Senior Advisor - Chemicals and Water - 31861

Senior Advisor – Chemicals and Water – 31861

Are you a motivated strategic thinker with a passion for shaping environmental regulation? If you\’re driven to reduce chemical risks in our water environment through smart, evidence-based policy, we want to hear from you.

Join our Chemicals Surveillance and Emerging Risks team as a Senior Advisor and play a leading role in how we tackle chemicals of concern. This is a unique opportunity to work within the wider Chemicals Programme, influencing national strategy and delivering smarter, more effective environmental protection. This role focuses on chemicals in water and offers the chance to shape the chemicals component of the Price Review programme, contribute to the Chemicals Investigation Programme, and ensure chemical risks are addressed through permit reviews and regulatory innovation.

As a senior chemicals lead, you will:

• Lead development of our chemical strategy for 2030–2035 through the Price Review programme
• Ensure effective delivery of AMP8 and AMP9
• Review high-risk permitted activities
• Influence national plans through collaboration with Defra, the water industry, and other stakeholders
• Provide technical leadership across teams, mentoring colleagues and promoting innovation
• Translate evidence into action to deliver environmental outcomes
• Potentially take online management responsibilities to support growth and development of others

We’re looking for a confident, experienced professional with an interest in policy development ready to lead on one of the most important environmental challenges of our time.

The Environment Agency is committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We value diversity and strive to create an inclusive environment for staff, communities, and the environment.

Team and working arrangement

Join the Chemicals Surveillance and Emerging Risks Team within the Chemicals Programme, part of the Environment and Business Directorate. We identify emerging chemical risks, use evidence to shape policy, and guide regulatory responses. As a dispersed team, you’ll work via MS Teams and travel for face-to-face meetings, usually in Birmingham or Bristol. We promote a positive, inclusive, supportive culture, leveraging evidence, expertise, and innovation to enhance delivery, influence legislation, and secure resources.

Experience/skills Required

We are looking for a strategic, self-motivated individual with knowledge of the water industry, water quality planning and permitting processes including Price Review cycles and River Basin Management Planning. You’ll be confident working across policy, regulation, and stakeholder engagement to influence national programmes and deliver environmental outcomes.

• Degree or equivalent experience in environmental science, policy, or related fields
• Understanding of water industry planning, regulation and/or permitting
• Strong stakeholder engagement/relationship-building skills, including with government and industry
• Strategic thinking and data analysis skills in environmental planning or water quality
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate technical and scientific information into clear, actionable policy
• Leadership in projects, programmes, or people, with a collaborative and inclusive approach
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities

Desirable:

• Awareness of environmental risks posed by chemicals and regulations
• Membership of a relevant professional body

Additional information

You’ll have an inclusive incident management objective in your development plan. Appropriate training will be given. The EA base location is flexible; as a national role, some travel is required. Some travel and overnights will be required. Read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for details. For queries, contact melanie.farmer@environment-agency.gov.uk. Applications are blind-assessed using competency questions. Interviews will be via MS Teams. If you consent to being on a reserve list, we may keep your details for 6 months and offer an alternative post.

Competencies

• Shapes organisational approach & delivery — translating direction into operational activity delivering environmental outcomes
• Takes Decisions and Solves Problems — coordinates information to solve technical problems
• Influences and Persuades Others — presenting a case to gain support for plans
• Manages Self — awareness of strengths/weaknesses and ongoing professional development

Location and status

• Senior level, Full-time

The Environment Agency welcomes flexible working patterns and has a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support applicants with a disability. For details on status and civil service eligibility, refer to the Candidate Pack.

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