Overview

The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don't just talk about diversity, we seek it, embrace it and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities and our environment.

Everyone starting in a new role will be welcomed into the team and given all of the training and support needed. As part of your comprehensive induction, you will be provided with all the equipment required for your role.

The Environment Agency are looking for an experienced investigator to join our National Investigations Team as a Senior Environmental Crime Officer. We are seeking an enthusiastic, self-motivated individual with a strong investigative background, good communication skills and a sound working knowledge of all aspects of running a major investigation. Experience of working alongside Partnership Organisations and of leading, driving and developing both investigative teams and complex investigations would also be desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead investigations into serious and complex environmental crimes alongside Senior Investigation Managers and the Major Incident Room.
• Coordinate and oversee all aspects of investigations: identifying lines of enquiry, reviewing intelligence, raising and allocating actions, coordinating evidence gathering and interviews, and preparing case files for prosecution.
• Work on investigations involving Organised Crime Groups, illegal waste exports and large-scale fraud.
• Help drive cases forward by using knowledge and experience to manage and progress investigations, and develop the investigative team.

Team and role context

This role sits within the National Environmental Crime Unit, part of the National Regulation and Monitoring Team. The National Investigations Team is a nationally dispersed group of Investigators focused on bringing serious environmental offenders to justice.

Please refer to the Additional Information Pack for further details.

Experience and skills required

• High level attention to detail, hard-working and self-motivated with a strong investigative background.
• In-depth knowledge of investigative legislation such as PACE and CPIA; excellent verbal and written skills; basic IT competency (Word, Excel, Teams).
• Knowledge of environmental crime, leading on serious criminal investigations, and workings of a Major Incident Room would be desirable.
• Experience in building and developing investigation teams; being driven, self-motivated, and proactive in finding solutions.
• Successful completion of SC and NPPV2 Vetting processes within a 6-month probationary period.
• Full driving licence required.

Role-specific requirements

• Hybrid working role with flexibility for home and office locations; frequent travel for meetings and operational duties.
• Responding to incidents is a central part of the role; available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during incidents (may incur additional payment; full training and workplace adjustments available).

Additional information

Please contact elspeth.allum@environment-agency.gov.uk for further information.

Competencies

• Achieves Results – Please provide an example where you have led on a complex or protracted criminal investigation and delivered a successful outcome.
• Takes Decisions and Solves Problems – Please provide an example of leading an investigation with difficult decisions or alternative solutions to overcome unforeseen problems.
• Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality – Please provide an example of implementing a new technique or way of working that improved efficiency.

Licensing

• Full Driving Licence

The Environment Agency is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcomes flexible working patterns, including job share. A Guaranteed Interview Policy supports candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria. The Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service; refer to the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) Order 1999 for potential eligibility. For more information about status, contact your HR Team.

We also have policies for diversity and inclusion and support for interview accessibility. We are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls for certain recruitment needs; see official government guidance for vendors and suppliers.