Senior Lawyer – Environmental Regulation (Job ID 35040)
3 vacancies available across the East of England, North West, South East, South West, West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, with locations including Birmingham, Bristol, Exeter, Leeds, Peterborough, Reading, and Warrington.
Grade: Staff Grade 6 | Post Type: Permanent | Working Pattern: Full Time, Part Time/Job Share
Closing Date: 15/06/2026 23:55
About the Role
The Environment Agency’s Legal Services team is recruiting Senior Lawyers to deliver advice and litigation services in environmental regulation. You will work on challenging, high‑impact projects at the cutting edge of environmental law, including waste, water, and climate‑change regulation.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide legal advice on interpretation and enforcement of environmental law, Agency decision‑making and risk management
- Contribute to policy and legislation development
- Advise on regulatory notices, civil penalties and operator compliance
- Represent the Agency in civil litigation including Judicial Review and statutory appeals
- Train colleagues on the application of relevant law
Core Areas Covered
- Waste law and regulation
- Water law and regulation
- Climate‑change law and regulation
Qualifications & Experience
- Fully qualified lawyer (solicitor, barrister or legal executive) with at least 3 years’ post‑qualification experience
- Strong analytical skills, legal risk awareness, and the ability to contextualise legal issues
- Excellent communication skills, flexibility and experience influencing senior management, up to Chief Executive level
- Knowledge or interest in environmental permitting, waste and industrial installations, water quality and resources, climate change, or regulation and civil enforcement
- Current Practising Certificate (role‑specific membership)
Professional Knowledge & Skills
- Demonstrated ability to handle complex legal issues and deliver high‑quality advice under tight deadlines
- Proven track record of independent decision‑making and managing a demanding workload
Benefits & Working Conditions
- Salary Minimum £54,940
- Market Forces Factor allowance £5,250 per annum
- Flexible working arrangements including part‑time and job share; home working combined with periodic office attendance; occasional travel
- Comprehensive benefits package and career‑average pension scheme (details available in candidate pack)
Diversity & Equality
The Agency is committed to an inclusive workforce that reflects the diverse community we serve. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including those seeking flexible or part‑time working.
We also maintain a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support applicants with disabilities whose applications meet the minimum criteria.
Important Enquiries & Considerations
For questions about eligibility and continuous service status, please contact your HR team. The Environment Agency is not part of the Civil Service; therefore, new appointments will not be eligible for continuous service.
Please note that the role will start interviews in July 2026.
Application Guidance
Artificial intelligence may support your application; however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own), applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. The Environment Agency is a non‑departmental public body sponsored by Defra and subscribes to the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence.
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