Environmental Protection Officer (Environmental Enforcement)

London Borough of Sutton; Sutton; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Sutton seeks an Environmental Enforcement Officer to investigate waste offences and abandoned vehicles. Candidates need strong investigation skills, ICT proficiency, and organizational abilities. Key duties involve resolving resident complaints and preparing case files for court. This role offers a supportive environment and various benefits, including generous leave and flexible working arrangements. A full driving license is essential as the position involves working in communities.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

Enhanced family leaves

Hybrid working ability

Learning and development opportunities

Discounts on local shops

Local Government Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in investigation and enforcement activities, preferably in environmental contexts.
• Ability to prepare case files and attend court.
• Good organizational skills and ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Investigate complaints about fly tipping and other waste offences.
• Identify and enforce action on abandoned vehicles.
• Use a range of measures to resolve complaints for residents.

Skills

Investigation skills

Knowledge of PACE and RIPA

Good ICT skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Professional qualification in a related field

Job description

About the Role

and our Ideal Candidate

As a member of our Environmental Enforcement team, you will be part of a small team that delivers a range of environmental enforcement functions across Kingston and Sutton.

The role includes investigating complaints about fly tipping and other waste offences, identification and enforcement of abandoned vehicles, tackling unlawful mooring on the river Thames and using a range of measures to resolve complaints for our residents.

This is not a uniformed officer role and you will not be expected to undertake patrols or issue penalties on the spot, instead you will be expected to keep detailed records as you use your skills to investigate allegations and determine the most appropriate enforcement action to secure resolution to issues. You will bring experience of investigation and enforcement activities preferably in environmental enforcement. Conversant with PACE and RIPA, you will be confident at investigating offences, gathering evidence, taking statements, preparing case files and attending court. Good ICT skills are essential. A good communicator, you will be adaptable and organised with an eye for detail and be able to work on your own initiative, making decisions on the appropriate approach to take. You may have an appropriate professional qualification or experience in a related field. You must be able to demonstrate good organisation skills, an ability to work independently under pressure, work accurately, diligently and prioritise a varied workload, problem solve and make reasoned judgements.

You will be mainly working out in our communities so access to a vehicle for work and a full driving licence are essential. As a member of a small and busy team, you may be called upon to support the wider Shared Environment Service where it is needed.

This is a challenging role providing an ideal opportunity for you to be part of an innovative front-line service.

About Us

Maintaining a healthy and safe environment is a key priority for both Councils. The Environmental Enforcement team works to make the Boroughs cleaner and safer by tackling environmental crime.

The team delivers a range of environmental and highway enforcement functions across both Boroughs. The work of the team is varied and the role involves managing a caseload, responding to urgent requests and taking part in a range of different enforcement activities. Regulatory Services offers a supportive environment to enable you to achieve your professional goals and shape how services are delivered. With offices in both Kingston and Sutton town centres, and modern remote working technology, the service works agilely, with occasional evening and weekend work giving scope for a healthy work life balance.

Our Offer To You

As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we’re committed to helping you fulfil your potential and will offer you a supportive, friendly and collaborative environment to grow and develop your career and skills. We’re constantly striving to improve our ways of working so putting your ideas across however big or small; will be fully encouraged and supported by your colleagues and our dynamic and experienced management team.

Employees have access to a wide range of benefits to enable staff to achieve a work life balance, some of which include :

• A generous annual leave entitlement of 25-32 days, plus bank holidays (pro‑rata if part‑time working hours apply) depending on service and grade.
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, shared parental, adoption and dependants leave
• Three volunteering days per year in Kingston
• Hybrid working (dependent on the role)
• Flexible and agile working arrangements using Google Chromebooks
• Learning and development portal offering a range of courses
• Discounts on a range of local shops, restaurants, gyms and leisure centres
• Interest‑free season ticket loans
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Bicycle loan facilities and cycle to work scheme
• Confidential health & wellbeing and counselling support