Role Overview
Senior Regulatory Officer – responsible for delivering COMAH compliance activities while managing significant environmental and reputational risk across high‑hazard sites in England. The role leads regulation of complex, nationally significant COMAH sites, assesses operators’ ability to prevent major accidents, and protects the environment. It requires a locally recognised expert who can work with internal networks, partner organisations, and Competent Authority partners to ensure a consistent regulatory approach.
Responsibilities
• Lead site inspections, investigations and enforcement action for serious environmental incidents.
• Resolve complex technical and reputational issues, provide expert input into investigations, and shape COMAH regulatory strategy and delivery at a local level.
• Assist in planning and delivery of the team’s COMAH work programme across multiple areas, oversee performance, manage quality and workload, develop less experienced staff, and contribute to workforce planning and training.
• Travel regularly for site visits and fieldwork; base is an office location.
Essential Criteria
* Knowledge of the COMAH regime and industrial experience across a range of chemical or energy industries.
* Practical application of regulatory compliance.
* Influencing skills and success in developing good relations in complex environments.
* Ability to work independently to deliver a programme of work in line with a work plan, providing assurance to management.
* Work with partner organisations to address joint initiatives and regulatory duties.
* Taking initiative and using a continuous improvement approach.
* Degree (or equivalent) ideally in a science or engineering subject or comparable external industrial experience.
* Full UK driving licence.
Desirable Criteria
* People development experience through coaching and mentoring.
* Membership of a relevant professional institution or working towards.
* Familiarity with environmental management systems, auditing and root‑cause analysis.
* Experience of interpreting environmental monitoring and performance data.
Additional Information
The role attracts an additional allowance of £4,750 for specialist expertise in COMAH regulation. This allowance is payable after appointment, provided you meet eligibility criteria.
Competencies
Competence 1: Legislative Knowledge
Description: Applies a knowledge of statutory environmental and technical requirements to protect both the Environment Agency and the environment.
Question: This role requires knowledge and practical application of the COMAH regime and a relevant scientific or engineering degree (or equivalent experience). Please explain how your background demonstrates these requirements.
Competence 2: Influences and Persuades Others
Description: Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail.
Question: Give an example where you successfully influenced others to make an important improvement in compliance, safety or environmental performance.
Competence 3: Achieves Results
Description: Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets, prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.
Question: Tell us about a time you applied your knowledge of legislation or guidance to resolve a compliance or environmental issue.
Competence 4: Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description: Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.
Question: Tell us about a decision you made in relation to a compliance, safety or environmental issue that required careful thought and analysis.
EEO Statement
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all vacancies, including job share, and have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
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