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Overview

We’re looking for two passionate and experienced professionals to join our national Construction Safety Team as SHEW Advisors. If you’re ready to make a real impact on the safety, health, environment, and wellbeing of major infrastructure projects across England, this could be your next career move. These full-time roles sit within our Capital/Construction team, which sets SHEW standards and assures them through a robust audit and inspection programme. You’ll play a key part in shaping safer, healthier, and more sustainable construction practices — not just within our organisation, but across the wider industry.

As a SHEW Advisor, you’ll be a trusted expert and role model, helping to raise standards and drive continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Conducting audits and inspections of construction sites and delivery partners
• Producing clear, actionable reports and following up on findings
• Providing technical advice across construction, and maintenance activities
• Supporting incident investigations and embedding lessons learned
• Developing and delivering training and awareness tools
• Leading on specialist SHEW topics and contributing to strategic SHEW projects
• Supporting framework communities of practice and promoting best practice

Responding to incidents is a central part of the role. You will be required to have an incident role and be available to respond to or provide business continuity support during an incident. Supporting incident response may attract an additional payment and offers opportunities for career development. Full training and alternative working arrangements will be available to support your incident role.

Team and culture

You’ll be part of a collaborative, forward-thinking team that works closely with delivery partners and internal colleagues to ensure SHEW standards are not only met — but exceeded. We provide technical support for investigations, and share and embed lessons. We collaborate with our supply chain and wider construction industry to develop and share best practice.

Experience and qualifications

Minimum qualification criteria:

• Proven health, safety, and wellbeing experience in construction delivery projects
• NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction Certificate (UK)
• Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. IOSH or IIRSM), ideally Chartered or working towards

Essential Skills

• A strong background in construction safety
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) with ability to build rapport, influence stakeholders, and translate complex safety requirements into practical guidance
• Confidence in reviewing and improving ways of working to ensure consistent application of SHEW legislation and best practice

Desirable Skills

• Experience in incident investigation and root cause analysis
• Familiarity with behavioural safety approaches
• Working knowledge of digital safety tools and reporting platforms
• Stakeholder engagement across complex frameworks
• Professional accreditation or chartership (e.g. GradIOSH, CMIOSH)

Requirements and logistics

• The role requires regular travel to construction sites to undertake audits and site-based SHEW activities. A mix of office/home working and flexible working hours are available. Ideally based in the East or Southeast of England.
• Interviews will be conducted via MS Teams during the week commencing 24 November.

Additional information

If you would like more information about the role, please refer to the attached candidate information pack. For an informal chat about the role, please contact Jason Hanson at Jason.hanson@environment-agency.gov.uk. Ready to take the next step? Apply now and help us build a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future.

Competencies

1. Builds and Sustains Relationships

   Description: In this role, you’ll work with a wide range of people—from internal teams to external construction partners. Your ability to build trust, influence others, and navigate complex interpersonal dynamics is essential to driving improvements in safety, health, environment, and wellbeing.

2. Achieves Results

   Description: This role demands a high level of personal effectiveness, resilience, and commitment to delivering results in a construction safety context.

3. Influences and Persuades Others

   Description: You will often need to influence delivery partners, contractors, and internal teams to adopt SHEW standards and improve practices.

4. Takes Decisions and Solves Problems

   Description: You’ll be expected to make informed decisions during audits, inspections, and incident investigations — often in dynamic construction environments.

Role-specific requirements

Full UK Driving Licence. If applying from Civil Service, note the Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service. Flexible working patterns, including job share, are welcome. We guarantee an interview to eligible applicants with a disability under our Guaranteed Interview Policy.

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and to safeguarding value for money through central government frameworks. For more information on supplier registration, please refer to the Crown Commercial Service guidance cited in the original description.

Artificial intelligence disclaimer: AI tools may assist with applications, but all information must be truthful and from your own experience. Please review Civil Service guidance on AI use.

Location and search prompts

Reading, Newbury, Didcot, High Wycombe, Slough, and other locations in England are listed for reference. This section reflects job market posting behavior and does not affect eligibility.