
Seniority level: Associate
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Management and Manufacturing
Job postings
We occasionally publish related roles in various locations; this description is for the national Environmental Agency position described above.
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