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 help shape safer, healthier, and more sustainable construction practices — not just within our organisation, but across the wider industry.
As a SHEW Advisor, you’ll be a trusted expert and role model, helping to raise standards and drive continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
* Conducting audits and inspections of construction sites and delivery partners
* Producing clear, actionable reports and following up on findings
* Providing technical advice across construction and maintenance activities
* Supporting incident investigations and embedding lessons learned
* Developing and delivering training and awareness tools
* Leading on specialist SHEW topics and contributing to strategic SHEW projects
* Supporting framework communities of practice and promoting 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. Supporting incident response may attract an additional payment and support career development by exposing you to other parts of the business. Full training and alternative working arrangements will be available to support your incident role.
The Team
You’ll be part of a collaborative, forward-thinking team that works closely with delivery partners and internal colleagues to ensure SHEW standards are not only met but exceeded. We collaborate with our supply chain and wider construction industry to develop and share best practice.
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-specific information
The role requires regular travel to construction sites to undertake audits and site-based health, safety, and wellbeing assurance activities. The role is a mix of office/home working. Flexible working hours and opportunities for professional development are available. Ideally based in the East or Southeast of England. Interviews will be conducted on MS Teams during the week commencing 24 November.
For more information, refer to the attached candidate information pack. For an informal chat about the role, please 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
These competencies describe key behaviors for success in this role. Each includes an application question and notes for applicants.
* Builds and Sustains Relationships
* Achieves Results
* Influences and Persuades Others
* Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Important notices The Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service. We welcome flexible working patterns, including job share. We guarantee an interview to applicants with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria. Details about recruitment and supplier information are available in the attached documents. We encourage applicants to review guidance on the use of artificial intelligence in applications and to ensure all statements are truthful and from your own experience.
Location and status
Eastbourne, Haywards Heath, Little London and other locations in England; roles may be based in East or Southeast England. Seniority level: Associate; Employment type: Full-time; Job function: Management and Manufacturing.
Note: This description may include links to related roles or location-specific postings for visibility; only the core role details above constitute the job description.
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