Senior Environment Officer x8

Location(s): Nottingham / Newcastle or Darlington / Warrington, Preston or Penrith / Lincoln, Kettering, Peterborough, Brampton or Bedford / London Abbey Wood (+£2,117 PA outer London weighting for this location only) / Tolgus, Bodmin, Launceston or Exeter / Canterbury or Addington / Bridgwater, Chippenham or Blandford Forum

Number of roles available: 8

Post Type: Permanent, Full-time (part-time to be considered on a case-by-case basis)

About us

Are you ready to take on a role that makes a real difference? Join the Environment Agency’s new water industry regulation teams and help lead the fight against growing and increasingly complex environmental crime.

We continue to change the way we regulate water companies. Our regulation teams work to hold underperforming operators to account and ensure compliance with environmental law. While we recognise their crucial role in managing the water cycle - collecting, treating and returning water to the environment - it’s essential they do so without causing environmental harm.

Our work includes preventing pollution, the regulation of sewage treatment works, storm overflows and ensuring compliance across the sewerage network. With increased scrutiny of sewage pollution and its effects, we’re more determined than ever to raise standards, strengthen regulation and protect the environment. We’re driving improved performance, accountability, and better use of our resources to create lasting environmental outcomes.

We’re recruiting now because the work is urgent and growing - this is a pivotal moment to join the Environment Agency, as we’re actively involved in shaping the future of water regulation in England.

What’s in it for you? 

You’ll be part of a supportive organisation that values difference and promotes inclusivity, as well as having the flexibility and trust to make a meaningful impact.

We also offer:

• A salary of £41,617 per annum
• A generous pension scheme (currently 19% of pensionable pay)
• 27 days annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays
• Standby and incident response payments
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Two paid environmental outcome days each year to volunteer in your community
• Extensive training and career development
• Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave

Part-time working will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Why choose us

Make a meaningful impact: At the Environment Agency, your work has a real and lasting effect on the quality of our environment. Regulating the water industry is a key priority. By promoting responsible water use and protecting vital ecosystems, your role helps preserve the natural world for future generations.

Dynamic and rewarding work: Join a proactive, passionate team tackling environmental challenges on a national scale. You’ll collaborate with like-minded professionals in a supportive and forward-thinking environment, where your input truly makes a difference.

Focus on results: Our work delivers real-world change. Whether it’s enforcing regulations or restoring damaged water environments, we take action that benefits both people and nature.

Continuous development: We’re committed to developing your skills and knowledge. With tailored training, mentoring and access to the latest tools and technologies, you’ll be supported in developing your skills and progressing your career in environmental regulation.

Values-driven organisation: Integrity, transparency, and environmental responsibility guide everything we do. You’ll be part of an organisation that’s genuinely committed to building a more sustainable and resilient future.

What will you do?

As a Senior Environment Officer, you’ll be instrumental in ensuring water companies act responsibly and operate within the law. You’ll help prevent harm to people and the environment by holding companies to account. A Senior Environment Officer will also:

• Plan and deliver complex regulatory activities, including site inspections, audits, and incident investigations.
• Where necessary, you’ll take enforcement action - sometimes providing evidence in court.
• Help shape industry standards, mentor and coach junior officers, and set a strong example as a role model.
• Provide guidance and quality assurance to ensure our work meets the highest regulatory and environmental standards.
• Provide technical advice to managers and contribute to programmes aimed at raising regulatory performance across the sector.

You'll be recruited into a specific area with a designated office base, but flexibility is important - you may be required to work with teams in other locations or adapt to changing priorities across different areas.

What do you need?

We’re looking for individuals who can demonstrate the following:

• An understanding of how water company operations affect the environment, ideally with at least three years’ experience in the water sector, particularly in regulation or compliance. However, we also welcome candidates with relevant skills, transferable experience and a strong motivation to protect the environment.
• Are confident and proactive self-starters, driven to achieve results and ready to bring fresh, innovative ideas to the table.
• Regulatory knowledge, strong communication, and mentoring abilities which will help you lead by example. Managing competing priorities requires excellent planning and organisation.

A background in science or engineering will be advantageous. A relevant professional membership is desirable, but not essential, as we will support you in achieving this.

We also welcome applications from candidates who may not meet the full experience requirements but can demonstrate relevant skills, transferable experience, and a passion for environmental protection.

A full UK driving licence is essential, as the role may involve travel across a wide geographic area.

Additional information

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.

Everyone joining a new role will receive a warm welcome and full support, including the equipment, training and guidance needed to thrive.

You will be required to take on an incident role to help us respond effectively to incidents or support business continuity. These roles may attract additional pay, with full training and flexible working arrangements provided. We offer a range of incident roles and will work with you to find the best fit.

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. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Please note that providing false or misleading information at any stage of the application or recruitment process may result in withdrawal of your application, or where applicable, disciplinary action in line with internal processes

We will maintain a reserve list for 12 months and may offer similar roles at other locations linked to this position.

Please note: Candidates selected for interview will be notified by email at least five days in advance. Please check both your inbox and junk mail folders to ensure you don’t miss our message

Advert close: Monday 29th September

Interviews to be held: w/c Monday 20th October, w/c Monday 27th October