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 support colleagues in taking enforcement action in response to other environmental offences. You will work with subject matter specialists and partner agencies to achieve this. This is an interesting and varied role. Waste crime is borderless, so those in our operational roles need to be agile. You will be involved in challenging conversations with sometimes confrontational individuals, requiring you to adapt your communication style.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and disrupt waste crime using the 4P approach and support colleagues in enforcement actions for other environmental offences.
• Collaborate 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 or disrupt Organised Crime Groups in the waste sector, as required.
• Engage in challenging conversations with sometimes confrontational individuals and adapt communication style. Work in a borderless waste crime landscape requiring agility.

Experience/skills Required

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

Essential

• A full UK driver's 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 (e.g., Environmental Permitting Regulations, Environmental Protection Act, Police and Criminal Evidence Act, Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act, Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act).

Contact and additional information

This is a hybrid role. You will be required to work in the field, from a contractual Environment Agency base office (and others) as well as from home. All new starters will receive training and participate in incident response duties when needed. Further information on incident response can be found within the candidate pack.

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

Seniorities and employment

• Seniority level: Associate
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Management and Manufacturing

The Environment Agency is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome flexible working patterns, including job share. We guarantee an interview to applicants with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria. We also provide a comprehensive induction with required equipment.