Overview

We are seeking an Intelligence Research Officer to join the National Environmental Crime Unit (NECU). The Environment Agency’s ambition is to be an intelligence-led organisation, and this role contributes to managing threat, risk and harm. Environmental crime is a strategic priority with high-profile attention from the public, media and stakeholders. This role provides an opportunity to support investigations and help prioritise and drive interventions to remove unlawful operators from waste regimes. You will develop and access intelligence from a range of sources to inform decision making and provide actionable intelligence products for internal customers.

We are committed to an inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns, including job share. 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 be available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support. This may attract additional payment, with full training and 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 occasions. Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams and are expected to be held in September 2025. Security vetting checks (SC and NPPV3) will be required.

Future recruitment from the reserve list will be retained.

We welcome applications from groups that are under-represented across our workforce and are committed to a diverse and inclusive environment.

Responsibilities

• Proactively develop and access intelligence from a range of sources to inform decision making and provide actionable intelligence products.
• Support investigations and prioritise interventions to remove unlawful operators from the waste regimes.
• Respond to incidents as part of an incident role, with training and potential additional payment; adapt working arrangements as needed.
• Collaborate with intelligence professionals within the NECU to support colleagues with intelligence products and assessments.

Experience/Skills Required

• Experience collecting and evaluating data from diverse sources to produce or inform intelligence products; ability to interrogate IT systems and databases; enthusiasm and curiosity for finding information.
• Good communication skills with the ability to listen and convey information effectively; professional representation of the Environment Agency with partners.
• Ability to use standard IT packages and retrieve information accurately; able to switch between tasks and manage administrative activities to support colleagues and customers.
• Strong teamwork and an inclusive approach.

Qualifications and Other

• Security vetting checks (SC and NPPV3) will be required.
• Location: flexible (home/office); occasional travel to Birmingham and Sheffield.
• Interviews via Microsoft Teams expected in September 2025.
• We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and flexible working arrangements; we also offer a Guaranteed Interview Policy for applicants with a disability.
• The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body; for supplier opportunities, visit the Crown Commercial Service guidance referenced in the original description.

Contact

For an informal discussion please contact vacancy managers at pete.booth@environment-agency.gov.uk or sam.morrison@environment-agency.gov.uk.