Number of jobs available: 1
Region: National
City/Town: All
Grade: Staff Grade 6
Post Type: Permanent
Role Type: Environment & Sustainability
Working Pattern: Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Part Time Term Time, Compressed Hours, Other
Salary Minimum: £54,940
Closing Date: 19/10/2025, 23:55 hours
Job description attachment 1
Job Profile – 32034.docx – 58KB
Converted File Job Profile – 32034.docx.pdf – 90KB
Job description attachment 2
E&B Additional Information Pack.pdf – 1898KB
Candidate pack
Candidate Pack – 32034.docx – 2043KB
Converted File Candidate Pack – 32034.docx.pdf – 720KB
Security checks level: Basic Check
Job description
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 driven to make a real difference in environmental regulation? Do you thrive on collaboration and leading change? This is an exciting opportunity to join the Improving Water Company Regulation (IWCR) team within the Environment and Business Directorate (E&B).
We’re seeking a motivated and inspired individual to help shape and deliver improvements in how we regulate the Water Industry. You’ll work alongside the Senior Advisor leading on Water Quality Investigation and Enforcement to drive forward our ambitions.
In this role, you will:
- Use excellent influencing skills to embed our Water Industry Reducing Environmental Offending Strategy across all of Water Regulation.
- Build strong networks and relationships across the business to ensure the consistent delivery of Water Industry enforcement initiatives.
- Collaborate with portfolio leads within IWCR to identify opportunities to align compliance and enforcement improvements.
- Translate complex policy and processes into clear operational guidance and training.
- Horizon-scan for emerging risks, opportunities and developments in Water Industry enforcement, helping to shape an effective programme of improvements.
- Communicate change effectively, securing stakeholder buy-in and adapting to feedback.
This is a high-impact role that offers the chance to influence national regulatory practice and deliver meaningful environmental outcomes.
The team
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.
Experience/skills required
In your capability-based answers, please demonstrate the following:
- technical understanding of the Water Industry or enforcement (desirable but not essential).
- ability to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and actively encourage others to consider diversity issues in their work.
- capacity to absorb new information quickly and understand complex processes.
- 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.
- your ability to adapt your communication style to suit the audience.
- proven track record of completing work and producing it to an excellent standard.
- ability to think creatively, challenge existing approaches, and identify opportunities for improvement.
You’ll be supported with development opportunities and appropriate training to help you succeed in the role.
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. #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 stephanie.illsley@environment-agency.gov.uk
Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.
Interviews will be held via MS Teams in October and November.
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: Shapes organisational approach & delivery
Description
Informs Government Policy and / or designs, implements and supports an approach to translate it into cost-effective operational activity delivering outcomes for people and the environment
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.
QUESTION:
Give an example of a time when you developed or implemented a new approach to address a complex challenge. How did you ensure it was embedded effectively, and what impact did it have on delivery or stakeholder outcomes?
Competence 2: Influences and Persuades Others
Description
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.
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
QUESTION:
Describe a time when you needed to influence others to gain support or agreement. How did you tailor your approach to different individuals or groups, and what was the result?
Competence 3: Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality
Description
Identifies and seizes the opportunity to create, introduce and implement new or improved methods, processes and without, compromising quality or accuracy.
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
QUESTION:
Describe a time when you identified an opportunity to improve efficiency or accuracy within a process, service or way of working. What actions did you take, what was the outcome, and what would you do differently if faced with a similar situation again?
Competence 4: 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.
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
QUESTION:
Describe a time when you were responsible for delivering a project or piece of work with defined goals or milestones. How did you manage progress and respond to challenges?
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.
