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.
Responsibilities
* 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.
* 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. Liaise with engineers, legal advisors, and other regulators to ensure public safety risks are effectively managed.
* 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.
Team and location
This is a national role; you can be based at any Environment Agency office. The Reservoir Regulation Team is a nationally dispersed team of 25+ specialists who regulate over 2,140 large raised reservoirs across England. The team is based across the country, and some travel and overnight stays will be required.
Experience and skills required
* Experience of managing complex regulatory or enforcement cases with strong communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
* Ability to manage conflict constructively and remain resilient while maintaining 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 is essential, as is the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders, including undertakers, engineers, legal advisors, and internal leadership.
Desirable experience
* Knowledge of the Reservoirs Act 1975, enforcement frameworks, public safety regulation, or infrastructure management.
* Familiarity with Balmforth Review recommendations or Environmental Permitting Regulations reform is an advantage.
* Organised, adaptable, and motivated to deliver results through collaboration and regulatory impact.
Contact and interviews
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. You will 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 is to assess your communication skills and presentation style using the Competence framework.
Competences
* Influences and Persuades Others
* Communicates Effectively
* Achieves Results
* Customer and Partner Relations
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns for all vacancies, including job share. We have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability. The Environment Agency is committed to equality of opportunity and to safeguarding public safety. We also have guidance on the use of artificial intelligence for applications; all examples must be truthful and taken from your own experience.
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