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 make yourself available to respond to or provide business continuity support during an incident. Supporting incident response may attract an additional payment and supports career development by enabling exposure to other parts of the business. Full training and alternative working arrangements will be available to support your 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 and embed lessons. We collaborate with our supply chain and the 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 specifics
The role requires regular travel to construction sites to undertake audits and site-based health, safety, and wellbeing assurance activities. This will be a mix of office / home working with flexible working hours and opportunities for professional development. Ideally 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, please refer to the attached candidate information pack or 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
In this role, you’ll work with a wide range of people—from internal teams to external construction partners. Your ability to build trust, influence others, and navigate complex interpersonal dynamics is essential to driving improvements in safety, health, environment, and wellbeing.
Application questions and notes:
* Describe a time you built a working relationship with someone whose views differed from your own. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?
* CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection. Your answer will be used for interview selection. You may use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
* You may include examples of how you demonstrate these competencies within the role or as transferable skills.
More information on these competencies is available in our capability dictionary: Calaméo - EA Capability Dictionary (calameo.com)
Competence 2 – Achieves Results
Description
This role requires high personal effectiveness, resilience, and commitment to delivering results in a construction safety context.
Application questions and notes:
* Describe a time you faced a significant challenge in changing someone’s opinion or approach to construction safety. What was the situation, how did you influence thinking, and what actions ensured a successful outcome?
* CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection. Your answer will be used for interview selection. You may use the STAR technique.
Competence 3 – Influences and Persuades Others
Description
In this role, you’ll need to influence delivery partners, contractors, and internal teams to adopt SHEW standards and improve practices. This requires engaging others, shifting perspectives, and driving meaningful change.
Application questions and notes:
* Describe a time you influenced a stakeholder or delivery partner to change their approach to construction safety. What strategy did you use, how did you tailor your message, and what was the result?
* CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection. You may use the STAR technique to structure your answer. Include examples of how you demonstrate these competencies.
Competence 4 – Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
You’ll be expected to make informed decisions during audits, inspections, and incident investigations — often in dynamic construction environments. Think critically, act decisively, and solve problems to maintain high SHEW standards.
Application questions and notes:
* Describe a time you had to make a difficult decision during a construction safety activity. What steps did you take, what options did you consider, and what was the final decision?
* CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection. You may use the STAR technique. Provide transferable examples where possible.
Role specific license requirements: Full UK Driving Licence
Additional notes:
* If applying from the Civil Service, the Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant if appointed. You may be eligible for continuous service under certain circumstances. Check with your HR team if unsure.
* We welcome flexible working patterns, including job share. Please indicate preferred arrangements on your application.
* We guarantee an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
* The EA uses Central Government frameworks for external recruitment. See government guidance for suppliers if you wish to engage as a supplier via Crown Commercial Service.
Important note on AI usage: Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, but all examples must be truthful and taken from your own experience. Plagiarism may lead to withdrawal or disciplinary action. EA aligns with Civil Service guidance on AI usage.
Additional information
* Seniority level: Associate
* Employment type: Full-time
* Job function: Management and Manufacturing
We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working arrangements. This description is for guidance and may be updated. Interviews will be held via MS Teams in the week commencing 24 November.
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