Overview
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.
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 the role. You will be required to have an incident role and be available to respond to or provide business continuity support during an incident. Training and flexible working arrangements will be provided to support this role.
Team and culture
You’ll be part of a collaborative, forward-thinking team that works closely with delivery partners and internal colleagues to ensure SHEW standards are met and exceeded. We collaborate with our supply chain and wider construction industry to develop and share best practice. If something goes wrong, we provide technical support for investigations and ensure lessons are shared and embedded.
Experience / skills required
To succeed in this role, you must meet the minimum qualification criteria:
* 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)
Role requirements
The role requires regular travel to construction sites to undertake audits and construction site-based health, safety, and wellbeing assurance activities. This will be a mix of office/home working. The role also offers flexible working hours and opportunities for professional development. Ideally based in the East or Southeast of England.
Interviews will be conducted on MS Teams in the week commencing 24 November.
For more information about the role, refer to the candidate information pack. For an informal chat, 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.
Competencies
Competence 1 – Builds and Sustains Relationships
In this role, you’ll work with internal teams and external construction partners. Your ability to build trust, influence others, and navigate complex interpersonal dynamics is essential to drive improvements in safety, health, environment, and wellbeing.
Competence 2 – Achieves Results
This role requires a high level of personal effectiveness, resilience, and commitment to delivering results in a construction safety context.
Competence 3 – Influences and Persuades Others
You’ll often need to influence delivery partners, contractors, and internal teams to adopt SHEW standards and improve practices.
Competence 4 – Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Make informed decisions during audits, inspections, and incident investigations in dynamic construction environments.
Notes: CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection. You may use the STAR technique in your responses. Learn more about these competencies in EA Capability Dictionary (Calaméo).
Other information
Role requires full UK Driving Licence. We support flexible working patterns and have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support applicants with disabilities. The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by Defra.
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