Job Description
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.
Key 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 what we do. You will have an incident role and be available to respond to or provide business continuity support during an incident. Supporting incident response may attract an additional payment and further career development opportunities. Full training and alternative working arrangements will be available to support your incident role.
Experience / Skills Required
* 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).
Contact and Additional Information
The role requires regular travel to construction sites to undertake audits and construction site‑based health, safety, and wellbeing assurance activities. It will be a mix of office / home working, offering flexible working hours and opportunities for further professional development. Successful candidates will ideally be based in the East or Southeast of England.
Interviews will be conducted on MS Teams week commencing 24th of November.
If you would like more information about the role, please refer to the attached candidate information pack. For an informal chat about the role, please 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.
Diversity and Inclusion
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, and have a guaranteed interview policy for applicants with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria.
Role Specific Licence Requirements
Full UK Driving Licence.
Application Questions
Competence 1 – Builds and Sustains Relationships:
Please describe a time when you successfully built a working relationship with someone whose views or working style differed significantly from your own. How did you approach the situation, and what was the outcome?
Competence 2 – Achieves Results:
Please describe a time when you faced a significant challenge in changing someone’s opinion or approach to construction safety. What was the situation, how did you influence their thinking, and what actions did you take to ensure a successful outcome?
Competence 3 – Influences and Persuades Others:
Please describe a time when you successfully 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?
Competence 4 – Takes Decisions and Solves Problems:
Please describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision or solve a complex problem during a construction safety audit, inspection, or SHEW‑related activity. What steps did you take to understand the issue, what options did you consider, and how did you reach your decision?
Note: CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection. Your answers will be used for interview selection. You may consider using the STAR technique. Provide evidence of your competencies either within this role or as transferable skills.
Artificial Intelligence and Application Integrity
Artificial intelligence can support your application, but all examples and statements must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. If plagiarism is identified, your application may be withdrawn. Please review the Agency’s AI guidance for more information.
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