Description
Principal Regulatory Officer (High Hazard)
£54,940 - £64,576 per annum (plus an additional £4,750 for specialist COMAH expertise, subject to eligibility)
Locations: Warrington, Newcastle, Darlington, Leeds, York, Lincoln, Nottingham, Sutton Coldfield, Tewkesbury, Bridgewater, Romsey, Welwyn Garden City, Farnham, Ipswich
Full time Permanent Flexible working available Staff Grade: 6
About the role
Are you ready to make a real difference? Join our High Hazard specialist team as a Principal Regulatory Officer (PRO). You will provide assurance on the quantity and quality of regulatory delivery at COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 2015) sites across England and be a nationally recognised expert dealing with complex compliance and risk issues.
The PRO will:
- Deliver complex compliance work and manage environmental and reputational risk.
- Work with a national network to deliver a consistent regulatory approach.
- Develop and lead less experienced officers, supporting COMAH delivery, workforce planning, capability assessment and training.
- Provide coaching, advice and guidance to team members and help shape local strategy and tactical direction.
Key responsibilities
- Ensure sites comply with COMAH regulatory requirements, particularly for complex and nationally significant sites.
- Lead the resolution of technical and reputational issues across a range of COMAH sites.
- Lead inspections, investigations and appropriate enforcement actions for complex environmental incidents.
- Support and develop enforcement strategy in collaboration with COMAH Team Leader and Competent Authority partners.
- Provide expert input to national investigations and joint initiatives with partner organisations.
- Fulfilling COMAH Competent Authority roles (e.g. Intervention Manager, Assessment Manager) as required.
- Plan and deliver the COMAH work plan across multiple areas, ensuring KPIs and assurance requirements are met.
- Assess technical capabilities of COMAH officers and deliver training to upskill the team.
- Be available for incident response or business continuity support (role may attract additional payment and training).
The team
You will join a newly formed team reporting to a COMAH Team Leader, working with Senior Regulatory Officers and Regulatory Officers. The role involves frequent site visits and fieldwork, collaboration with national and local colleagues, and support for delivering robust inspections, audits and incident investigations. An EA office base location will be provided; travel is expected.
What’s in it for you?
- A salary of £54,940 - £64,576 per annum.
- Additional allowance of £4,750 for specialist COMAH expertise (subject to eligibility).
- Generous pension scheme of 19%.
- Overtime opportunities through standby and incident pay.
- 27 days holiday (increasing with service to a maximum of 30) + 8 bank holidays for full-time employees.
- Two additional paid environmental outcome days for community activities.
- Training and professional development time.
- Maternity, paternity and adoption leave schemes.
- Flexible working policy to support work–life balance.
Person specification
Essential
- Knowledge and practical application of the COMAH regime and Regulations.
- Experience in regulatory or industry roles within the COMAH regime.
- Excellent influencing skills and ability to develop strong relationships in complex environments.
- Experience working with partner organisations on joint initiatives and regulatory duties.
- Commitment to people development with experience of training and coaching.
- Degree in a scientific or engineering subject, or comparable industrial experience.
- Membership of a relevant professional body with Chartered status, or working towards it.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable
- Regulatory experience across a range of complex sites and regimes.
- Experience delivering results through others and providing strategic/tactical direction.
- Track record of taking initiative and applying continuous improvement approaches.
Additional information
Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the UK's biggest environmental organisation. Apply now to help tackle climate challenges and build a sustainable future.
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application; however all examples and statements must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism (including AI-generated content presented as your own) is identified, applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may face disciplinary action. Refer to our candidate guidance on the careers site for more information.
Security checks: Successful candidates must undergo criminal record and counter-terrorist checks.
Closing date for applications: 10th November 2025
Interview dates: Weeks commencing 1st and 8th December 2025 (competency questions and a technical assessment).
Please note: Candidates selected for interview will be notified by email at least five days in advance. Check inbox and junk folders. A reserve list may be held and alternative roles in other locations may be offered.
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