Enforcement Advisor Reservoir Regulation Team - 31880

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 liaise with engineers, legal advisors, and other regulators to ensure public safety risks are effectively managed.

All colleagues undertake training and participate in incident response duties when necessary. Having an incident role is an essential part of working for the Environment Agency and supports communities and protects the environment.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and welcoming flexible working patterns for all vacancies, including job share. This is a national role and you can be based at any Environment Agency office.

Team and context

You will join the Environmental Assessment and Reservoir Regulation department within Flood & Coastal Risk Management. The Reservoir Regulation Team is a nationally dispersed group of 25+ specialists who regulate over 2,140 large raised reservoirs across England. As the enforcement authority for the Reservoirs Act 1975, we manage high-risk non-compliance using proportionate enforcement powers to protect public safety. Some travel and overnight stays are 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 focusing 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, with the ability to engage 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. Above all, be organized, adaptable, and motivated to deliver results through collaboration and regulatory impact.

How to apply and contact for information

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 be conducted remotely by Microsoft Teams on the 22nd and 23rd of October. As part of the interview, candidates will be asked to prepare and deliver a short 5-minute presentation on a provided topic to assess communication and presentation skills.

Competencies assessed

• Influences and Persuades Others
• Communicates Effectively
• Achieves Results
• Customer and Partner Relations

Additional notes

The Environment Agency is an inclusive employer and guarantees interviews to applicants with disabilities whose applications meet the minimum criteria. We welcome information about preferred working arrangements. We do not engage with the market directly via post, email, or phone calls for recruitment and may direct suppliers to Crown Commercial Service information where applicable.