Location
Welwyn Garden City

Hours
Full-time, Permanent

Salary
£28,859 rising to £34,320 after approximately 18 months

About the Role
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, regulating 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.

Being an Environment Officer is one of the most vital roles within the Environment Agency. Our officers regulate everything from discharges into rivers, to operators of waste management facilities, farms, and other land-based activities across both urban and rural sites - all of which can impact the local environment. In this role, your primary focus will be on the regulation of one of the nine water companies operating nationally.

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 generous pension scheme (currently 19% of pensionable pay)
- 25 days of annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays
- Standby and incident response payments
- Flexible 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.

As an Environment Officer, based in one of our area offices, you'll be part of a frontline team focused on building a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment. You’ll regulate a designated water company, ensuring compliance with a range of environmental permits. This involves planning and carrying out compliance activities and taking enforcement action where necessary. In serious cases, this may include preparing evidence for legal proceedings.

This role provides continuous learning and the chance to develop a deep understanding of water industry regulation.

Key responsibilities include:
- Working collaboratively within your team, with support from colleagues and incident response staff
- Engaging with local businesses, communities, and operators using strong customer service skills
- Enforcing environmental regulations and helping water companies improve performance
- Travelling frequently—sometimes at short notice—to carry out inspections and respond to breaches

You’ll begin at our EOA grade and follow a structured development programme, typically progressing to EOB grade within 18 months upon demonstrating the required skills. Initial training includes residential sessions (3–5 days at a time over approximately three weeks), involving classroom learning on topics like regulatory legislation and environmental science, followed by field visits with experienced officers who will demonstrate the practical aspects of the role. Some travel and overnight stays will be required.

During this period, you’ll develop key skills in communication, influencing, and technical understanding of regulatory responsibilities, learning to apply legislation and determine compliance actions.

All necessary training, equipment, and clothing will be provided to ensure your safety.

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.

Experience
Relevant professional experience in science, environmental work or regulation. Experience of working with customers, with the ability to communicate effectively and adapt your style to different audiences.

About you
A passion for environmental improvement, resilience and commitment to learn. We welcome candidates from a range of backgrounds. While direct experience in a regulatory or scientific role is beneficial, it’s not the only route in. If you meet the essential requirements and bring scientific understanding, you are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications
A full UK driving licence.
GCSE Grade A – C / Grade 9 – 4, in a science-related subject, or equivalent.