Senior Advisor Water Quality Compliance - 34289

Senior Advisor Water Quality Compliance - 34289
1
National
All
Staff Grade 6
Permanent
Environment & Sustainability
Full Time, Part Time, Compressed Hours
£54,940

20/06/2026, 23:55 hours

ER06 Job Family Role Profile Environment & Regulation, Grade 6

Basic Check

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.

Are you passionate about improving the way we regulate discharges to the water environment?

Are you keen to support our area delivery of water quality regulation?

We are looking for an Advisor to join the Environment and Business (E&B) Water Quality Compliance, Incidents and Enforcement team. The team supports area operations to deliver water quality regulation by giving direction, guidance and technical support.

This is a varied and role which will lead work in key areas for example, writing operational guidance to drive regulatory improvements, providing a national steer to networks and technical groups, reviewing and collating data for KPI’s and playing a key role in joint EA/Water Company task and finish groups.

This is an exciting time to join our team working to protect and improve the water quality of our rivers through effective and efficient regulation of both permitted and unpermitted discharges to the water environment.

You’ll have an inclusive incident management objective in your development plan, so we’ll support you to find an incident role to suit your needs and circumstances.  Appropriate training will be given.

You’ll join our Compliance, Incidents and Enforcement Team in the Water department of Environment and Business (E&B) Directorate.

We’re a dispersed team and work with a wide range of technical and project teams across the country.

In E&B we promote a positive, inclusive, and supportive culture where everyone feels valued. We use evidence, expertise, and innovation to enhance and support delivery, influence policy, legislation and secure resources.

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

Essential

  • extensive experience of water quality compliance gained through operational experience
  • experience of water quality incident response and water quality compliance procedures
  • practical knowledge of water quality systems and processes
  • experience of dealing with external customers particularly Water Companies

Desirable

  • experience of writing guidance or operational instructions
  • experience of developing and/or delivering technical training
  • awareness of EA/Water Company task and finish groups or technical working groups
  • CIWEM membership
  • experience of our internal compliance networks

You’ll have a range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided.

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, but some travel and overnight stays may be required.

For more information about working for us, who to contact regarding these roles and how to apply please read the Candidate Pack and Additional information document.

If you have any queries, or want to discuss the role, please contact

Applications will be “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.

Interviews will be held using MS Teams.

If you consent to be recruited onto a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and we may offer you an alternative post.

Securing Compliance
Please tell us about a complex compliance issue that you have addressed. Who did you work with to find a solution? What were the risks and opportunities? Were there any wider implications or precedents to be mindful of?
Delivers Results Through Others
Please give a example of how you have worked across teams to deliver a joint project or piece of work. How did you get the commitment, buy in and resources that you needed?
Focuses on Customers and Partners
Please tell us about a time when you could not provide what an internal or external customer wanted. How did you manage their expectations? How did you maintain a positive and professional relationship?
Legislative Knowledge
Please tell us about your water quality legislative knowledge and experience and how you have used this to protect the environment. Also please tell about your experience of contributing the Agency’s wider responsibilities eg GDPR and Environmental Information Regulations.
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 . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the  Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.