Environmental Crime Officer

Environmental Crime Officer
£33,000 (+£2,117 Weighting Allowance for London Abbey Wood location)
Farnham, London SE2 (Abbey Wood), Reading, Wallingford, Welwyn Garden City 
Staff Grade: 4

Are you ready to make a real difference? Join our brand-new water industry enforcement team and
take the lead in addressing serious and complex environmental issues within the water industry.

Bringing your enthusiasm and experience in regulation, enforcement or investigative work,
you’ll play a pivotal role in driving positive change. Guided by a Senior Environmental Crime
Officer, you’ll undertake investigations, gather and critically analyse evidence, and deliver
impactful enforcement actions. Your contributions will include preparing detailed, high-quality
case files that empower the Environment Agency to take decisive action against underperforming
sites.

What will you do?

• Investigate environmental offences, including supporting site inspections and gathering
  evidence.
• Analyse data and materials from site inspections to identify potential offences.
• Write and collect witness statements.
• Exhibit evidence and conduct interviews under caution with suspected offenders.
• Complete relevant training in water industry regulation and be able to identify offences
  and impacts accurately
• Prepare case files and disclosure schedules in line with the Criminal Procedure and
  Investigations Act and the Police and Criminal Evidence Act Code of Practice.
• Provide evidence in court when required.
• Liaise with other agencies and local authorities.

Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required 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 and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role.

We will provide comprehensive training and ensure you have the tools, equipment, and protective
clothing needed to carry out your duties safely and effectively.

There may be occasional overnight stays required, for example, to attend training courses.

The team 

The water industry enforcement team is dedicated to addressing serious and complex performance
issues within the water industry, driving improvements in compliance and environmental
standards. Based in our South East enforcement hub, one of four across England, your team will
work closely with one or more water companies to achieve these goals. You will mostly be office
based with occasional travel to deliver work on investigations and enforcement across your hub.

The team brings specialist enforcement expertise to:

• Reduce environmental offences.
• Effectively tackle complex and serious offences.
• Manage intelligence at the local level.
• Provide expert enforcement advice and support to staff and managers.
• Enhance prevention, intelligence, and enforcement capabilities.

What do I need?

To succeed in this role, you should be able to demonstrate a methodical approach with a keen
eye for detail; confidence in both verbal and written communication; resilience, flexibility,
and professionalism whilst dealing with challenging situations or individuals. You will be able
to complete tasks accurately and with minimum supervision, either working individually or as
part of a team.

Essential:

• The role will require travel from time to time and so a full UK driving licence is
  required. Please note, if you are invited to interview, we will contact you to conduct a DVLA
  driving licence check. More information on this process will be provided to you should you
  reach this stage of the recruitment process.
• Experience in an investigatory or regulatory role, with knowledge of evidence collection
  and production of case files.
• Experience of working with customers.

Desirable:

• An understanding of environmental legislation including the Environmental Permitting
  Regulations and Environment Act.
• Working knowledge of investigative legislation, for example the Police and Criminal
  Evidence Act and Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act.
• Knowledge of corporate investigations.
• Experience of proactively establishing good working relationships with colleagues and/or
  external partners.

What’s in it for you: 

You’ll benefit from a culture that embraces difference and is inclusive where you’ll feel
supported and trusted to do the right thing. We’ll invest in you and allow you to grow and
shape your career. What’s more, you’ll have access to our great benefits package including: 

• A salary of £33,000 (+£2,117 Weighting Allowance for London Abbey Wood location)
• A generous pension scheme.
• Overtime opportunities through standby and incident pay.
• 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays for full-time employees.
• Two days each year to spend taking part in activities that enhance the environment, engage
  with communities, or educate people about the environment
• Great career opportunities.
• Maternity, paternity, and adoption leave scheme.

Options for flexible and / or part-time working will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

As an organisation we strive to reflect the communities we serve. To achieve this, we welcome
applications from all backgrounds regardless of race, sexual orientation, and religion.

To learn more about these roles from those already in them, gain insight into the recruitment
process, and have the chance to ask your questions, join us for our candidate call on: 

• Tuesday 11th March at 12pm

This will be held on Microsoft Teams and is open to all applicants. You do not need to have
submitted an application to join the call, just click the apply button for further information.

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part
of the UK’s largest environmental organisation. Join us, and together, let’s tackle the
challenges of a changing climate and build a more sustainable future. Apply now and embark on a
rewarding and fulfilling career journey with the Environment Agency.

Closing date for applications is Monday 17th March
2025.

Interview Dates: w/c 31st March &
7th April.

Please note that a reserve list will be held, and you may be offered other roles, including
temporary roles, in locations that are similarly aligned to this role.