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.
Everyone that joins us is required to 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.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and welcoming flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share. This is a national role based at any Environment Agency office.
Responsibilities
* Lead the resolution of complex non-compliance issues and manage enforcement action under the Reservoirs Act 1975.
* Act as account manager for undertakers (e.g., water companies), engage proactively, identify risk early, and drive compliance through risk-based interventions.
* Use the Compliance Action Plan (CAP) model to lead high-risk non-compliance casework, represent enforcement in account meetings, and contribute to regulatory reform initiatives.
* Liaise with engineers, legal advisors, and other regulators to ensure public safety risks are effectively managed.
* Participate in incident response duties as required to support communities and protect the environment.
Experience and Qualifications
* Experience managing complex regulatory or enforcement cases with strong communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
* Ability to manage conflict constructively, analyse legal and technical information, assess risk, and provide sound recommendations for proportionate action.
* Strong written and verbal communication; experience engaging diverse 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.
* Organisation, adaptability, and motivation to deliver results through collaboration and regulatory impact.
Contact and 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 take place remotely by Microsoft Teams on the 22nd and 23rd of October. Candidates may be asked to prepare a short presentation as part of the interview.
Competencies
* Influences and Persuades Others
* Communicates Effectively
* Achieves Results
* Customer and Partner Relations
We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce, welcome flexible working patterns including job share, and have a Guaranteed Interview Policy for disabled applicants meeting minimum criteria. The Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra and participates in Crown Commercial Service supplier frameworks where applicable.
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