Natural England
Enforcement and Appeals Higher Officer - ( Ref : 6664 )
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Job Summary
This position is based Nationally
Job Description
The Enforcement and Appeals Team is responsible for the investigation of offences and serving of enforcement actions, including prosecutions relating to Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), the EIA (Agriculture) Regulations, Species licensing breaches and Pesticide poisonings reported through the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme.
We defend Natural England's decisions to secure positive environmental outcomes by overseeing and advising on the formal appeal process. We also provide advice support to NEWLS, Area Teams and the police on matters of enforcement casework and reform.
Preventing harm to nature is central to our work, and we work with partners, landowners, and the public to advise, educate and promote the value of safeguarding nature. We have a range of tools and sanctions available to address incidents of non-compliance, including offering advice and guidance to support understanding of regulations and why they are needed.
Where sanctions are imposed, they will comply with the established principles of good regulation, being proportionate, transparent, targeted and accountable. We will always aim to deter future non-compliance, restore any environmental harm and eliminate any financial gain caused by non-compliance.
Join us in shaping a future where nature and people thrive. Whether you're drawn to hands-on conservation or playing a vital part behind the scenes, your work at Natural England will support lasting benefits for the environment and society.
The Role
The Enforcement and Appeals Team is responsible for the investigation of offences and serving of enforcement actions, including prosecutions relating to Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), the EIA (Agriculture) Regulations, Species licensing breaches and Pesticide poisonings reported through the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme.
We defend Natural England's decisions to secure positive environmental outcomes by overseeing and advising on the formal appeal process. We also provide advice support to NEWLS, Area Teams and the police on matters of enforcement casework and reform.
Preventing harm to nature is central to our work, and we work with partners, landowners, and the public to advise, educate and promote the value of safeguarding nature. We have a range of tools and sanctions available to address incidents of non-compliance, including offering advice and guidance to support understanding of regulations and why they are needed.
Where sanctions are imposed, they will comply with the established principles of good regulation, being proportionate, transparent, targeted and accountable. We will always aim to deter future non-compliance, restore any environmental harm and eliminate any financial gain caused by non-compliance.
Join us in shaping a future where nature and people thrive. Whether you're drawn to hands-on conservation or playing a vital part behind the scenes, your work at Natural England will support lasting benefits for the environment and society.
Key Tasks/Principal Accountabilities
- Manage a varied workload of civil and criminal investigations into significant enforcement cases in a timely and outcome-focused manner. Provide specialist advice and support to internal colleagues dealing with enforcement casework, including Area Teams and NEWLS.
- Work with a range of internal and external partners, customers and colleagues to build effective relationships, clear communications, and ensuring that delivery plans and actions reflect all the relevant issues to be tackled and achieve the best outcomes. Lead on the preparation of investigation files, taking of witness statements, interviewing of suspects and management of evidence in compliance with relevant legislation.
- Carry out site visits and field investigations to identify and collect evidence of offences. Coordinate the negotiation of enforcement undertakings and other voluntary outcomes with suspects to secure positive outcomes for nature. Provide expert advice to the police and other enforcement agencies on environmental offences, including leading investigations into wildlife poisoning incidents under the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme. Attend court and tribunal proceedings to give evidence and robustly defend Natural England’s enforcement decisions as required.
- Liaise with Senior Officers to prepare and serve enforcement sanctions and notices, including warning letters, civil sanctions and prosecution documents. Monitor compliance with enforcement sanctions and notices served on offenders, escalating instances of non-compliance. Comply with internal enforcement guidance to ensure adherence to relevant legislation and regulatory best practice, including applying the principle of cost recovery in all cases.
- Be flexible. Balance multiple work areas and priorities effectively to meet all targets. Escalate and raise risks to delivery to senior colleagues. Produce and deliver guidance and training on areas of expertise to support colleagues’ capabilities, team resilience, and meet team targets.
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Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Evidence of delivering agri-environment schemes and/or carrying out environmental impact assessments of works through statutory processes and/or using standard techniques for the monitoring of species/habitats.
- Search out and understand all the relevant information when dealing with complex situations and show great judgement in reaching decisions.
