Job Description

We are seeking an Intelligence Research Officer to join the National Environmental Crime Unit (NECU) in a dynamic part of the business. The Environment Agency’s ambition is to be an intelligence-led organisation, so having the ability to manage intelligence professionally and in line with current guidance is essential to ensuring threat, risk and harm is appropriately assessed and managed. Environmental crime is a strategic priority, attracting high-profile attention from the public, media, national and international stakeholders. This role provides an exciting opportunity to support investigations and help prioritise and drive forward interventions to remove unlawful operators from the waste regimes. You will help deliver our response by pro-actively developing and accessing intelligence from a range of sources to inform decision making and provide actionable intelligence products for our customers.

We are committed to an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for our vacancies, including job share, so please clearly include any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application. Responding to incidents is a central part of our work. 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. Any future recruitment will be taken from the reserve list.

The Team
NECU supports the Environment Agency’s enforcement community across 14 geographical areas and national services, tackling around 40,000 suspected and alleged offences each year. We help protect and improve the environment by regulating industry, ensuring compliance, and eliminating illegal activities including Organised Crime Groups. You will be part of our Intelligence & Partnerships department, working with intelligence professionals, providing intelligence products and assessments to support colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Collect and evaluate data and information from a wide range of sources to produce or inform intelligence products.
• Prepare and deliver research summaries; interrogate IT systems and databases; demonstrate enthusiasm and curiosity for finding information.
• Pro-actively develop intelligence to support decisions and interventions to remove unlawful operators.
• Provide timely, accurate, and actionable intelligence to internal and external customers.

Qualifications / Skills

• Experience of interrogating IT systems and databases; ability to collect and evaluate data from diverse sources.
• Ability to translate information into actionable intelligence; strong analytical and research skills.
• Good communication skills with the ability to listen and transmit information effectively.
• Ability to represent the Environment Agency professionally with partners; use own initiative and adapt approaches as needed.
• Proficiency with standard IT packages; ability to retrieve information accurately.
• Strong teamwork and an inclusive, supportive approach; ability to juggle administrative activities to support colleagues and customers.

Location & Working Arrangements

Location is flexible with a mix of home and office working; travel to Birmingham and Sheffield offices may be required on occasions.

Selection Process & Other Information

Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams and are expected to be held in September 2025.

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome applications from under-represented groups. We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria.

Security vetting checks (SC and NPPV3) will be required.

For an informal discussion, please contact the vacancy manager at the Environment Agency: pete.booth@environment-agency.gov.uk or sam.morrison@environment-agency.gov.uk