Overview

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 using the 4P approach and will also support colleagues in taking enforcement action in response to other environmental offences.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and disrupt waste crime using the 4P approach and support enforcement actions for other environmental offences.
• Work with subject matter specialists and partner agencies to achieve outcomes.
• Gather intelligence and evidence and prepare case files for court.
• Engage with operators of illegal waste sites to bring them into compliance and, on other days, disrupt an Organised Crime Group operating in the waste sector.
• Engage in challenging conversations with sometimes confrontational individuals, adapting communication style as needed. Waste crime is borderless, so operational roles require agility.

Regular pre-planned travel should be expected and occasional overnight stays may be required. You will need to regularly attend offices to co-locate with your team, attend meetings, maintain visibility across your area and develop investigations.

The Environment Agency is committed to an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome and support flexible working patterns, including job share; we provide training and equipment for your role as part of a comprehensive induction.

The team

Roles are available in a number of area teams across the country. Our Area Enforcement Teams (AETs) include roles such as Team Leader, Senior Enforcement Officer, Senior Environmental Crime Officer and Environmental Crime Officers. We work with Intelligence Officers, Waste Crime Engagement Specialists, site regulators, and the Joint Unit for Waste Crime, and collaborate with police forces and councils.

Experience/skills Required

Your background will be in environmental regulation, intelligence-led enforcement or investigation, with experience collaborating with Partner Organisations such as the police, councils or other government agencies. You will have experience using intelligence products to identify potential lines of enquiry and disruption opportunities.

Essential

• A full UK driving license is required.
• The role is dependent on obtaining Non-Police Personnel Vetting Level 2 (NPPV2).

Desirable

• Understanding and experience of working within an intelligence-led environment, communicating with legal professionals, colleagues and partner enforcement agencies.
• Knowledge of legislation governing criminal investigations, such as Environmental Permitting Regulations, Environmental Protection Act, Police and Criminal Evidence Act, Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act, and Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.

Additional information

• This is a hybrid role. You will work in the field, from a contractual Environment Agency base office (and others) as well as from home. All new staff receive training and participate in incident response duties when needed. More information on incident response is in the candidate pack.
• Face-to-face interviews are likely to be held the week beginning 6 October 2025. CVs are not assessed; responses to competency questions are used for interview selection. For more information, contact thameswastecrime@environment-agency.gov.uk.