Salary - £54,940

Staff Grade - 6

Location - National

Post Type / Working Pattern - Permanent/Fixed Term Full Time/Part Time

About Us:

The Environment Agency plays a vital role in protecting and improving the natural environment across England. From regulating waste management sites to working with farms and land managers in both urban and rural settings, our work helps ensure communities and ecosystems can thrive. We are continually evolving how we operate, embracing new approaches and innovations to deliver better environmental outcomes and make the most effective use of our resources.

Your role:

The role is pivotal in delivering the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Strategy. Specifically, our ambition for zero harm which extends to all those who work with us in delivering our capital programme. 

We are seeking a Construction Assurance Senior Specialist to join our Construction Health, Safety & Wellbeing (HSW) Team. This is a fantastic opportunity for a strategic, credible, and collaborative professional to influence and continually improve the way we assure construction activities across the organisation.
 
This role blends strategic assurance programme leadership with some hands‑on auditing delivery, making it ideal for someone who wants to shape the direction of our construction assurance programme.
 
As a Construction Assurance Senior Specialist, you will play a leading role in developing, delivering and improving our integrated construction audit programme covering:

• Construction phase HSW audits


• Environmental compliance audits


• Design audits

Your work will provide assurance that the construction projects across our capital and maintenance programme comply with legislation (including Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015), align with Environment Agency client standards, and support the continual improvement of our Delivery Partners and internal teams.
 
You will work closely with client representative functions, delivery partners, Construction H&S Auditors and internal HSW colleagues to strengthen governance, identify risks, and promote best practice across the project lifecycle — from early design through to on‑site construction.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead audit programme design and delivery

• Identify programme risks, opportunities and priorities.


• Shape the risk-based annual audit plan, informed by trends, performance data, supplier intelligence, and organisational risk.


• Monitor and manage the delivery of the audit programme via team of Construction H&S auditors.


• Complete periodic reviews of templates, processes and reporting requirements to maintain alignment with legislation and client standards.

Manage post‑audit activities

• Oversight on completion of actions, closure evidence and recoding.


• Escalate overdue actions via the appropriate SHEW or Framework Leads.


• Lead peer review sessions, ensuring consistent scoring, robust challenges, and shared learning.

Reporting, learning and collaboration

• Prepare clear programme-level assurance reports for internal governance groups including the HSW Leadership Team and Project and Programme Delivery.


• Support strategic conversations on construction safety and compliance aligned to EA2030 and our HSW Strategy.


• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders and external delivery partners.

Champion best practice and continual improvement

• Identify systemic issues, emerging risks and opportunities for innovation.


• Trend analysis and share lessons learned internally and across frameworks.


• Support the maturity of construction assurance capability across the organisation.

Deliver construction, environmental or design audits

• Plan and conduct individual audits.


• Agree actions, evidence requirements and timescales with site teams.


• Complete audit reports, update trackers and maintain accurate records.

What you'll need:    

• Strong practical experience in construction safety, assurance and compliance, ideally within an infrastructure client environment.


• Understanding of HSW, Environmental and Design requirements across the construction lifecycle.


• Knowledge of CDM 2015, risk-based auditing and assurance frameworks.


• Excellent communication skills, able to engage confidently with site teams, leadership groups, and delivery partners.


• Strong analytical skills and the ability to evaluate evidence and draw clear conclusions.


• Strategic thinking with the flexibility to respond quickly to emerging risks or priorities.


• Commitment to working efficiently, avoiding duplication and contributing to a cohesive, high-performing team.

It is essential for candidates to have:

• Certified membership of IOSH or equivalent professional membership (or evidence of working towards).


• NEBOSH Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals (or evidence of working towards).


• Demonstrable competence in the practical application of Construction Health, Safety and Wellbeing (HSW) standards, supported by a minimum of five years' relevant work experience.


• A full UK driving licence.

What's in it for you:

You'll benefit from a culture that embraces difference and is inclusive where you'll feel supported and trusted to do the right thing. We'll invest in you and allow you to grow and shape your career.

What's more, you'll have access to our great benefits package including:    

• A salary up to £54,940.


• A generous pension scheme.


• Overtime opportunities through standby and incident pay.


• 27 days holiday + 8 bank holidays for full-time employees.


• Two additional days for paid environmental outcomes giving you the opportunity to take part in community activities.


• Great career opportunities.


• Maternity, paternity, and adoption leave scheme.

Options for flexible and / or part-time working may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Additional Information: 

As an organisation, we strive to reflect the communities we serve, to achieve this we welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of race, sexual orientation, and religion. 

If you have any questions regarding the vacancy or application process, please contact the recruitment team at [email protected].

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the UK's biggest environmental organisation. Join us, and together, let's tackle the challenges of a changing climate and build a more sustainable future. Apply now and embark on a rewarding and fulfilling career journey with the Environment Agency.

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Please note that providing false or misleading information at any stage of the application or recruitment process may result in withdrawal of your application, or where applicable, disciplinary action in line with internal processes

Please note: Candidates selected for interview will be notified by email at least five days in advance. Please check both your inbox and junk mail folders to ensure you don't miss our message.

A reserve list will be held, and you may be offered other roles in other locations including temporary roles, which may be similarly aligned to this role.

Closing date for applications: 27th April 2026

Interview Dates: w/c 11th May 2026