Overview
We’re proud to be part of the Environment Agency — an organisation that values diversity, champions inclusion, and reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone, regardless of background, identity, or lived experience.
We’re looking for two passionate and experienced professionals to join our national Construction Safety Team as SHEW Advisors. If you’re ready to make a real impact on the safety, health, environment, and wellbeing of major infrastructure projects across England, this could be your next career move.
These full-time roles sit within our Capital/Construction team, which sets SHEW standards and assures them through a robust audit and inspection programme. You’ll play a key part in shaping safer, healthier, and more sustainable construction practices — not just within our organisation, but across the wider industry.
As a SHEW Advisor, you’ll be a trusted expert and role model, helping to raise standards and drive continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
* Conduct audits and inspections of construction sites and delivery partners
* Produce clear, actionable reports and follow up on findings
* Provide technical advice across construction and maintenance activities
* Support incident investigations and embed lessons learned
* Develop and deliver training and awareness tools
* Lead on specialist SHEW topics and contribute to strategic SHEW projects
* Support framework communities of practice and promote best practice
Responding to incidents is a central part of the role. You will be required to have an incident role and be available to respond to or provide business continuity support during an incident. Supporting incident response may attract an additional payment and will support broader career development. Full training and flexible working arrangements will be available to support the incident role.
Team and culture
You’ll be part of a collaborative, forward-thinking team that works closely with delivery partners and internal colleagues to ensure SHEW standards are not only met but exceeded. We provide technical support for investigations and share lessons learned, collaborating with the supply chain and wider construction industry to develop and share best practice.
Experience/skills Required
To succeed in this role, you must meet the minimum qualification criteria:
* Proven health, safety, and wellbeing experience in construction delivery projects
* NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction Certificate (UK)
* Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. IOSH or IIRSM), ideally Chartered or working towards
Essential Skills
* A strong background in construction safety
* A proactive, solutions-focused mindset
* Excellent communication skills (oral and written) with the ability to build rapport, influence stakeholders, and translate complex safety requirements into practical guidance
* Confidence in reviewing and improving ways of working to ensure consistent application of SHEW legislation and best practice
Desirable Skills
* Experience in incident investigation and root cause analysis
* Familiarity with behavioural safety approaches
* Working knowledge of digital safety tools and reporting platforms
* Stakeholder engagement across complex frameworks
* Professional accreditation or chartership (e.g. GradIOSH, CMIOSH)
Role requirements
The role requires regular travel to construction sites to undertake audits and site-based health, safety, and wellbeing assurance activities. It will be a mix of office/home working. The successful candidates will ideally be based in the East or Southeast of England. Interviews will be conducted on MS Teams in the week commencing 24 November.
If you would like more information about the role, please refer to the attached candidate information pack. For an informal chat about the role, please contact Jason Hanson at Jason.hanson@environment-agency.gov.uk
Ready to take the next step? Apply now and help us build a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future.
Competencies
Competence 1: Builds and Sustains Relationships — description and application questions are part of the candidate assessment.
Competence 2: Achieves Results
Competence 3: Influences and Persuades Others
Competence 4: Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Each competence includes guidance, notes for applicants, and links to the EA Capability Dictionary for more information.
Other information
Role specific license requirements: Full UK Driving Licence.
We are committed to diversity and flexible working, including job share. We have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support disabled applicants.
The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body and engages with Government frameworks for recruitment. For information about supplier opportunities, visit the Crown Commercial Service page.
Artificial intelligence note: All examples in applications must be truthful and come from your own experience.
Seniority level
* Associate
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Management and Manufacturing
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