32589 - Senior Environmental Crime Officer

Environment Agency; Welwyn Garden City; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental environmental body in the UK is seeking a senior team member to lead enforcement operations against environmental crime. You will manage investigations, support less experienced officers, and collaborate with external partners. The role requires experience in disruption operations and knowledge of relevant legislation. Confidence in dealing with challenging situations and effective communication skills are also essential for success. This position offers a chance to make a significant impact on environmental protections.

Qualifications

• Experience managing disruption operations and investigations.
• In-depth knowledge of criminal investigation legislation.
• Experience coaching and mentoring others.
• Proactive health and safety management.
• Confidence in handling hostile customers.
• Effective communication with legal and partner agencies.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning investigations for environmental crimes.
• Conduct investigations and gather evidence for cases.
• Respond to environmental incidents and provide support.
• Collaborate with external enforcement bodies on operations.

Skills

Managing complex disruption operations

Knowledge of legislation governing investigations

Coaching and mentoring

Health and safety management

Dealing with difficult customers

Communication with legal professionals

Job description

The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve.

This role presents an exciting opportunity to get involved in a rapidly developing area of crime. You will undertake disruption operations and specialist enforcement activities following a risk-based approach targeting the greatest environmental offences across Hertfordshire and North London.

As a senior member of the team you will assist the Team Leader with work planning and supporting less experienced officers plan and deliver their investigations. You will need to be able to inspire the team, apply business processes and maximise the use of resources in an efficient and effective way.

For your own cases, and those of the team members you will support, you will stop and/or disrupt illegal waste activity, investigate suspected offences and deliver enforcement action for significant and serious cases of environmental crime (predominantly waste) within our area. As lead investigating officer you will be responsible for gathering evidence in line with legislative requirements (including taking witness statements, conducting suspect interviews, carrying out covert surveillance, etc) building case files and attending court.

This role may involve working with confrontational people and organised criminal networks requiring you to adapt your communication style to the situation. You will use internal and external partners to help stop illegal activity or bring it into regulatory compliance.

Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. 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. Full training and workplace adjustments will be available to support you with your incident role.

The team

You’ll join a dedicated Enforcement Team that tackles high priority and serious and organised waste crime, dealing with complex legislation that allows for a variety of enforcement options and increasingly using disruption techniques to offenders’ day to day activities. The team provide governance and support delivery of effective and efficient enforcement action in the Area. The team liaises with enforcement and intelligence colleagues across the organisation and routinely works closely with external enforcement bodies.

Experience/skills required

• Experience managing complex disruption operations and/or investigations from start to finish, achieving results, working alone and with others.
• In-depth knowledge of both the legislation which governs criminal investigations (Police and Criminal Evidence Act, Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act, Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act) and that relating to waste management – if you have knowledge gaps in one of these areas we would expect a willingness and dedication on securing this knowledge within the first six months of starting the role.
• Experience being an effective coach and mentor with an ability to inspire others.
• Proactive management of the health and safety of yourself and others.
• Confidence in dealing with hostile/difficult customers.
• Confidence in communicating with legal professionals, colleagues and partner enforcement agencies – you will need to be creative in working with partner organisations to help achieve our aims.