Environment Agency
Senior Regulatory Officer - Refineries - 35742
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Job Description
Are you ready to make a real difference?
Join our High Hazard specialist team as a Senior Regulatory Officer (SRO).
We’re committed to improving our regulatory practices and framework. To achieve this, we’re looking for a SRO to provide quality regulation across high hazard industries in England, with a particular focus on oil refineries.
This role is for a locally recognised expert, responsible for delivering regulatory activities while managing significant environmental and reputational risk. You’ll work across high hazard industries, collaborating with internal networks, partner organisations, and industry representatives to ensure a consistent regulatory approach.
The role involves leading regulation of complex and nationally significant oil refineries, assessing operators’ ability to protect people and the environment and comply with regulatory requirements. You’ll lead site inspections, investigations, and enforcement action for significant environmental incidents, alongside resolving complex technical and reputational issues.
Strong influencing and negotiation skills are essential, as you’ll regularly engage with senior industry leaders, communities, and stakeholders.
- Provide expert input into investigations
- Work with partner organisations to deliver regulatory outcomes
- Help shape regulatory strategy and delivery at a local level
Alongside strategic responsibilities, you will assist in planning and delivery of your team’s regulatory work programme across multiple areas.
You will be seen as a technical leader in your team therefore have a role in overseeing performance, managing quality and workload, developing less experienced staff, and contributing to workforce planning, and training to strengthen high hazard regulation.
This role attracts an additional allowance of £4,750 for specialist expertise in high hazard regulation. It is payable after appointment, provided you meet eligibility criteria. To qualify, you’ll need significant oil refineries or high hazard industry experience and a relevant degree or equivalent technical expertise.
Please read the additional information pack for further details about the responsibilities of the role.
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 high hazard 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.
Experience/skills Required
Essential Criteria
- Knowledge of environmental regulation and/or industrial experience within oil refining, energy, petrochemical, COMAH, or other high hazard industries.
- Practical application of regulatory compliance.
- Influencing skills and success in developing good relations in complex environments.
- Ability to work independently to deliver a programme of work in line with a work plan, providing assurance to your manager.
- Work with partner organisations to address joint initiatives and regulatory duties.
- Taking initiative and using a continuous improvement approach.
- Degree (or equivalent) ideally in a science or engineering subject or comparable external industrial experience.
- Full UK driving licence
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Desirable Criteria
- Experience of oil refinery operations, refining processes, or environmental regulation of refineries.
- People development experience through coaching and mentoring.
- Membership of a relevant professional institution or working towards.
- Familiar with environmental management systems, auditing, and root cause analysis.
- Experience of interpreting environmental monitoring and performance data.
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.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted against this capability only. Candidates who achieve the minimum required standard will be progressed to a full sift of the remaining capability questions.
Question: This role requires knowledge of environmental regulation and/or industrial experience within oil refining, energy, petrochemical, COMAH, or other high hazard industries. Please explain how your background demonstrates the technical knowledge and experience required for this role.
Competence 2
Influences and Persuades Others
Description
Applies a knowledge of statutory environmental and technical requirements to protect both the Environment Agency and the environment.
Question: This role requires knowledge of environmental regulation and/or industrial experience within oil refining, energy, petrochemical, COMAH, or other high hazard industries. Please explain how your background demonstrates the technical knowledge and experience required for this role.
Competence 3
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
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Description
Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.
Question: Tell us about a decision you made in relation to a compliance, safety, or environmental issue that required careful thought and analysis.
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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