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.
Do you want to work for an organisation that values difference and includes everyone? Then the Environment Agency is the organisation for you! We are fully 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.
Team and Role Context
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 and Skills (What we are looking for)
We are seeking someone with experience of managing complex regulatory or enforcement cases, with strong communication, negotiation, and influencing skills. You will need to be confident in managing conflict constructively and resilient in the face of challenge, while maintaining focus on compliance and public safety. You should be able to analyse legal and technical information, assess risk, and provide sound recommendations for proportionate action. Strong written and verbal communication is essential, as is the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders, including 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 the Balmforth Review recommendations or Environmental Permitting Regulations reform would also be an advantage. Above all, you will be organised, adaptable, and motivated to deliver results through collaboration and regulatory impact.
Responsibilities
* Lead high-risk non-compliance casework using the CAP model.
* Represent enforcement in account meetings and liaise with engineers, legal advisors, and other regulators to ensure public safety risks are effectively managed.
* Provide specialist regulatory advice in safety-critical situations and drive proportionate enforcement actions.
* Engage with undertakers and water companies to identify risk early and drive compliance through proactive interventions.
* Contribute to the delivery of Balmforth Review recommendations and the future Environmental Permitting Regulations regime.
* Participate in training and incident response duties as required.
Qualifications and Experience
* Experience of managing complex regulatory or enforcement cases.
* Strong communication, negotiation, and influencing skills; ability to manage conflict constructively.
* Ability to analyse legal and technical information, assess risk, and provide considered recommendations for proportionate action.
* Desirable: knowledge of the Reservoirs Act 1975, enforcement frameworks, public safety regulation, or infrastructure management.
* Desirable: familiarity with Balmforth Review recommendations or Environmental Permitting Regulations reform.
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 a stakeholder engagement scenario. The exercise is designed to assess communication and presentation skills using the Communicates Effectively competency.
We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns, including job share. We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support people with a disability who meet the minimum criteria.
The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body and uses Central Government frameworks and contracts for external recruitment. For information about becoming a supplier through the Crown Commercial Service, please visit GOV.UK.
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