Environmental Standards Scotland
Senior Investigations Officer
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Job Summary
Environmental Standards Scotland’s (ESS) role is to monitor, investigate and secure public authorities’ compliance with environmental law in Scotland. We also scrutinise the effectiveness of environmental law and policy in Scotland and how it is implemented and applied. In our investigative and analytical reports, we may also identify instances where we consider there to be gaps in environmental protection legislation.
ESS is an independent non-ministerial office, accountable to the Scottish Parliament and overseen by a non-executive board. It is part of the Scottish Administration and its employees are civil servants. Full details are available on the ESS website.
Our Strategy 2026-2031 sets out how we will work as an organisation to deliver our vision that ‘by holding public authorities to account, we will ensure that Scotland’s people and nature benefit from a high-quality, healthy environment through improved compliance with and better implementation of effective environmental law’.
Job Description
ESS’ role is to independently scrutinise, investigate and secure improvements in public authorities’ compliance with environmental law, the effectiveness of environmental law, and the way it is being implemented and applied in Scotland.
The role of Senior Investigations Officer is critical to this high-profile, complex and consequential work. The role holder will be responsible for managing a case load of issues under consideration by ESS. This will include the investigation of matters brought to the attention of ESS by stakeholders and members of the public.
As such the successful candidate will be competent in analysing large amounts of information, identifying solutions, presenting clear information and recommendations and engaging successfully with stakeholders and public authorities. The SIO will assist in the management of workload and the successful candidate should therefore have excellent organisational and prioritisation skills. The role also requires the production of concise and compelling reports to document the findings of our investigations and to publicise the outcome of them.
Key Duties And Responsibilities Include:
- conduct initial sifting into matters of concern with respect to a public authority’s compliance with environmental law, the application or implementation of environmental law, or the effectiveness of environmental law itself, to understand whether there is a significant matter within the scope of ESS, and making connections between issues raised to spot underlying systemic problems
- investigate matters of concern selected for investigation with respect to a public authority’s compliance with environmental law or the effectiveness of environmental law, in a fair and impartial manner and in accordance with ESS’ Strategy and procedures
- be the point of contact for people and organisations raising matters of concern
- engage effectively with public authorities and others as part of individual investigations from their inception through to its completion
- obtain, by way of written requests for information, calls and meetings, research and consultation with other staff, all substantive, information pertinent to matters under consideration
- maintain appropriate records of investigations
- prepare timely, high quality, evidence-based reports on findings, in accordance with requirements
- support the head of department in developing policies and procedures
- assist in the planning and managing of the investigation function and achieving planned outputs as agreed with the head of department
- assist the head of department in producing regular advice and recommendations to the Board on matters of concern brought to the attention of ESS
- assist the head of department in providing high quality information to the Board on any aspect of the work of the investigations team
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The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Person Specification
experience of investigating / scrutinising issues to reach decisions and making consequential recommendations for change, preferably in relation to complex matters involving environmental law.
experience of working in a team at pace to deliver high quality products or service.
excellent communication and influencing skills with the ability to establish strong working relationships with a range of internal and senior external stakeholders
excellent organisational and prioritisation skills with the ability to work independently to deliver at pace, without sacrificing quality
Essential criteria
- Proven experience of using analytical skills to explore issues and reach decisions based on evaluating a range of evidence, preferably in relation to legally complex matters involving the implementation and interpretation of law.
- Proven experience of building and maintaining strong working relationships with internal and senior external stakeholders.
- Proven experience of producing high quality, formal, written reports that are clear, comprehensive and which have withstood scrutiny.
- Excellent planning and organisational skills, including the ability to balance competing demands.
Desirable criteria
- Working experience of Scottish environmental law.
Qualifications/experience Required
We are looking for candidates with a minimum of four years proven experience working in a scrutiny-focussed organisation (for example: inspection, audit, regulatory, or evaluation).
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Making Effective Decisions
Alongside your salary of £49,401, Environmental Standards Scotland contributes £14,311 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
ESS is an independent public body focused on ensuring Scotland achieves the highest environmental standards. We seek skilled individuals who have a passion for improving environmental standards through public service, who can work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
In Return, We Offer a Competitive Employment Package Including:
- enrolment in the civil service pension scheme
- a range of flexible working arrangements as well as flexitime to ensure a working pattern that meets both your needs as well as those of the organisation
- 25 days annual leave with an increase to 30 days after two years of reckonable service, plus 11.5 days of public and privilege holidays
- six months full pay for maternity, adoption or shared parental leave, five weeks full pay for paternity leave and paid leave for any antenatal appointments
- a range of paid special leave including leave for carers and bereavement leave
- a strong commitment to investing in the personal and professional development of all staff
- dedicated wellbeing support and services for all staff including access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
- exceptional workplace adjustment support to remove barriers to enable staff to achieve their full potential
We are building a culture that encourages inclusion and diversity and we particularly encourage applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds. We also offer access to a range of network groups to support equality, diversity and inclusion.
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The post allows flexible working and is open to full time or, by agreement, other working patterns including part-time, job share or compressed hours with a minimum requirement of 28 hours per week.
Artificial intelligence
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. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
This competition is being run in accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles.
The selection panel will use your application to assess your suitability for the role against the essential criteria during sifting using your statement of suitability and your CV.
If you are shortlisted, you will be provided with full details of the next stages of the selection process.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Please note, if you fail to demonstrate how you meet the minimum experience as stated above, your application will be automatically sifted out.
The behaviours required for this role are shown below. You will be assessed against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a quality service
- Making effective decisions
- Working together
- Communicating and influencing
- Delivering at pace
Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's experience, skills, and potential fit within our organisation. This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your behaviours, strengths and experience.
The Selection Process For This Role Will Be:
Stage 1: Short stage application form
Please complete the first stage short application form, which includes your personal details, eligibility to apply and any reasonable adjustments required.
Stage 2: Written application and sift
As part of the application process, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
-
Behaviours – you will be asked to provide a 250-word statement on each of the following Behaviours:
- Managing a quality service
- Making effective decisions
-
Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (1000-word count). Your personal statement should explain why you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience are suitable for this role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.
You should read each of the essential criteria, and think about a time, or an example, that can help demonstrate your knowledge/skills. Remember, this must be evidence based and your answers should be clear, concise and reflect what actions you undertook. You may want to use the STAR(R) approach to respond to each criterion. Please read and understand the key criteria thoroughly, as this is what your written evidence will be assessed against.
ESS uses the Scottish Government Civil Service Success Profile framework which is made up of three elements: Behaviours, Experience and Technical. ESS strongly recommends you have a
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