We have an exciting opportunity for professional individuals with science or engineering qualifications and/or relevant experience of working in process industry, to regulate sites operating in a range of industrial sectors including Chemicals, Combustion, Waste Incineration, Food and Drink, Paper & Pulp, and Hazardous Waste treatment.

Supporting and regulating industry will place you at the forefront of our aims to enable: 

• Healthy air, land, and water, 
• Sustainable growth, and 
• A nation resilient to climate change.

Your role will require you to use a wide range of regulatory and enforcement tools:

• Site-based audits at industrial sites, assessing data and information to make written assessments of the operator’s ability to protect the environment, prevent pollution and optimise use of resources.
• Desk-top assessments of monitoring data, operational procedures and management systems.
• Influencing and negotiating with operators to secure best practice, often dealing with people at senior levels within industry and the local stakeholder communities.
• Where necessary setting conditions under which a site may continue to operate and enforcing the law should they fail to comply.
• Responding to and investigating environmental incidents and regulatory breaches, ensuring that suitable remedial and enforcement actions are implemented.

You will need to be comfortable with a changing work environment and organisation, as we continue to transform the way we work, making our business more efficient and improving our customer service.

At the Environment Agency we aspire for inclusivity to thrive in our workforce. We embrace equal opportunities and flexible work arrangements, ensuring everyone can contribute and succeed.

Are you passionate about protecting the environment whilst helping industry thrive?

Our team is part of the Regulated Industry department, based in the Northeast. We cover the Tees Valley industry cluster, Cleveland, Northumberland, Durham, and Tyne and Wear.   

We regulate industry mainly under the Environmental Permitting Regulations but as part of the Joint Competent Authority, we also regulate sites alongside the Health and Safety Executive under the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations. 

Essential Criteria 

-Technical knowledge of process industry, pollution control and experience of regulating under the Environmental Permitting regime and/or significant industrial experience such as chemicals manufacturing, pharmaceutical, hazardous waste treatment or energy sectors. 

-Regulatory compliance experience through inspection/auditing as a regulator or from your relevant industrial experience. 

-Excellent communication, reporting and influencing skills in complex environments. 

-Ability to work independently, delivering regulatory compliance and enforcement work using multiple IT systems in line with a work plan, providing assurance to your manager. 

-Experience of working with internal and external partners addressing joint initiatives and regulatory duties. 

-Proactive continuous improvement approach. 

-Degree (or equivalent) in science, environmental or engineering subject or comparable experience. 

-Full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable Criteria 

-Membership of a relevant professional institution or working towards. 

-Environmental Management Systems auditing and root cause analysis knowledge. 

-Experience of interpreting environmental monitoring and performance data.

-Incident response experience (multi-agency approach desirable)

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.

You’ll be based either in our Newcastle or Darlington office, hybrid working is possible.

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 Iain Barker Jones on 02030255318 or [email protected]

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

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.