Overview
The Enforcement Advisory Officer plays a 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.
* Lead high‑risk non-compliance casework using the Compliance Action Plan (CAP) model, represent enforcement in account meetings, and contribute to the 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 needed; incident response is an essential part of working for the Environment Agency and supports communities and the environment.
* Be based nationally, with travel and occasional overnight stays required; the role can be based at any Environment Agency office.
Experience and Skills (Qualifications)
* Experience managing complex regulatory or enforcement cases with strong communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
* Ability to manage conflict constructively, remain resilient under challenge, and 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.
Additional Information
* 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 be conducted remotely by Microsoft Teams on the 22nd and 23rd of October. As part of the interview, candidates will prepare and deliver a short 5-minute presentation on: “How would you approach an undertaker/stakeholder who is resistant to taking action on a identified public safety risk (for example, at a reservoir)?” The exercise assesses communication skills and presentation style.
Competencies assessed include: Influences and Persuades Others; Communicates Effectively; Achieves Results; Customer and Partner Relations. Answers may use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
We are committed to diversity and inclusion and welcome flexible working patterns, including job share. We also guarantee an interview to applicants with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria. The Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service. For details on continuous service status and redundancy considerations, please consult your HR team.
The Environment Agency, a Non-Departmental Public Body, uses Central Government frameworks for recruitment. Learn more about becoming a supplier through the Crown Commercial Service if you wish to engage on frameworks or contracts.
Notes
Artificial intelligence can support your application, but all examples must be truthful and taken from your own experience. Plagiarism or misrepresentation may lead to withdrawal of the application.
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