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.
All staff are required to undertake training and participate in incident response duties when needed. 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 vacancies, including job share. This is a national role and you can be based at any Environment Agency office.
Team location: Environmental Assessment and Reservoir Regulation, 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. The team is based across the country, and some travel and overnight stays will be required.
Responsibilities
* Lead high-risk non-compliance casework using the CAP model and represent enforcement in account meetings.
* Provide specialist regulatory advice in safety-critical situations and liaise with engineers, legal advisors, and regulators to manage public safety risks.
* Act as account manager for undertakers, including water companies, driving proactive engagement and risk-based interventions to ensure compliance.
* Contribute to delivering Balmforth Review recommendations and future Environmental Permitting Regulations reform.
* Participate in incident response duties as part of EA requirements.
Experience and Skills
* 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, with ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders including undertakers, engineers, legal advisers, 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.
* Organised, adaptable, and motivated to deliver results through collaboration and regulatory impact.
Contact and Additional Information
* 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 22 and 23 October. As part of the interview, candidates will be asked to prepare a short 5-minute presentation on: “How would you approach an undertaker/stakeholder who is resistant to taking action on an identified public safety risk?”
Competencies assessed: Influences and Persuades Others; Communicates Effectively; Achieves Results; Customer and Partner Relations. Please note: you may be asked to use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Other information
* We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns, including job share. Please include any preferred working arrangements in your application.
* Guaranteed Interview Policy: eligible applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria will be guaranteed an interview.
* The Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service. For suppliers interested in Crown Commercial Service frameworks, see the government guidance on becoming a supplier.
Artificial intelligence usage: Any AI-generated content used must be truthful and from your own experience. The Environment Agency aligns with Civil Service guidance on AI use.
#J-18808-Ljbffr