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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

Principal Inspector

Job summary

The Inspectorate is seeking a Principal Inspector to support the Senior Management Team (SMT) in the delivery of the Drinking Water Inspectorate’s vision and strategic objectives.

Each Principal Inspector leads a team of Inspectors, data and support staff with strong academic, technical, scientific, engineering and practical backgrounds in the water and allied industries. The Inspectorate’s technical and support staff includes experts in network and information systems, data management, information and knowledge management and business administration (including HR, recruitment and finance).

Each of the teams are involved in the delivery of one or more of the Inspectorate’s drinking water regulatory processes including: water quality event investigation, drinking water quality compliance assessment, risk based technical audit, the approval of products and processes, the improvement of public and private supplies, fit for purpose regulations and drinking water standards and public reporting .

As a Principal Inspector you will need to demonstrate leadership skills with managerial experience and an excellent track record in the execution of the technical tasks carried out by Inspectors. In addition to being responsible for the performance of your own team, Principal Inspectors are collectively responsible for the development of staff and the effective prioritisation and allocation of resources to deliver the Inspectorate’s strategic objectives.

Principal Inspectors work under the direction of a Deputy Chief Inspector, however, there is a high degree of autonomy of decision making within the context of the Inspectorate’s policies and procedures. Principal Inspectors are responsible for managing the relationship between the Inspectorate and one or more stakeholder at national level and for communicating the policies and decisions of the Inspectorate. As ambassadors of the Inspectorate, Principal Inspectors are expected to identify and deliver change through the use of project management so as to maintain the credibility of the regulatory regime and ensure that the Inspectorate remains a leading proponent of better regulation.

The work requires a proven level of expertise in all aspects of drinking water supply and the provision of sound advice. The post holder must be able to work collaboratively, be inclusive and be able to work within the context of the respective Government policies.

Responsibilities:

To be responsible together with the Management Team to deliver the operations of the Inspectorate. 

 These include:  

  • Operational delivery on a national or area basis dependent upon assigned responsibilities;  
  • Delivery of overall business and strategic objectives set by SMT;     
  • Staff management including work allocation, rotation, training, performance and welfare;  
  • Engagement with the regulated industry, local authorities and other key participants when delivering your objectives;     
  • On-site liaison, audits and inspections as part of your team;
  • Enforcement activities as part of your role;
  • Support the SMT in the operational delivery of the Inspectorate’s strategy;       
  • Responsibility for performance reporting to the SMT.

 More generally you will be expected to: 

  • Establish and maintain effective and appropriate professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders;  
  • Manage resources efficiently and effectively, constantly seeking improved methods of working, ensuring that any new or amended processes are formally captured and disseminated throughout the Inspectorate;
  • Contribute to the style, direction and reputation of the Inspectorate including the production of the Chief Inspector’s reports covering England and Wales;    
  • Contribution to the provision of information for the general public through an enquiry and complaint handling service and a website as part of a policy of openness and transparency;  
  • Familiarisation with statutory water quality regulation and how the law may be interpreted and enforcement applied;  
  • Understanding of internal IT systems and development and innovation of emerging technologies;  
  • Knowledge and interpretation of data collated by the Inspectorate;  
  • Understand and support the Inspectorate’s cost recovery process;  
  • Familiarity and compliance with Defra procedures with regard staff management, finance and procurement.

For more information and to apply online visit the Civil Service Jobs website Principal Inspector – Civil Service Jobs – GOV.UK.

Closing date: 23:55 Monday 2 February 2026.

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