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.
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 liaise with engineers, legal advisors, and other regulators to ensure public safety risks are effectively managed. Training and participation in incident response duties are required for all staff to support communities and prevent harm to the environment.
The role is national and can be based at any Environment Agency office, with some travel and overnight stays expected.
Responsibilities
* Lead complex regulatory or enforcement casework under the Reservoirs Act 1975.
* Act as account manager for undertakers (including water companies); engage proactively, identify risk early, and drive compliance via risk-based interventions.
* Use the Compliance Action Plan (CAP) model to manage high-risk non-compliance casework; represent enforcement in account meetings.
* Contribute to Balmforth Review recommendations and the future Environmental Permitting Regulations regime.
* Liaise with engineers, legal advisors, and other regulators to manage public safety risks.
* Undertake required training and participate in incident response duties when needed.
Experience and qualifications
* Experience managing complex regulatory or enforcement cases with strong communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
* Ability to manage conflict constructively, stay resilient, and focus on compliance and public safety.
* Ability to analyse legal and technical information, assess risk, and provide sound, proportionate recommendations.
* Strong written and verbal communication; ability to engage diverse stakeholders (undertakers, engineers, legal advisors, internal leadership).
* Desirable: knowledge of the Reservoirs Act 1975, enforcement frameworks, public safety regulation, infrastructure management; familiarity with Balmforth Review recommendations or Environmental Permitting Regulations reform.
* Organised, adaptable, and motivated to deliver results through collaboration and regulatory impact.
Equality, flexibility and additional information
We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns, including job share. We have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support disabled applicants meeting the minimum criteria. The Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service; continuity of service may vary for some staff, see guidance in the application process.
This is a national role; some travel and overnight stays will be required. The team operates within the Environmental Assessment and Reservoir Regulation department of Flood & Coastal Risk Management; the Reservoir Regulation Team supervises over 2,140 large raised reservoirs and uses proportionate enforcement powers to protect public safety.
Contacts
* Zoe Wilson, Senior Team Leader – zoe.wilson@environment-agency.gov.uk
* Karl Hunter, Enforcement Adviser – karl.hunter@environment-agency.gov.uk
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