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 (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 – Security and Emergency Measures Direction
Ref. 410140
Make a difference to public health by becoming an Inspector – Security and Emergency Measures Direction.
The powers and duties under which the Inspectorate operates are established in legislation and are wide-ranging, covering all aspects of the quality and sufficiency of water together with duties in regard of network and information systems of public water supplies as delegated by the Secretary of State and Welsh ministers. The Inspectorate also has duties to regulate Network Information System (NIS) regulations and the regulatory functions of the Security and Emergency Measures Direction (SEMD). Statutory duties in relation to private supplies for the provision of technical advice to local authorities and the authority of appeal are provided on behalf of the Secretary of State and Welsh ministers.
The Inspectorate is seeking an SEMD specialist, engineer, applied scientist or specialist in application of physical, personnel and protective security measures to protect assets and operations against malicious attacks or skills in emergency planning. Ideally with experience in the water industry you will provide technical support on matters relating to national security and emergency planning in the water and wastewater sector to join its team of Inspectors ensuring safe, secure and high-quality water supplies across England and Wales.
For the full advert and to apply online go to the Civil Service Jobs website:
Inspector – Security and Emergency Measures Direction – Civil Service Jobs – GOV.UK
Closing date: 23:55 Monday 28 July 2025.
Deputy Chief Inspector (Grade 6)
Ref. 408230
Make a difference in protecting public health by becoming a Deputy Chief Inspector.
As part of the Senior Management Team, you will be responsible to the Chief Inspector for developing and managing the Inspectorate’s resources in the delivery of its Vision and Strategic Objectives.
You will be part of the strategic team delivering regulation on the quality, assurance, safety and security of drinking water supplied by the water industry and the local authorities which includes delivery of secure network information systems by operators of essential supplies for water. You would be expected to communicate effectively with, and provide technical and scientific advice to, Ministers, officials of Defra and the Welsh Government and wider government departments. Engagement with stakeholders associated with the water sector such as Water UK, UKWIR, UKHSA, Public Health Wales, RAPID, as well as the wider regulatory landscape including the Environment Agency, the financial regulator Ofwat and CCW, requires a broad understanding of the complexities of the water sector.
The Deputy Chief Inspector leads and directs experienced professionals 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 information systems, data management, information and knowledge management, and business administration. The work requires a high level of expertise in all aspects of drinking water supply; the interpretation of law, fair and proportionate enforcement of legal requirements and the provision of sound advice.
The role requires someone who combines strong leadership, technical expertise and managerial skills with the judgement and flexibility necessary to operate in what can be a demanding environment. Working within the context of the respective Government policies is also critical.
For the full advert and to apply online go to the Civil Service Jobs website:
Deputy Chief Inspector (Grade 6) – Drinking Water Inspectorate – Civil Service Jobs – GOV.UK
Closing date: 23:55 Monday 21 July 2025.
Inspector – Network and Information Systems (Cyber Security)
Ref. 408233
Make a difference in protecting public health by becoming a Network and Information Systems Inspector.
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 Inspectorate regularly needs to respond to an evolving risk picture, or incidents which impact on the water network. Therefore the post holder will need to be flexible and able to adapt quickly to changing work priorities and may be required to participate in the Inspectorate’s response to a security incident. This may include out of hours working on occasion, but the Inspectorate makes every effort to allow for individual personal circumstances and offers a range of flexible working options including remote working and some working from home.
For the full advert and to apply online go to the Civil Service Jobs website:
Inspector – Network and Information Systems (Cyber Security) – Civil Service Jobs – GOV.UK.
Closing date: 23:55 Monday 21 July 2025.