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.
Responsibilities
* 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.
* 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. Liaise with engineers, legal advisors, and other regulators to ensure public safety risks are effectively managed.
* Undertake training and participate in incident response duties when needed; incident response is an essential part of working for the Environment Agency and supports communities and protects the environment.
Experience/skills Required
* Experience managing complex regulatory or enforcement cases with strong communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
* Ability to manage conflict constructively, remain resilient, and focus 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, with ability to engage a wide range of 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.
* 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: “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.
Competencies
* Influences and Persuades Others — Tell me about 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. How did you keep it on track and what impact did it have?
* Customer and Partner Relations — Give an example of consultation and collaboration with customers or partners to ensure buy-in to initiatives and to promote the Environment Agency’s duties and policies.
Note: If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service. We welcome flexible working patterns, including job share, and have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability. We do not engage with the market directly via post, email or phone calls for recruitment. For more information on becoming a Crown Commercial Service supplier, visit the Crown Commercial Service website.
Seniority level: Associate
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Management and Manufacturing
Location note: This is a national role; you can be based at any Environment Agency office.
#J-18808-Ljbffr