Environment Agency
Environmental Crime Officer - 33875
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Desirable:
- Experience operating in an intelligence-led environment, confidently communicating with legal professionals, colleagues, and partner enforcement bodies
- Strong working knowledge of key legislation underpinning criminal investigations, including the Environmental Permitting Regulations, Environmental Protection Act, Police and Criminal Evidence Act, Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act, and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act
Open-source checks of applicants will be carried out during the recruitment process, including a check against the Police Barred List.
Job Description
This is an exciting opportunity to join a front-line operational area team in the fight to tackle environmental crime. In this Environmental Crime Officer (ECO) role, you will focus on investigating and disrupting waste crime but will also support colleagues in taking enforcement action in response to other environmental offences. You will work with subject matter specialists and partner agencies to achieve this.
This is an interesting and varied role. You will be working with others, gathering intelligence and evidence and preparing case files for court. You may be working with an operator of an illegal waste site, bringing them into compliance one day, and disrupting an Organised Crime Group operating in the waste sector the next day. You will be involved in challenging conversations with sometimes confrontational individuals, requiring you to adapt your communication style.
Waste crime is borderless, so those in our operational roles need to be agile. Occasional pre-planned travel should be expected and overnight stays may be required. You will need to regularly attend offices to co-locate with your team, attend meetings, maintain the visibility across your area and develop investigations.
The nature of this role often involves activity at outdoor venues. These will at times require officers to walk across the open countryside on rough ground or climb steep slopes.
Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be asked to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment, and full training will be available to support you with your incident role.
The team
The role is based in Welwyn Garden City, covering London north of the Thames and Hertfordshire.
The Area Enforcement Teams (AETs) are comprised of a minimum of a Team Leader, Senior Enforcement Officer, Senior Environmental Crime Officer, and Environmental Crime Officers.
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We work with Intelligence Officers, Waste Crime Triage Officers, Waste Crime Engagement Specialists, Waste Regulation/Installation Officers for permitted sites, and national enforcement teams. We work with other enforcement agencies including police forces and councils.
Experience/skills Required
You will bring a background in environmental regulation, intelligence-led enforcement, or investigations, with experience of working with partner organisations such as police, local authorities, or other government agencies. Demonstrated ability to use intelligence products to identify lines of enquiry and uncover opportunities for disruption is essential.
Essential:
- A full UK driving license
- Security Check “SC” vetting is required for this role (applicants must have resided in the UK for the 5 years before applying)
Contact and additional information
You will be asked to supply information in relation to declarations of interest. Any private interest which might influence or be reasonably thought by others to influence your impartiality or the performance of your obligations under a Contract of Employment must be declared.
This is a hybrid role. You will be required to work in the field, from our office in Welwyn Garden City as well as being able to work from home.
Face to face interviews will be held end of September 2026.
We do not assess CVs, your answers to the competency questions will be used for interview selection.
To discuss more about the role please contact Neil Crux - Neil.crux@environment-agency.gov.uk or Carrie-Ann Sharpe - Carrie-Ann.Sharpe@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Competence 1
Achieves Results
Description
Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.
Question
Please provide an example of a piece of work you have led on, which involved working with others, where you overcame challenges to achieve an outcome.
Competence 2
Influences and Persuades Others
Description
Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will inspire people to actively engage, contribute and follow plans.
Question
Please provide an example of a time you have positively influenced others to work together to achieve an aim or objective.
Competence 3
Illegal Activity Detection and Enforcement
Description
Uses intelligence to detect suspected illegal activities. Instigates and carries out enforcement action where illegal activities have been detected.
Question
Please tell us about an investigation or enforcement activity that you have been part of that you are particularly proud of.
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Role specific license requirements
Full UK driving licence
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.
We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls. Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate, and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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