Overview

The Environment Agency is committed to an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We provide full induction, training, and equipment needed for your role. We are looking for an experienced investigator to join our National Investigations Team as a Senior Environmental Crime Officer. The ideal candidate is an enthusiastic, self-motivated individual with a strong investigative background, good communication skills, and knowledge of running major investigations. Experience of working with Partnership Organisations and leading investigative teams on complex investigations is desirable.

You will work alongside Senior Investigation Managers and our Major Incident Room to lead investigations into serious environmental crimes. You will coordinate all aspects of investigations—from identifying lines of enquiry and reviewing intelligence to raising actions, coordinating evidence gathering, interviews, casefile preparation, and aiming for successful prosecution. Our cases can involve Organised Crime Groups, illegal waste exports, and large-scale fraud.

This role sits within the National Environmental Crime Unit, within the National Regulation and Monitoring Team. The team is nationally dispersed and focuses on bringing serious environmental offenders to justice. See the Additional Information Pack for further details.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate investigations into serious environmental crimes, working with Senior Investigation Managers and the Major Incident Room.
• Identify lines of enquiry, review intelligence, raise and allocate actions, coordinate evidence gathering and interviews, and prepare case files for prosecution.
• Drive investigations to progress and oversee all stages from start to finish.
• Work with Partnership Organisations and develop the investigation team as needed.

Experience and Skills

• High level of attention to detail; hard-working and self-motivated with a strong investigative background.
• In-depth knowledge of investigative legislation (e.g., PACE, CPIA); strong verbal and written communication; basic IT skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams).
• Knowledge of environmental crime, leading serious criminal investigations, and workings of a Major Incident Room is desirable.
• Experience in building and developing investigation teams; driven, proactive, and able to find solutions.
• Successful completion of SC and NPPV2 Vetting within a 6-month probationary period; full driving licence required.

Role Requirements

• Hybrid working arrangement (home and Environment Agency Office); frequent travel for meetings and operational duties.
• Respond to incidents and provide business continuity support; incident role may attract additional pay and training/workplace adjustments will be provided.

Additional Information

• We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns, including job share. Please include any preferred working arrangements on your application.
• Guaranteed Interview Policy for applicants with disabilities who meet minimum criteria.
• Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body; details on continuous service and redundancy considerations are provided for applicants transferring from other sectors.
• For supplier opportunities on government frameworks, visit the Crown Commercial Service information page. Contact elspeth.allum@environment-agency.gov.uk for further information.

Location notes and job postings: Ipswich, Colchester, Woodbridge, Somerton, and other locations as listed.