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 also 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 ensuring equal opportunities for everyone. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share. This is a national role, so you can be based at any Environment Agency office.
The Team
You will join the Environmental Assessment and Reservoir Regulation department within Flood & Coastal Risk Management (FCRM). The Reservoir Regulation Team is a nationally dispersed team of 25+ specialists who regulate over 2,140 large raised reservoirs across England. As the enforcement authority for the Reservoirs Act 1975, we manage high-risk non-compliance using proportionate enforcement powers to protect public safety. The team is based across the country, and some travel and overnight stays will be required.
Experience/Skills Required
* Experience of managing complex regulatory or enforcement cases, with strong communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
* Ability to manage conflict constructively and remain resilient while focusing 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 essential; able to engage with undertakers, engineers, legal advisors, and internal leadership.
Desirable experience includes knowledge of the Reservoirs Act 1975, enforcement frameworks, public safety regulation, or infrastructure management. Familiarity with Balmforth Review recommendations or Environmental Permitting Regulations reform would be an advantage. Above all, you will be organised, adaptable, and motivated 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. As part of the interview, candidates will be asked to prepare and deliver a short 5-minute presentation on the following topic: “How would you approach an undertaker/stakeholder who is resistant to taking action on an identified public safety risk (for example, at a reservoir)?” This exercise is designed to assess your communication skills and presentation style using the Communicates Effectively competency.
Competencies
* Influences and Persuades Others – Describe a time when you had to influence someone who initially disagreed with your position or recommendation. How did you manage the conversation and what was the outcome?
* Communicates Effectively – Describe a time when you had to explain complex or technical information to someone unfamiliar with the topic. How did you tailor your communication, and what was the result?
* Achieves Results – Give an example of driving forward a challenging piece of work or project and its impact.
* Customer and Partner Relations – Describe consultation and collaboration with customers or partners to ensure buy-in to initiatives and to promote the Environment Agency’s duties and policies.
Note: The Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service. We welcome flexible working patterns and offer a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support applicants with a disability. For recruitment information, please visit official guidance and frameworks. AI usage in applications should be truthful and based on your own experience.
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