Technical Advisor (2) - Environmental Permitting Compliance

NORTHUMBRIAN WATER LIMITED; Basildon; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday entitlement

Pension scheme

Discounts

Wellbeing support

Sustainable travel

Financial wellbeing

Life Assurance

Income Protection

Development opportunities

Digital GP access

Job summary

Northumbrian Water Limited is seeking an Environmental Permitting & Compliance specialist to ensure regulatory alignment across operations. You will lead permit activities, assess risks, and drive environmental compliance while working with regulators and partners.

You will communicate findings, provide expert guidance, and build strong relationships with the Environment Agency, supporting continuous improvement in environmental performance across the business.

Qualifications

• A degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience.
• Basic understanding of the water industry and regulatory framework.
• Experience in the water/utilities or environmental sectors is advantageous.
• UK driving licence is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental permitting and compliance activities.
• Support permit applications and assess environmental risks.
• Drive compliance with environmental legislation.
• Collaborate with regulators and external partners.
• Provide expert advice on permitting and best practices.
• Build positive relationships with the Environment Agency.

Skills

Environmental permitting

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

Education

Degree in a relevant discipline

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity to help ensure our water operations meet environmental and regulatory requirements while protecting the environment for future generations. In this role, you will lead on environmental permitting and compliance activities, ensuring the business has the permits it needs to operate now and in the future. Working closely with operational teams, asset delivery colleagues, regulators, and external partners, you will support permit applications, assess environmental risks, and help drive compliance with environmental legislation. You will use data and technical expertise to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, minimise the risk of pollution incidents, and support environmental performance reporting. You'll also play a key role in building positive relationships with the Environment Agency and providing expert advice on permitting, compliance, and environmental best practice across the business. This is a varied and rewarding role for someone who enjoys combining technical knowledge, problem-solving, stakeholder engagement, and environmental stewardship to make a meaningful impact.

We're looking for a proactive and collaborative individual with a good understanding of environmental permitting and compliance. You'll be confident working with a range of stakeholders, influencing decisions, and building strong relationships both within the business and with external organisations, including regulators. You'll have excellent communication, report writing, and presentation skills, alongside strong organisational and problem-solving abilities. The ability to manage competing priorities, work to deadlines, and maintain a high standard of work is essential. You'll hold a degree in a relevant discipline, or have equivalent experience, and have a basic understanding of the water industry and environmental regulatory framework. Experience within the water, utilities, or environmental sectors would be advantageous. A full UK driving licence is required as the role involves travel to operational sites.

Most importantly, we're looking for someone who is passionate about environmental protection, enjoys working as part of a team, and is motivated to deliver positive outcomes for customers, communities, and the environment.

£42,755

We're a Great Place to Work because of the amazing people who work for us, and to say thank you we offer a range of benefits to colleagues.

Benefits

• Generous holiday entitlement, plus bank holidays and additional time off on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
• There's also the option to buy or sell holidays.
• Company pension scheme, where we'll double match your contributions up to an employer contribution of 11%.
• Free access to local attractions.
• A fantastic discount scheme, with savings on days out, shopping, travel and more.
• Award winning 'Living Well' wellbeing support, including access to a digital GP service for you and your family members.
• Support with sustainable travel - through salary sacrifice cars and cycle to work scheme.
• Financial wellbeing support - access our community savings scheme, financial education and low-cost loans through Salary Finance.
• We also provide 4 x Life Assurance and an Income Protection Scheme.
• Support with your development - we offer a range of development opportunities, can support you through an interest free qualification loan and we'll even pay for any relevant professional body subscription.