Environment Agency
High Hazard (COMAH) Principal Regulatory Officer - 35809
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Job Description
Are you ready to make a real difference?
Join our High Hazard specialist team as a Principal Regulatory Officer. We’re committed to improving our regulatory practices and framework. To achieve this, we’re looking for a Principal Regulatory Officer to provide assurance on the quality of the regulatory delivery at COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards) sites across England.
This role is for a nationally recognised expert, responsible for delivering complex COMAH compliance activities while managing significant environmental and reputational risk. You’ll work across high-hazard industries, collaborating with internal networks, partner organisations, and Competent Authority partners to ensure a consistent national regulatory approach.
Responsibilities
The role involves leading regulation of complex and nationally significant COMAH sites, assessing operators’ ability to prevent major accidents and protect the environment. You’ll lead site inspections, investigations and enforcement action for serious environmental incidents, alongside resolving complex technical and reputational issues. You may also support with wider high hazard regulatory activities, including regulating oil refineries.
Strong influencing and negotiation skills are essential, as you’ll engage with senior industry leaders, communities and stakeholders.
You’ll provide expert input to national investigations, fulfil key roles within the COMAH Competent Authority, and help shape COMAH regulatory strategy/delivery at a national level. Alongside strategic responsibilities, you will plan and deliver your team’s COMAH work programme across multiple areas.
A core part of the role is leadership - overseeing performance, managing quality and workload, developing less experienced staff, and contributing to workforce planning, capability assessment, and training to strengthen COMAH regulation nationwide.
This role attracts an additional allowance of £4,750 for specialist expertise in COMAH regulation. It is payable after appointment, provided you meet eligibility criteria. To qualify, you’ll need significant COMAH or high-hazard industry experience and a relevant degree or equivalent technical expertise.
Essential criteria
- Knowledge and practical application of the COMAH regime.
- Understanding of the COMAH Regulations or previous regulatory or industry experience in this regime.
- Excellent influencing skills and success in developing good relations in complex environments.
- Experience of working with partner organisations to address joint initiatives and regulatory duties.
- A strong commitment to people development with experience of training and coaching others.
- Degree in a Scientific or Engineering subject or comparable external industrial experience.
- Membership of a relevant professional body with Chartered status or working towards Chartered status.
- Full UK driving licence.
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Desirable criteria
- Regulatory experience across a range of complex sites and regimes.
- Experience of delivering results through others and providing strategic and tactical direction.
- A proven track record of taking initiative and using a continuous improvement approach.
The team
You’ll be part of a team reporting to a High Hazard Team Leader, working with other Regulatory Officers.
You’ll work directly with site operators, while collaborating with national and local colleagues to improve COMAH delivery and assurance. Your team will deliver their regulatory plan by carrying out robust inspections, audits and investigating incidents.
You’ll have an office base location, but the role requires regular travel for site visits and fieldwork.
Contact and additional information
You'll be recruited into a specific area with a designated office base, but flexibility is essential. The role involves working with colleagues in other locations, adapting to changing priorities, and supporting projects and investigations that protect people and the environment.
Regular travel, including site visits and fieldwork is required, along with occasional national travel and overnight stays.
Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams and will include competency-based questions and a technical assessment.
Successful candidates must pass a criminal record check and Counter Terrorism Check.
If you agree to join a reserve list, we'll retain your details for six months and may contact you about similar roles.
Please read the Additional Information Pack for further details.
For queries, contact regulationresourcing@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Competence 1
Legislative Knowledge
Description
Applies a knowledge of statutory environmental and technical requirements to protect both the Environment Agency and the environment.
Question
This role requires knowledge and practical application of the COMAH regime and a relevant scientific or engineering degree (or equivalent experience). Please explain how your background demonstrates these requirements.
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.
Question
Describe a time when you successfully persuaded an operator or senior stakeholder to follow your advice to secure a substantial improvement in compliance or safety performance.
Competence 3
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.
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Question
Give an example of a time when you had to make a key decision or solve a complex compliance issue and explain how your actions ensured the organisation met its regulatory requirements.
Role specific license requirements
Full UK Driving Licence
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.
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