- Understand Natural England's statutory remit and tell a balanced and integrated story of our strategic direction.
- Identify appropriate solutions for avoidance, mitigation, compensation of environmental impacts and meeting shared outcomes; and identify opportunities for enhancing the natural environment.
- A sound knowledge of environmental legislation including; Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and Conservations of Habitats and Species Regulation 2017.
- Experience of leading on environmental regulation and enforcement and/or high-risk casework.
Benefits
- At Natural England, we support a healthy work-life balance by offering full-time, part-time, and flexible working arrangements.
- We provide excellent opportunities for career progression, training, and development tailored to your role. This includes ten days annually for personal learning and development, plus three additional days for volunteering.
- You’ll receive a generous leave allowance of 25 days per year (pro rata), increasing by one day for each year of service up to 30 days (pro-rata), access to the Civil Service Pension scheme with a 28.97% employer contribution, and a range of benefits such as shopping discounts and a cycle-to-work scheme. Staff can also join the Civil Service Sport club for discounts on sports, leisure activities, and social events.
- We are committed to fairness, equality, and inclusivity. Our employee-led diversity networks help foster a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
Locations
Natural England has adopted hybrid working – which means our staff work from a flexible range of locations, encompassing home, offices (ours and our partners) and relevant sites. All new staff will be formally linked to one of our 25 offices across England, and the expectation is that all new staff will be able to access their local office to be part of the community of staff in their geographical area. Staff are expected to attend their associated office for 20% of their contractual hours.
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Pay
It is Natural England policy to employ at the entry point of the salary range.
How To Apply
- We welcome and encourage applications from all communities. Natural England is accredited to the Disability Confident Scheme, which denotes organisations which have a positive attitude towards disabled people. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements for the role at the shortlisting stage are guaranteed an invitation to interview.
- If you require a reasonable adjustment at interview, or there is anything else you would like the panel to take into consideration, you should notify us of this at application stage where possible, or well in advance of your interview. We now provide primary interview questions in advance for all formal recruitments.
- This vacancy uses competency-based assessment. We'll assess you against the competencies below during the selection process. Please be aware that we reserve the right for roles that receive a high volume of applications to initially sift applications for one competence only.
Competencies
Competence 1
Professional competency
Detail
Personal Effectiveness
- Make and explain objective decisions which combine your professional judgement and evidence. (Practitioner)
- Be ambitious, identify and adopt ways to make improvements in your team and the organisation you represent and inspire others to act. (Practitioner)
Competence 2
Professional competency
Detail
Putting People at the Heart of the Environment
- Nurture trusting partnerships and collaborate to achieve pragmatic outcomes that help deliver the organisation you represents vision, mission and aims. (Practitioner)
- Understand and explain the outcomes that we seek in our enforcement work and how these fit in with local and national issues. (Basic)
Competence 3
Professional competency
Detail
Work Delivery
- Manage and deliver your work to meet agreed targets and deadlines. (Practitioner)
- Handle data responsibly, understand your role in good governance, and comply with delegations, policies and procedures. (Practitioner)
Competence 4
Professional competency
Detail
Technical Skills & Knowledge
- Evidence of delivering agri-environment schemes and/or assessing the impact of works through the habitats regulations processes and/or using standard techniques for the monitoring of species/habitats. (Essential)
- Search out and understand all the relevant information when dealing with complex situations and show great judgement in reaching decisions. (Essential)
- Understand Natural England's statutory remit and tell a balanced and integrated story of our strategic direction. (Essential)
- Identify appropriate solutions for avoidance, mitigation, compensation of environmental impacts and meeting shared outcomes; and identify opportunities for enhancing the natural environment. (Essential)
- A sound knowledge of the legislation giving Natural England its regulatory and enforcement powers is desirable. This includes EIA (agriculture) Act, Wildlife & Countryside Act and Environmental Damage Regulations etc. (Essential)
- Experience of leading on enforcement and/or high-risk regulatory casework. (Essential)
Person Specification
Please Refer To Job Description
Licences
Full Driving licence
Selection process details
Please Refer To Job Description
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security
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