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.
This is a national role, so you can be based at any Environment Agency office.
Responsibilities
* Lead the resolution of complex non-compliance issues and manage enforcement action under the Reservoirs Act 1975.
* Act as account manager for undertakers, including water companies; support proactive engagement, identify risk early, and drive compliance through risk-based interventions.
* Lead high-risk non-compliance casework using the Compliance Action Plan (CAP) model; represent enforcement in account meetings; contribute to Balmforth Review recommendations and Environmental Permitting Regulations reform; liaise with engineers, legal advisors, and regulators to manage public safety risks.
* Undertake mandatory training and participate in incident response duties as part of Environment Agency operations.
Experience and skills
* Experience managing complex regulatory or enforcement cases with strong communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
* Ability to manage conflict constructively, stay resilient, and maintain 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; 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.
Other information
* We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns, including job share. Please indicate your preferred working arrangements on your application.
* Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability; interview is guaranteed to anyone with a disability meeting the minimum criteria.
* The Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service; check your status with your HR team if unsure about continuous service or eligibility for redundancy calculation rules.
* We cannot engage with the market directly through post, email, or phone for external recruitment purposes; visit Crown Commercial Service information for becoming a supplier if relevant.
Notes on AI usage
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application; all examples and statements must be truthful and taken from your own experience. Plagiarism or presenting AI-generated content as your own may lead to withdrawal of your application.
Contact and how to apply
* Zoe Wilson, Senior Team Leader – zoe.wilson@environment-agency.gov.uk
* Karl Hunter, Enforcement Adviser – karl.hunter@environment-agency.gov.uk
Interviews
Interviews will take place remotely by Microsoft Teams on the 22nd and 23rd of October. As part of the interview, candidates may 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 assesses communication and presentation skills using the Communicates Effectively competency.
Competencies
* Influences and Persuades Others – Describe a time you influenced someone who disagreed with your position; outline approach and outcome.
* Communicates Effectively – Explain complex/technical information to someone unfamiliar with the topic; describe tailoring of communication and results.
* Achieves Results – Give an example of driving forward a challenging piece of work; how you kept it on track and impact.
* Customer and Partner Relations – Provide an example of consultation and collaboration with customers or partners to promote EA duties and policies.
We also include notes about Civil Service status and continuous service, and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.
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