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. This requires excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills, the ability to manage conflict constructively, and confidence to take proportionate formal action when needed.
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 you can be based at any Environment Agency office. All new joiners undertake training and participate in incident response duties when needed, as an essential part of working for the Environment Agency to support communities and prevent harm to the environment.
Responsibilities
* Lead complex regulatory or enforcement casework and apply proportionate enforcement powers to protect public safety.
* Act as account manager for undertakers and water companies; engage proactively, identify risk early, and drive compliance through risk-based interventions.
* Represent enforcement in account meetings and contribute to regulatory reform initiatives and compliance frameworks.
* Collaborate with engineers, legal advisors, and other regulators to manage safety risks.
* Participate in training and incident response duties as required.
Experience and Skills
* Experience in managing complex regulatory or enforcement cases with strong communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
* Ability to manage conflict constructively and remain focused on compliance and public safety.
* Ability to analyse legal and technical information, assess risk, and recommend proportionate actions.
* Strong written and verbal communication; ability to engage diverse stakeholders (undertakers, engineers, legal advisors, leadership).
* Desirable: knowledge of the Reservoirs Act 1975, enforcement frameworks, public safety regulation, infrastructure management; familiarity with Balmforth Review recommendations or Environmental Permitting Regulations reform.
Qualifications and Attributes
* Organised, adaptable, and motivated to deliver results through collaboration and regulatory impact.
Contact and How to Apply
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 how to approach an undertaker/stakeholder resistant to action on a public safety risk. This exercise assesses communication skills and presentation style using the Conduct and Engage competencies.
We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns, including job share. Guaranteed Interview Policy is available for applicants with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria.
The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body. We provide value for money and use Central Government frameworks for recruitment. For information on becoming a supplier through the Crown Commercial Service, visit gov.uk.
Note on AI
Artificial intelligence can support your application, but all content must be truthful and drawn from your own experience. Plagiarism may result in withdrawal of applications.
Seniority level: Associate
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Management and Manufacturing
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