Overview

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 aims to be an intelligence-led organisation, with threat, risk and harm assessed and managed by professional intelligence practices. Environmental crime is a strategic priority, attracting high-profile attention from the public, media, and national/international stakeholders. This role supports investigations and helps prioritise and drive interventions to remove unlawful operators from the waste regimes. You will pro-actively develop and access intelligence from a range of sources to inform decision making and provide actionable intelligence products for 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 be required to have an incident role and be available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract additional payment and full training, with alternative working arrangements available to support you in your incident role.

Location is flexible, with some travel to Birmingham and Sheffield offices on occasion. Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams in September 2025.

Note: future recruitment may come from a reserve list. The Environment Agency is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and guarantees an interview to applicants with a disability if they meet the minimum criteria.

Responsibilities

• Proactively develop and access intelligence from a range of sources to inform decision-making and provide actionable intelligence products.
• Support investigations and help prioritise and drive interventions to remove unlawful operators from waste regimes.
• Respond to incidents as part of an incident role and provide business continuity support when required.
• Collaborate with intelligence professionals to deliver intelligence products and assessments for colleagues.

Experience and Qualifications

• Experience collecting and evaluating data from diverse sources to produce or inform intelligence products, including preparing and delivering research summaries; experience interrogating IT systems and databases is essential.
• Enthusiasm and curiosity for finding information.
• Good communication skills with the ability to listen and transmit information effectively.
• Ability to represent the Environment Agency professionally with partners; use initiative and adapt as needed.
• Competence in standard IT packages and the ability to retrieve information accurately.
• Strong teamwork and an inclusive approach; ability to juggle administrative activities and switch between tasks as required.

Security and Eligibility

• Security vetting checks (SC and NPPV3) will be required.
• Note about Civil Service status: Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service; eligibility for continuous service may vary depending on prior service. If unsure, contact your HR team.

Work Arrangements and Location

You will be comfortable working in a dispersed team. Location is flexible with a mix of home and office working; travel to Birmingham and Sheffield offices may be required on occasion.

How to Apply and Contact

For informal discussion, please contact vacancy managers Pete Booth or Sam Morrison at environment-agency.gov.uk.