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’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 are 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 proactively 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 and welcome flexible working patterns for our vacancies, including job share. Please 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.

Team context: 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 to 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 to provide intelligence products and assessments to support colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Collect and evaluate data and information from a wide variety of sources to produce or inform intelligence products
• Prepare and deliver research summaries; interrogate IT systems and databases; maintain enthusiasm and curiosity for finding information
• Pro-actively develop intelligence and provide actionable intelligence to inform decision making for customers
• Support investigations and help prioritise and drive interventions to remove unlawful operators from waste regimes
• Represent the Environment Agency professionally with a variety of partners
• Communicate effectively, listen to others, and use initiative to adapt approaches as required
• Use standard IT packages to retrieve information accurately and efficiently
• Collaborate with colleagues in a team-oriented, inclusive environment

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience in collecting and evaluating data from diverse sources to inform intelligence products
• Experience interrogating IT systems and databases; ability to deliver research summaries
• Strong curiosity and enthusiasm for information discovery
• Good communication skills and the ability to identify when a change in approach is needed

Location and Working Arrangements

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

Security and Eligibility

Note that security vetting checks (SC and NPPV3) will be required. For Civil Service applicants, Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service and would not be a Crown Servant upon appointment. Some local government continuity of service provisions may apply; contact your HR team if unsure.

Interviews

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

Additional Information

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 those with a disability who meet the minimum criteria.