Senior Advisor - Chemicals and Water - 31861

Senior Advisor – Chemicals and Water – 31861

We are looking for a motivated strategic thinker to influence environmental regulation and reduce chemical risks in our water environment through smart, evidence-based policy. This role sits in the Chemicals Surveillance and Emerging Risks team within the Chemicals Programme, contributing to national strategy and delivering smarter environmental protection.

This role focuses on chemicals in water and offers the opportunity 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Support online management responsibilities where applicable, contributing to the growth and development of others in the team.

Experience / Skills Required

We are seeking 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 should 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 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 may have opportunities to take online management responsibilities and support the growth and development of others in the team. The Environment Agency is committed to an inclusive workforce and flexible working patterns, including job sharing. Some travel and overnights will be required; MS Teams will be used for dispersed teamwork, with occasional face-to-face meetings usually in Birmingham or Bristol.

Location: EA office base with national scope; working location is flexible. We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel where possible.

Application process

Applications are blind assessed based on competency questions. Interviews will be conducted via MS Teams. If you are applying from the Civil Service, note that the Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service. We offer a Guaranteed Interview Policy for applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria.

For queries, contact melanie.farmer@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Expiring status: This listing does not indicate that the role is closed. If you see this note in the original posting, please verify via the official recruitment channel.