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Working for the Drinking Water Inspectorate is an opportunity for committed, self-motivated, organised, resourceful and flexible team workers to gain experience in a regulatory delivery unit responsible for drinking water quality in England and Wales.

The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) is made up of an inclusive team of experienced technical Inspectors, as well as specialists within the Business Performance and Data Units. Together, staff within the Inspectorate work to maintain the highest drinking water quality in England and Wales.

Upon joining us, you will gain access to a wide range of learning and development offered by the Civil Service, an annual leave allowance which increases year on year from 25 up to 30 days and a Civil Service pension.

The Civil Service is committed to continuously increasing the diversity of its workforce and welcomes employees from all backgrounds and walks of life. The Inspectorate operates a flexible working pattern which includes homeworking.

If you have any questions about any of the roles currently advertised or a more general question about working for the Inspectorate, please contact dwi.enquiries@defra.gov.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.

Latest job opportunities

Inspector (General)

Ref. No. 383979 (X4 vacancies)

Job description

Every day tap water is tested by the water companies. Inspectors independently check these tests and audit water company laboratories. If any one of the millions of tests each year fails the standards then the Inspectors use their powers to require the water company to make the necessary improvements to drinking water quality. Inspectors go out on site to check that improvement work is completed on time. They also inspect that the aspects of water operations which ensure drinking water is safe at all times. Very occasionally things go wrong. When this happens it is the job of the Inspectorate to investigate the operational incident and provide an independent report of the cause with recommendations on how to prevent similar events from happening again. Sometimes our investigations of incidents lead to a water company being prosecuted. In addition, when a water company fails to resolve a drinking water quality complaint then the consumer can come to the Inspectorate for help.

Inspectors work in teams under the direction of Principal Inspectors. However, there is a high degree of autonomy of decision making and Inspectors are involved in a wide range of tasks covering all functions from source to tap. Inspectors must decide whether or not there has been, or is likely to be, a breach of the Regulations and if so, whether enforcement action is necessary to safeguard drinking water quality. Inspectors may be involved with interviewing staff, contractors or consumers; conducting site audits to assess treatment and monitoring processes or storage facilities; and in certain circumstances may be required to attend court and give interviews to the media.

Responsibilities include:

  • Inspectors manage the day-to-day relationship between the Inspectorate and one or more of the regulated water companies.
  • Inspectors can also work in specialised team accessing information provided by water companies and other stakeholders in relation to compliance with the Regulations.
  • Inspectors are required to give authoritative advice to resolve disputes such as consumer water quality complaints or disagreements between the parties involved with the regulation or operation of water supplies.
  • Inspectors have a key role in maintaining wholesome supplies and protecting public health.
  • Inspectors may have a role in providing advice in relation to private water supplies.

Please read the full advert and application requirements on the Civil Service Jobs website: Inspector (General) – Civil Service Jobs – GOV.UK.

Contact point for applicants

  • Name: Business Performance Unit
  • Email: dwi.enquiries@defra.gov.uk
  • Telephone: 0330 041 6501

Further information

Please note all applicants must apply online via the Civil Service Jobs website: Inspector (General) – Civil Service Jobs – GOV.UK.

Closing date: 23:55 on Monday 17 February 2025.

Inspector – Security and Emergency Measures Direction

Ref. No. 384198 (X3 vacancies)

Job description

The DWI is the technical regulator for the water industry in England and Wales delivering drinking water quality regulation, Network Information System (NIS) regulation and the regulatory functions of the Security and Emergency Measures Direction (SEMD), where the DWI will be acting for and on behalf of the Secretary of State and Welsh Ministers.

The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) is seeking an engineer, applied scientist or specialist in the design and application of physical, personnel and cyber protective security measures to protect assets and operations against malicious attacks, along with skills in emergency planning. Ideally with experience in the water industry you will provide technical support on matters relating to civil emergencies and national security in the water and wastewater sector to join its team of Inspectors ensuring safe, secure and high-quality water supplies across England and Wales.

Inspectors work in teams under the direction of a Principal Inspector, however, there is a high degree of autonomy of decision making. The postholder should be aware of current technical standards and maintain knowledge of the priorities and issues affecting today’s water industry. Using their technical experience, they will work with Defra policy colleagues and external stakeholders including the regulated water companies on matters relating to SEMD.

The Inspector (SEMD) will develop initiatives that require a technical input and provide technical advice on issues. They will particularly be expected to become proactively involved in developing and delivery of policies and initiatives and to help improve the security and infrastructure capabilities of the water industry.

The key responsibilities will be: 

  • Monitoring measures taken within the requirements of SEMD to undertakers and licensees (‘companies’).
  • Assessment of compliance of companies with the Direction, including assessment of the companies’ self-assessments and any required audit or investigations.
  • Review companies Price Review (PR) Enhancement Plans in line with their SEMD performance, and feedback in time for the company to submit their PR bid to Ofwat.
  • Initiating Enforcement.
  • SEMD Incident Assessment.
  • Advising on a wide range of other security issues that affect the water industry.
  • Development of, and participation in, exercises to test water company and Defra’s emergency plans.
  • Providing feedback to the industry to drive continuous improvement.

Please read the full advert and application requirements on the Civil Service Jobs website: Inspector – Security and Emergency Measures Direction – Civil Service Jobs – GOV.UK.

