Job Overview

The Environment Agency is committed to an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We do not just talk about diversity—we seek it, embrace it and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities and our environment.

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.

You will work alongside our Senior Investigation Managers and our Major Incident Room in leading investigations into the most serious and complex environmental crimes. You will coordinate and oversee all aspects of investigations, from identifying lines of enquiry, reviewing intelligence, raising and allocating actions, coordinating evidence gathering and interviews, through to casefile preparation and prosecution.

Investigations can be complex and varied, often involving Organised Crime Groups, illegal waste exports and large-scale fraud. This role offers an exciting opportunity for anyone with relevant investigative experience to take their skills and knowledge into the arena of serious environmental crime.

The Team

This role sits within the National Environmental Crime Unit, part of the National Regulation and Monitoring Team. The National Investigations Team are a nationally dispersed team of Investigators focused on bringing the most serious environmental offenders to justice. Your skills will help lead, coordinate and progress investigations and develop the team. See the Additional Information Pack for details.

Experience/Skills Required

• High level of 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 and Teams).
• Knowledge of environmental crime, leading serious criminal investigations and Major Incident Room operations desirable.
• Experience in building and developing investigation teams; driven, self-motivated and able to use initiative to find solutions.
• Successful completion of both SC and NPPV2 Vetting processes within a 6‑month probationary period; full driving licence required.

Role requirements

• Hybrid working role (home and office) with flexibility; travel for meetings and operational duties; incident response may attract additional payment and training.
• Contact: elspeth.allum@environment-agency.gov.uk for further information.

Competencies

• Achieves Results: Provide an example of leading a complex or protracted criminal investigation and delivering a successful outcome.
• Takes Decisions and Solves Problems: Provide an example of leading an investigation with difficult decisions and/or alternative solutions.
• Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality: Provide an example of implementing a new technique or way of working that improved efficiency.

Licence and other information

• Full Driving Licence

The Environment Agency is an equal opportunities employer and supports flexible working patterns, including job share. We guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities meeting minimum criteria. We are a non‑departmental public body and use government frameworks for external recruitment.