Environment Officer (Waste Regulation)

£27,749 leading to £33,000 after approximately 18 months

Penrith, Preston, Warrington, Wallingford, Farnham and Welwyn Garden City

Staff Grade: EOA

About Us:

The Environment Agency works to create better places for people and wildlife, and
supports sustainable development.

Being an Environment Officer is one of the most important roles at the Environment Agency. The
waste industry is an essential part of our residential, commercial and industrial
infrastructure that is worth £25 billion, employs almost 150,000 people and manages an
estimated 75 million tonnes of waste a year.

 Why Choose Us:

1. Make a Significant Impact: At the EA (Environment Agency) your work has the power to create
   a lasting impact. Our work addresses national level issues and regulation of the Water
   Industry/Companies comes right at the top of our list. The EA plays a lead role in preserving
   and protecting precious ecosystems and everything else associated with water use through
   effective regulation. Your contributions directly protect and enhance the environment, ensuring
   a brighter future for all.
2. Dynamic and Rewarding: Join a team that thrives on tackling national challenges head-on. At
   the EA, you’ll be part of a dynamic and collaborative environment, working alongside passionate
   professionals who share your commitment to making a difference.
3. Focus on Results: Our work goes beyond rhetoric, as we deliver tangible results. From
   successfully implementing industry regulations to restoring polluted water bodies, the EA has a
   track record of achieving meaningful outcomes that positively impact both people and the
   planet.
4. Continuous Growth: Your professional development matters to us. We provide a range of
   opportunities for growth, including tailored training programs, mentorship initiatives, and
   access to cutting-edge technologies. At the EA, you’ll continuously grow your skills and
   expertise, staying at the forefront of environmental innovation.
5. Join a Values-Driven Organisation: Ethical and values-driven, the EA upholds integrity,
   transparency, and environmental stewardship. By joining us, you align yourself with an
   organisation that holds itself accountable and genuinely cares about creating a sustainable and
   resilient future.
6. Collaborative Community: At the EA, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do.
   You’ll work with diverse teams, bringing together experts from various fields to tackle complex
   environmental challenges. Together, we foster a supportive and inclusive community that
   encourages collaboration, creativity, and knowledge exchange.

What will you do:

Based in one of our area offices as an Environment Officer – Waste, you will be responsible for
regulating a range of waste management companies related to their permitted activities. You
will be expected to regulate a wide variety of waste industry sectors and business models from
small individual operators to large corporate bodies, who use a wide variety of chemical,
biological and physical treatment processes in their waste management activities ensuring they
are carried out without polluting the environment or causing harm to people. The sectors we
regulate include landfill, biowaste, textiles, food & drink and metals.

You will also be responsible for:

1. Tackling illegal waste activities to protect legitimate businesses and prevent
   environmental harm.
2. Working with external partners, including local authorities, police, fire and rescue
   services, and the public.
3. Understanding business financial incentives and helping industries adopt sustainable
   practices.
4. Engaging with local businesses and communities, using strong customer service skills.
5. Enforcing regulations and taking action against breaches. This can lead to potentially
   confrontational situations and, for the most serious offences, may require giving evidence in
   court.
6. Responding to environmental incidents, sometimes out of hours (with potential additional
   payment).

You will also:

1. Work collaboratively within a team, receiving backup from colleagues and incident support
   staff
2. Using your excellent customer service skills to engage with local business, communities,
   and operators.
3. Enforce environmental regulations and ensure waste management companies improve their
   performance.
4. Travel frequently and sometimes unexpectedly to various sites to conduct inspections and
   take action if environmental regulations have been breached.

The waste industry faces challenges to constantly strive to minimise and reduce waste, recycle
and prevent waste going to disposal routes which have higher environmental impact. This makes
the waste industry one of the most interesting, varied and innovative sectors to work with.
Learning how the industry works, how to follow the financial incentives for business, and
future proof industry is an extremely interesting and rewarding part of the role that will
equip you as a regulator to engage positively with industry partners.

Training & Development

You’ll enter the role on a EOA grade and follow a structured development programme to reach EOB
grade. This is expected to take up to 18 months and is awarded after demonstrating the required
capabilities. In the initial months, some of the training is residential, around 3-5
days at a time for at least 3 weeks. (Travel and overnight stays are required to allow you to
complete this training).

Training includes:

1. Residential and e-learning courses.
2. Fieldwork shadowing experienced officers.
3. Health and safety training.
4. Learning to use EA systems.
5. Receiving initial authorisation, followed by a warrant for regulatory powers.

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 could include working out of normal working hours
e.g. at night or weekends. This may attract an additional payment and full training will be
available to support you with your incident role. 

What Do You Need?

Essential:

1. Full UK Driving License. Please note a provisional driving licence will not be accepted and
   will prevent you being appointed. (Please note, should you be 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)
2. GCSE Grade A-C or equivalent in science-related subject or have equivalent work experience
3. Experience of working with customers.

Ideally you will have previous regulatory experience and/or scientific background, but if this
is your first role or a career change, we would expect you to draw upon previous scientific
knowledge while going through relevant training. The most important thing we are looking for is
a passion for the environmental improvement and resilience to succeed.

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:

1. A salary up to £27,749 at Induction Stage, rising to £33,000 after completion of approx.
   18-months training.
2. A generous pension scheme.
3. Overtime opportunities through standby and incident pay.
4. 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays for full-time employees.
5. Two additional days for paid environmental outcomes giving you the opportunity to take part
   in community activities.
6. Great career opportunities.
7. Maternity, paternity, and adoption leave scheme.

Options for flexible and / or part-time working may 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.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Click apply and start your application
today!

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the UK’s biggest 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 24th February 2025.

Interview Dates: w/c 17th March to 4th April 2025.