Contact point for applicants

  • Name: Business Performance Unit
  • Email: dwi.enquiries@defra.gov.uk
  • Telephone: 0330 041 6501

Please note all applicants must apply online via the Civil Service Jobs website: Inspector – Security and Emergency Measures Direction – Civil Service Jobs – GOV.UK.

Closing date: 23:55 on Monday 17 February 2025.

Inspector – Network and Information Systems (Cyber Security)

Ref. No. 384156 (X2 vacancies)

Job description

The Network and Information Systems Regulations (NIS) (2018) extended the original Drinking Water Supply regulations to include greater emphasis on the security and reliability of information systems which control drinking water production or delivery, with particular regard to the modern-day threat of cyber security. 

The main responsibility of the DWI NIS team is to ensure that the 17 drinking water companies in England and Wales (that are currently within scope of the NIS regulations) take appropriate and proportionate technical and organisational measures to manage any risks posed to the security of their network and information systems. This includes the cyber and physical security of assets on which their essential service of drinking water provision relies.

  • Evaluation of annual self assessments by Operators of Essential Service (OES) against the Cyber Assessment Framework.
  • Logging and assessment of any reported incidents from the sector.
  • Scoping of, preparation for and completion of verification audits with selected OESs.
  • Making recommendations regarding any enforcement action that might be required to address gaps in compliance.
  • Preparation of new and revision of existing guidance for OES on meeting the requirements of NIS.
  • Preparation of the annual reports on compliance against NIS and the activities of the Inspectorate in England and Wales for Ministers.
  • Routine liaison with Inspectorate colleagues, Defra, Welsh Government and OESs.
  • Contribution towards regular internal performance and financial reports.

Please read the full advert and application requirements on the Civil Service Jobs website: Inspector – Network and Information Systems (Cyber Security) – Civil Service Jobs – GOV.UK.

Contact point for applicants

  • Name: Business Performance Unit
  • Email: dwi.enquiries@defra.gov.uk
  • Telephone: 0330 041 6501

Further information

Please note all applicants must apply online via the Civil Service Jobs website: Inspector – Network and Information Systems (Cyber Security) – Civil Service Jobs – GOV.UK.

Closing date: 23:55 on Monday 27 January 2025.

Inspector – Performance Analyst – Network and Information Systems (Cyber Security)

Ref. No. 384198 (X2 vacancies)

Job description

The Network and Information Systems Regulations (NIS) (2018) extended the original Drinking Water Supply regulations to include greater emphasis on the security and reliability of information systems which control drinking water production or delivery, with particular regard to the modern-day threat of cyber security. 

The main responsibility of the DWI NIS team is to ensure that the 17 drinking water companies in England and Wales (that are currently within scope of the NIS regulations) take appropriate and proportionate technical and organisational measures to manage any risks posed to the security of their network and information systems. This includes the cyber and physical security of assets on which their essential service of drinking water provision relies. 

The NIS Inspector (Performance Analyst) role is an exciting opportunity for candidates with a proven track record in data analysis and performance monitoring to join the DWI NIS Team. Additionally, the post holder will be expected to be proactive in maintaining and expanding their knowledge as technology and cyber risks presented to water supply evolve. 

  • Reporting to the NIS Principal Inspector, you will connect company performance data, improvement plans, enforcement actions, threat intelligence and asset information to identify performance gaps and non-conformance with the NIS regulations. You will provide innovative ways to present data and help the team regulate the sector effectively.
  • In collaboration with the DWI Data Team, you will be required to develop new tools to monitor and track performance in the drinking water sector and integrate information into the existing DWI databases. 
  • You will be fully conversant in the use of Power Platform applications including Power BI, Excel and able to perform database queries using SQL.
  • You will automate company performance reports and support the NIS Inspectors to identify shortfalls in performance and to manage and track enforcement actions such as recommendations and closure of legal notice requirements. You will also contribute to the annual Chief Inspector’s Report. 
  • The NIS Team track sector performance against the NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF). Your objective will be to bring this data to life alongside real time performance data such as the DWI Milestone and Action Tracker (MAT). You will track and report on trends identified by the CAF returns which are received annually from the water companies. 
  • You will be responsible for information flows in and out of the department and should be familiar with SharePoint, secure data transfer systems (such as Resilience Direct) and have the ability to manage the department’s mailbox and assign tasks to Inspectors using MS Planner. The role will require impeccable record keeping, accuracy and attention to detail.  
  • You will be responsible for external regulatory and non-regulatory reporting including providing data required for Freedom of Information requests (FOI). 
  • You will ensure the protection of company and DWI data which may include offline archiving of historic data. 
  • You will engage with other stakeholders such as NCSC, DSIT and Defra Security. 
  • The role holder is responsible for tracking the actions and outputs from the NIS Audit program. 
  • The role holder will support the Inspectors to conduct quality quarterly liaison meetings with each company. Conversations will be based on real time performance data collated by the Performance Analyst and will include reports on open company actions, deadlines, improvement plans and enforcement requirements. 

Please read the full advert and application requirements on the Civil Service Jobs website: Inspector – Performance Analyst – Network and Information Systems (Cyber Security) – Civil Service Jobs – GOV.UK

Contact point for applicants

  • Name: Business Performance Unit
  • Email: dwi.enquiries@defra.gov.uk
  • Telephone: 0330 041 6501

Further information

Please note all applicants must apply online via the Civil Service Jobs website: Inspector – Performance Analyst – Network and Information Systems (Cyber Security) – Civil Service Jobs – GOV.UK.

Closing date: 23:55 on Monday 27 January 2025.

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