Work for the DWI
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 (the Inspectorate) 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
Principal Inspector – Network and Information Systems – vacancy ref: 471643
The key management responsibility for a Principal Inspector (PI) will be to ensure, via a combination of Inspectors’ and Performance Analysts’ activity and their own, that drinking water companies take appropriate and proportional technical and organisational measures to manage risks posed to both the security of their network and information systems (used in the production or treatment of drinking water) as well as physical security of assets on which their essential service (drinking water) rely. Such a responsibility is pivotal for the relationship developed with each water company – the intent will be to develop a collaborative relationship. The PI will be responsible for escalating any failure or likely failure to enforcement action as appropriate.
The PI will manage a small team of Inspectors and Performance Analysts to ensure all designated (for NIS purposes) water companies across England and Wales comply with the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018. The regulatory process requires detailed understanding of significant complex operational dynamic systems which control the treatment/production of safe drinking water over multiple operational sites for up to several million consumers at all times.
For more information and to apply visit Civil Service jobs (vacancy ref: 471643): Principal Inspector (Network and Information Systems) – Civil Service Jobs – GOV.UK
Closing date is Friday 14 August 2026 at 23:55.