Senior Advisor (COMAH) - 31022

The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don’t just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it, and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities, and our environment.

The Environment Agency (EA) is part of the competent authority that enforces the Control of Major Accident Hazard regulations (COMAH) in England. You will lead on working with competent authority (CA) members to develop and roll out regulatory approaches. This involves influencing to ensure environmental considerations are suitably addressed by COMAH policy.

We work with a range of stakeholders to continually improve industry practice, including lessons learned from accidents. You will provide expert advice and support to operational teams, and the tools and training to ensure we deliver COMAH effectively with an appropriate level of competence. You will ensure that monitoring and reporting commitments are met, and commission and manage projects to fill gaps in our knowledge.

We work closely with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as the regime owner as well as the other CA partners to coordinate delivery and promote the EA’s goals and reputation. You will represent the EA at coordinating forums and lead a series of working groups. You will advise senior managers in their engagement with our partners and provide guidance on response to risks and issues. You’ll have an incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll support you to find an incident role to suit your needs and circumstances. Appropriate training will be given.

This role also has an additional £4750 uplift to the annual salary for candidates who have a relevant scientific degree and can demonstrate they have significant experience working in industry or as a regulator in the COMAH regime.

The team: You’ll join our Energy and COMAH team, part of the Environment & Business Directorate. In E&B we promote a positive, inclusive, and supportive culture where everyone feels valued. We use evidence, expertise, engagement, and innovation to enhance and support delivery, influence policy, legislation, and secure resources. The team also works closely with government, industry, partner regulators and academia both nationally and internationally.

Experience/skills Required:

• 5 year residency in UK
• You must have a relevant engineering or a science degree, or significant experience equivalent to this, which includes a working knowledge of COMAH regulations and practice.
• Technical knowledge of industrial processes, industrial risk control and associated environmental controls.
• Advanced knowledge of COMAH regulations and their application in industry.
• Excellent, proactive communication skills including the ability to influence others.
• Ability to develop and maintain good relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work on your own initiative, take decisions and solve problems.

In your capability-based answers please demonstrate your ability to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and actively encourage others to consider diversity issues in their work.

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. You’ll have an EA Office base location, as a national role the working location is flexible / hybrid. We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel, some travel and overnights may be required.

Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries, contact charlotte.sholl@environment-agency.gov.uk. Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions. Interviews will be held via MS Teams within two weeks of the closing date. 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.

Competence 1: Legislative Knowledge

Description: Detailed knowledge and experience of application of Control of Major Accident Hazard regulations either in a regulatory or industrial situation.

Question: As a COMAH senior advisor strong legislative knowledge is key to your role, in supporting others and influencing stakeholders. Describe a time when you have applied your COMAH regulatory knowledge to address an environmental issue, and the outcome you achieved.

Competence 2: Achieves Results

Description: Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.

Question: Please describe a time when you were responsible for delivering a complex task to achieve specific safety and/or environmental protection results with a fixed deadline. Tell us about how you approached the task, managed your time and prioritised and organised tasks, and resources, to ensure timely achievement of the desired results.

Competence 3: Builds and Sustains Relationships

Description: Develops and maintains effective working relationships.

Question: Please describe a time when you have built an effective working relationship with a new group of people that had different perspectives to you. Explain what challenges that posed for your relationship and how you addressed them to achieve your desired outcome.

If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application. We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls.