Water Resources Regulation Advisor - Improving Water Company Regulation - 31789

Water Resources Regulation Advisor - Improving Water Company Regulation - 31789
1
National
All
Staff Grade 5
Permanent
Environment & Sustainability
Full Time
£41,617

21/09/2025, 23:55 hours

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.

Do you enjoy working with colleagues across different teams to make significant environmental improvements?

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Improving Water Company Regulation team, part of the Environment and Business Directorate (E&B). We’re looking for a motivated and inspired individual who is passionate about delivering efficient and effective regulation of the water industry.

You will work alongside a Senior Advisor leading on Water Resources (abstraction and impounding activities) enforcement and policy development.

As an Advisor in the IWCR team you will play a pivotal role in how we drive improvements in the Water Industry. You will:
• Support the implementation of regulatory powers introduced via new legislation.
• Provide technical support and responses to queries relating the use of enforcement powers.
• Support others to use a wide variety of enforcement tools to address poor water company performance, ensuring a nationally consistent approach to regulation.
• Develop and introduce new procedures, guidance and training to improve how we carry out water industry compliance and enforcement.
• Use your communication skills to develop training, guidance and other resources to help establish new ways of working, embedding them as business-as-usual activities.
• Build networks and collaborate with other Water Industry and enforcement colleagues across the business to ensure that we are producing high quality products.
• Work closely with your IWCR colleagues to support them with the enforcement aspects of their portfolios.
You’ll join the Improving Water Company Regulation Team. We are a friendly, dispersed team who lead on the development and delivery of projects to improve internal ways of working and the regulation of the Water Industry, through regulatory clarity and an intelligence led approach.

We’re part of the Environment and Business (E&B) Directorate. We inform and deliver the government's key environmental objectives; using evidence, expertise, engagement, innovation, and influencing policy to secure a better environment.
We are looking for a talented, dynamic team member to support the development and delivery of initiatives and projects designed to improve regulation of the water industry.

In your capability-based answers please demonstrate your:

• Water Industry water resources or enforcement technical knowledge (desirable).
• Ability to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and actively encourage others to consider diversity issues in their work.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills – you’ll be able to identify your audience, understand their needs, and use an effective and engaging style of communication.
• Ability to lead, plan and manage work areas.
• Ability to respond to tight deadlines, prioritise, and work quickly and accurately.
• Ability to solve complex processes and technical queries.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with others.

You’ll have a range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided.
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. #LI-DNI R

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 jake.houghton@environment-agency.gov.uk.

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

Interviews will be held via MS Teams in October.

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.
Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.

If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview.

Feedback is generally not available at sift stage.

Capability:

Identifies and seizes the opportunity to create, introduce and implement new or improved methods, processes and without, compromising quality or accuracy.

Please tell us about a time when you have developed and/or improved a process and implemented this.
Influences and Persuades Others
Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail.

Please tell us about a time when you have influenced a person or group to change an established way of working, where using logic alone would have failed.
Communicates Effectively
Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.

Please tell us a time when you have conveyed complex information or ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through a variety of methods.
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.