Overview

We’re proud to be part of the Environment Agency — an organisation that values diversity, champions inclusion, and reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone, regardless of background, identity, or lived experience.

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

• Conduct audits and inspections of construction sites and delivery partners
• Produce clear, actionable reports and follow up on findings
• Provide technical advice across construction, and maintenance activities
• Support incident investigations and embed lessons learned
• Develop and deliver training and awareness tools
• Lead on specialist SHEW topics and contribute to strategic SHEW projects
• Support framework communities of practice and promote best practice

Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. 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 as well as facilitating further 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 collaborate with our supply chain and wider construction industry to develop and share best practice.

Experience/Skills Required

• 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 an 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)

Role Details

• Full UK Driving Licence
• The role requires regular travel to construction sites to undertake audits and site-based health, safety, and wellbeing assurance activities. This will be a mix of office / home working with flexible working hours. The successful candidates will ideally be based in the East or Southeast of England.

Interview and Diversity

Interviews will be conducted on MS Teams week commencing 24th of November. We are committed to flexible working patterns and have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and have guidance for applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies regarding continuity of service.

Additional information

The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by Defra. We are not part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant if appointed. For more information about supplier opportunities, visit the Crown Commercial Service guide linked in the original posting. We also provide clear guidance on the use of artificial intelligence: any AI-supported content must be truthful and from your own experience; reliance on AI alone may lead to withdrawal of applications.

Notes on competencies

• Competence 1 – Builds and Sustains Relationships
• Competence 2 – Achieves Results
• Competence 3 – Influences and Persuades Others
• Competence 4 – Takes Decisions and Solves Problems

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application; all examples must be truthful and taken from your own experience. The Environment Agency subscribes to Civil Service guidance on AI usage.

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Applicants should note that referrals can increase interview chances. Locations mentioned for similar roles reflect active postings and do not guarantee a match for this vacancy.

Seniority level

• Associate

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Management and Manufacturing