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.
Responsibilities
* 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.
* 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. Liaise with engineers, legal advisors, and other regulators to ensure public safety risks are effectively managed.
* 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.
Team and Location
This is a national role, so you can be based at any Environment Agency office. 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. Travel and occasional overnight stays will be required.
Experience/Skills Required
* Experience managing complex regulatory or enforcement cases with strong communication, negotiation, and influencing skills. Ability to manage conflict constructively and remain resilient 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, and the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders, including undertakers, engineers, legal advisors, and internal leadership.
* Desirable: 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.
Experience Notes
We welcome flexible working patterns for all vacancies, including job share. This is a national role; some travel and overnight stays will be required.
Contacts
For further information or an informal chat about the role contact:
* Zoe Wilson, Senior Team Leader – zoe.wilson@environment-agency.gov.uk
* Karl Hunter, Enforcement Adviser – karl.hunter@environment-agency.gov.uk
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 a given topic to assess communication and presentation skills.
Competencies
* Influences and Persuades Others
* Communicates Effectively
* Achieves Results
* Customer and Partner Relations
Additional Information
We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and to equal opportunities. We have a Guaranteed Interview Policy for applicants with disabilities and welcome flexible working patterns and job sharing. Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service; contact your HR team if unsure of your status. If you are applying from Civil Service, local government, or other bodies listed in relevant orders, you may be eligible for certain continuous service considerations. For Crown supplier opportunities, see the Crown Commercial Service guidelines. This role and the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence should be followed as described in the Civil Service Careers guidance.
Seniority level: Associate
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Management and Manufacturing
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