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.
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 liaise with engineers, legal advisors, and other regulators to ensure public safety risks are effectively managed. This is a national role and some travel and overnight stays will be required.
Responsibilities
* Lead the resolution of complex non-compliance issues and manage enforcement action under the Reservoirs Act 1975.
* Act as account manager for undertakers (including water companies), supporting proactive engagement and risk-based, proportionate interventions to drive compliance.
* Lead high-risk non-compliance casework using the CAP model and represent enforcement in account meetings.
* Contribute to Balmforth Review recommendations and the future Environmental Permitting Regulations regime.
* Liaise with engineers, legal advisers, and other regulators to manage public safety risks effectively.
* Undertake required training and participate in incident response duties as part of the role.
* Work within a national team of specialists in a dispersed location with travel and occasional overnight stays.
Experience and Qualifications
* Experience of managing complex regulatory or enforcement cases with strong communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
* Ability to analyse legal and technical information, assess risk, and provide sound recommendations for proportionate action.
* Strong written and verbal communication with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders (undertakers, engineers, legal advisers, 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.
Other Information
* Equal opportunity employer; flexible working patterns including job share welcome. This is a national role; you can be based at any Environment Agency office.
* As part of our inclusive policy, we offer a Guaranteed Interview for applicants with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria.
* Training and incident response duties are required; participation supports communities and environmental protection.
* Contact and interviews: For further information or an informal chat, please contact Zoe Wilson (zoe.wilson@environment-agency.gov.uk) or Karl Hunter (karl.hunter@environment-agency.gov.uk). Interviews will be conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams on 22–23 October. A short 5-minute presentation on stakeholder engagement for public safety will be required as part of the interview.
Note: If applying from the Civil Service, Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service. See the original job posting for specific guidance and eligibility. We comply with diversity and inclusion commitments and encourage applications from all qualified candidates.
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