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’s 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.
• You may also have the opportunity to take online management responsibilities, supporting the growth and development of others in the team.

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 fully committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We don’t just talk about diversity, we live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities, and our environment.

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.

Essential experience:

• Degree or equivalent experience in environmental science/policy/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.

Contact and additional information

You’ll have an inclusive incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll help you find a role to suit your needs. Appropriate training will be given. The EA office base location is flexible; travel and some overnight stays are required. Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries, contact melanie.farmer@environment-agency.gov.uk. Applications are blind assessed using competency questions. Interviews will be held via MS Teams. If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns for all vacancies, including job share. We also guarantee an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, a Non-Departmental Public Body, uses Central Government frameworks and contracts for external recruitment. For information about becoming a supplier through the Crown Commercial Service, please visit the government link.