Overview

We are seeking an Intelligence Research Officer to join the National Environmental Crime Unit (NECU). The Environment Agency aims to be an intelligence-led organisation and this role contributes to managing threat, risk and harm in line with current guidance. Environmental crime is a strategic priority, with high profile attention from public, media and national/international stakeholders. The role supports investigations, helps prioritise interventions to remove unlawful operators from waste regimes, and delivers actionable intelligence products for our customers.

We are committed to an inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns, including job share. Please include any information about your preferred working arrangements on your application. Responding to incidents is a central part of our work; you will have an incident role and may be required to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support. This may attract additional payment and full training, with alternative working arrangements available to support your incident role.

Location is flexible with a mix of home and office working. Travel to Birmingham and Sheffield offices may be required on occasion. Interviews are expected to be held via Microsoft Teams in September 2025.

Team and role context

You will be part of the Environment Agency’s Intelligence & Partnerships department, working with intelligence professionals to provide intelligence products and assessments to support colleagues. 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 regulate industry, ensure compliance, and help eliminate illegal activities including Organised Crime Groups.

Responsibilities

• Proactively develop and access intelligence from a range of sources to inform decision making.
• Produce actionable intelligence products for customers and support investigations.
• Coordinate and contribute to incident response and business continuity efforts as required.
• Collaborate with partners and represent the Environment Agency professionally.
• Support the prioritisation of interventions to remove unlawful operators from waste regimes.
• Contribute to the dissemination of intelligence to relevant stakeholders and teams.

Qualifications and skills

• Experience collecting and evaluating data from diverse sources to produce or inform intelligence products, including interrogation of IT systems and databases. Strong curiosity for finding information is essential.
• Good communication skills; ability to listen, transmit information effectively, and represent the Environment Agency professionally with partners.
• Ability to use standard IT packages and to retrieve information accurately and efficiently.
• Strong teamwork skills with an inclusive approach and the ability to juggle administrative tasks and adapt to changing priorities.

Experience and competencies

• Competence 1 — Achieves Results: Demonstrates the ability to manage multiple activities and deliver effectively under time pressure.
• Competence 2 — Data and Information Management: Experience gathering detailed information from multiple sources to inform decisions.
• Competence 3 — Builds and Sustains Relationships: Ability to establish rapport with customers or partners and develop working relationships.

Additional information

Note on Civil Service status: Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service; continuous service may not apply. For applicants from local government, continuity of service for redundancy calculations may apply in some circumstances. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and guarantee an interview policy for candidates with disabilities who meet minimum criteria.

Security vetting checks (SC and NPPV3) will be required. For informal discussion please contact vacancy managers Pete Booth or Sam Morrison.

Job details

• Seniority level: Associate
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Research, Analyst, and Information Technology