Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Lead Specialist Advisor

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Lead Specialist Advisor - Industrial Regulation
Your passion has never had a greater purpose
Here at SEPA, we’re connected by a passion that drives us to be purposeful in every action we take - to protect our environment. Through our expertise, we lead projects that make a difference for Scotland, and our workplaces are grounded in respect for that expertise.
That’s why, when you join us as Lead Specialist Advisor, you’ll discover enriching benefits, meaningful support, and opportunities to learn every day. That’s what it means to be Passionately Purposeful - for our environment, and for your career.
Work that goes beyond your desk
Experts at what we do, we work in a professional way towards our shared goals, knowing the work we do makes a genuine, lasting difference on the environment. As Lead Specialist Advisor, that involves:
- Lead the provision of expert, robust professional data and advice on industrial environmental regulation including the development of guidance, procedures and training to support compliance, enforcement and assurance, drawing on SEPA-held data where available
- Monitor, analyse and respond to industrial environmental legislative and policy developments across Scottish and UK governments, including identifying and advising on potential legislative changes to inform Government and other regulators
- Lead the investigation and management of the most complex and high-profile cases and compliance assurance interventions
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, regulators, industry and political forums to ensure the organisation’s position is effectively represented, including collaborating on joint guidance and shared ways of working to support high standards of environmental protection
- Lead policy and/or strategy development, research and improvement for industrial activities, ensuring integration across portfolios and achieving all relevant outcomes, co-ordinating people and financial resources
- Supervise/mentor colleagues, monitor the quality of output and provide guidance, support and training where required
- Effective, demonstrable leadership skills, including strategic thinking, a clear solution focused mentality, strong collaborative skills, the ability to influence and resolve conflict, and effective project management and organisational capability
- Make regulatory recommendations, engage senior peer review where needed, and support Senior Managers in escalating significant or contentious matters
- Work collaboratively with other specialists in the team and across SEPA to ensure an informed One SEPA approach and outcome
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Respect for your expertise
This is a highly important role within our Regulation, Business & Environment portfolio, which means you’ll need:
- Relevant industrial experience or qualification equivalent to SCQF Level 10 (e.g. relevant Degree)
- A comprehensive knowledge of the legislation and policy relating to environmental industrial regulation
- Well-developed planning, analytical and project management skills together with strong interpersonal, consultative and negotiating skills
- Written skills are essential in report composition and the presentation of complex and detailed proposals and recommendations
- Demonstrate sound judgement and strong operational knowledge to resolve varied and complex issues
- Understand, interpret and communicate technical industry related reports, evidence and regulations
- Strong people skills, including empathy, tact and sound judgement when mentoring, supporting staff and balancing priorities
Please open the link to the Lead Specialist Advisor role profile link which outlines the core responsibilities and expectations of the role within a defined activity family. Please note the role profile name may be different to the job title being advertised.
Support that goes beyond the workplace
We’re cultivating a workplace that supports not only your passion and your professional lives, but your personal life. So, you’ll find benefits that make a difference at work and at home. Such as:
- Hybrid and Flexible working opportunities
- Up to 35 days annual leave and 7 additional public holidays each year (pro rata)
- Paid time off to support your Wellbeing and enable you to Volunteer in your community
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Progressive Family Friendly policies
- Training & development to enable colleagues to improve their skills, competencies and knowledge to perform at their best.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Plus, many more lifestyle benefits such as 24/7 access to an online employee discount platform, credit union facilities and access to a Cycle to Work Scheme.
Passionately you. Purposefully supportive
SEPA is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and good relations in everything it does - as a community leader, as a provider and commissioner of services, and as an employer.
Passionately Purposeful about Scotland’s environment - and your career.
Protecting our environment, promoting our work, and supporting our people, working at SEPA means being part of an organisation that’s grounded in respect for your expertise - and your wellbeing. So you can be your best, and make the biggest impact.
We recruit solely based on merit. Our shortlisting process is conducted on an anonymous basis. Please ensure that you include all relevant information when you apply.
We support flexible working arrangements to help you maintain a healthy balance between career and homelife. This includes working part time, reduced hours, job sharing, working remotely. As a flexible first employer we are open to having conversations about flexible working arrangements that work for you and SEPA from day 1 of your employment with us.
We are proud to be a 'Disability Confident' employer and will work to identify and implement reasonable adjustments and equipment to support you in the role that you do.
Applicants with a visual impairment can request job descriptions and application forms in Braille, large print or on tape.
For the security and wellbeing of our colleagues, successful candidates will undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) pre-employment checks including a level one Disclosure Scotland check.
If you have questions or need any assistance with the recruitment process please contact SEPA’s Recruitment Team at recruitment@sepa.org.uk
Apply now to join a Passionately Purposeful workplace
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London