Overview

This is an exciting opportunity to join a front-line operational area team in the fight to tackle environmental crime. In the Environmental Crime Officer (ECO) role, you will focus on investigating and disrupting waste crime using the 4P approach and will support colleagues in enforcing 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 objectives.
• Gather intelligence, collect evidence, and prepare case files for court.
• Engage with operators of illegal waste sites to bring them into compliance and, at times, disrupt Organised Crime Groups in the waste sector.
• Engage in challenging conversations with sometimes confrontational individuals, adapting communication style as required. Waste crime is borderless, so agility is essential.

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

Team and environment

The Environment Agency is committed to an inclusive workforce. Training and support are provided from day one, including comprehensive induction and equipment required for the role. Roles are based in Area Enforcement Teams (AETs) across the country, working with Intelligence Officers, Waste Crime Engagement Specialists, site regulators, and the Joint Unit for Waste Crime, as well as other enforcement agencies such as police forces and councils.

Experience/skills Required

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

Essential: A full UK driver’s license is required. The role requires obtaining Non-Police Personnel Vetting Level 2 (NPPV2).

Desirable: Understanding and experience of an intelligence-led environment, and experience communicating with legal professionals, colleagues, and partner enforcement agencies. Knowledge of legislation governing criminal investigations (e.g., Environmental Permitting Regulations, Environmental Protection Act, Police and Criminal Evidence Act, Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act, and Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act).

Contact and additional information

This is a hybrid role requiring field work, work from a contractual Environment Agency base office, and home working. All new joiners will undertake training and participate in incident response duties as needed. Further information on incident response can be found in the candidate pack.

Face-to-face interviews are likely to be held the week beginning 6 October 2025. CVs are not assessed; answers to competency questions will be used for interview selection. For more information, contact thameswastecrime@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Competencies

1. Influences and Persuades Others

   Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way to win support for plans.

2. Illegal Activity Detection and Enforcement

   Uses intelligence to detect suspected illegal activities and carries out enforcement actions where detected.

3. Achieves Results

   Sets and delivers high work standards, prioritises tasks, and organises resources to achieve timely results.

Role-specific license requirements

Full UK driving license is required.

Note: If applying from the Civil Service, the Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service. Some local government statuses may affect continuous service or redundancy calculations; please contact your HR Team if unsure.

We welcome flexible working patterns and offer a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support candidates with disabilities.

Other

Seniority level: Associate

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Management and Manufacturing

Location/at-a-glance: Leeds, England, United Kingdom