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. This is a national role that can be based at any Environment Agency office.
Responsibilities
* Act as account manager for undertakers, including water companies, to support proactive engagement, identify risk early, and drive compliance through consistent, 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 the future Environmental Permitting Regulations regime.
* Liaise with engineers, legal advisors, and other regulators to ensure public safety risks are effectively managed.
* Participate in training and incident response duties as required to support communities and protect the environment.
* Collaborate with a nationally dispersed team in the Environmental Assessment and Reservoir Regulation department within Flood & Coastal Risk Management (FCRM).
Experience and Skills (What we're looking for)
* Experience in managing complex regulatory or enforcement cases with strong communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
* Ability to manage conflict constructively, stay resilient under challenge, and 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 to engage a wide range of stakeholders, including undertakers, engineers, legal advisers, and 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.
What matters to us
* Organised, adaptable, and motivated to deliver results through collaboration and regulatory impact.
* Commitment to an inclusive, diverse workforce and flexible working patterns, including job share.
Training and Incidents
All successful candidates will undertake training and participate in incident response duties as needed. Incident response is an essential part of working for the Environment Agency.
Team and Location
The Reservoir Regulation Team regulates over 2,140 large raised reservoirs across England. The team is national in scope with 25+ specialists and some travel and overnight stays will be required.
Experience/Skills Required
* We are seeking someone with experience of managing complex regulatory or enforcement cases, with strong communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
* Confidence in handling conflict, resilience, and a focus on compliance and public safety.
* Ability to analyse legal/technical information, assess risk, and provide sound recommendations; strong written and verbal communication; ability to engage stakeholders including undertakers, engineers, legal advisers, and internal leadership.
Qualifications and Desirable Knowledge
* Desirable knowledge: Reservoirs Act 1975; enforcement frameworks; public safety regulation; infrastructure management.
* Familiarity with Balmforth Review recommendations or Environmental Permitting Regulations reform is advantageous.
Interview and Assessment
Interviews will be conducted remotely by Microsoft Teams on 22–23 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 assesses communication and presentation style. You may be asked to use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Competencies
* Influences and Persuades Others
* Communicates Effectively
* Achieves Results
* Customer and Partner Relations
Notes for Applicants
Please note: Artificial intelligence can support your application, but all examples must be truthful and taken from your own experience. Applications with plagiarised content may be withdrawn. The Environment Agency aligns with Civil Service guidance on AI usage.
Additional Information
We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working, including job share. We also offer a Guaranteed Interview Policy for applicants with a disability whose application meets minimum criteria. The Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service, and continuous service may differ for Crown Servants. If applying from local government or other bodies, you may be eligible for continuous service for redundancy purposes; contact your HR team if unsure.
We are unable to engage with the market directly via post, email, or phone for external recruitment. For supplier opportunities on Government frameworks, see Crown Commercial Service guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know
Eligibility and Compliance
We reserve the right to manage recruitment in line with Central Government frameworks.
#J-18808-Ljbffr