Joint Unit for Waste Crime - Senior Environmental Crime Officer - 31067

Environment Agency; Wallingford; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The Environment Agency seeks a Senior Environmental Crime Officer to lead efforts in tackling serious and organised crime in the UK waste industry. This hybrid role involves conducting investigations, working alongside various agencies, and engaging in enforcement activities. Candidates should have a solid background in environmental regulation and experience in law enforcement. Flexibility and travel are part of the responsibilities, with posts available across the UK.

Benefits

Flexible working

Training and incident response duties

Guaranteed Interview Policy for disabled applicants

Qualifications

• Experience working with police or local authorities.
• Knowledge of Environmental Permitting Regulations and relevant legislation.
• Vetting for SC Security Clearance and NPPV2.

Responsibilities

• Conduct multi-agency operations and investigations.
• Prepare case files for court and challenge permit applications.
• Deliver interventions to combat serious and organised crime.

Skills

Environmental regulation

Enforcement

Investigations

Criminal investigation legislation

Intelligence handling

Education

Background in environmental regulation or investigations

Full UK driver’s license

Job description

Be among the first 25 applicants

Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity to join an expanding team in the fight to tackle serious and organised crime in the UK waste industry. In this Senior Environmental Crime Officer role, as the Lead Responsible Officer, you would be responsible and accountable for disrupting and dismantling organised crime groups using a 4P approach. You will work with subject matter specialists and partner agencies to achieve this, and chair multi agency meetings to drive disruption.

This is a challenging & varied role. You will be conducting multi-agency operations, gathering evidence, undertaking overt and covert investigations, preparing case files for court, and challenging permit applications. This also includes delivering interventions to prevent, disrupt, and enforce against those engaged in serious and organised crime.

The Environment Agency is committed to an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We embrace diversity and provide all necessary training and equipment to support new staff. As part of your role, regular travel and occasional overnight stays are expected, with the main enforcement hub in Birmingham.

The team, the Joint Unit for Waste Crime (JUWC), is a multi-agency taskforce working in partnership to combat waste crime in the UK. It includes enforcement agencies and waste industry partners. For more information, visit our website or LinkedIn.

Experience/Skills Required

Essential: Background in environmental regulation, enforcement, or investigations; experience working with police, local authorities, or government agencies; handling sensitive intelligence; knowledge of criminal investigation legislation; full UK driver’s license; vetting for SC Security Clearance and NPPV2.

Desirable: Experience in an intelligence-led environment, legal communication, knowledge of waste investigation legislation (e.g., Environmental Permitting Regulations, Environment Act, PACE, CPIA, RIPA).

Additional Information

Two posts available. Hybrid role based at local Environment Agency offices. Training, incident response duties, and participation in team activities are required. Interviews are scheduled for late July 2025. For an informal discussion, contact Kev Knight at [e-mail].

Competencies

• Illegal Activity Detection and Enforcement: Use intelligence for enforcement; provide a relevant example.
• Achieves Results: Demonstrate high standards and target achievement; provide an example.
• Takes Decisions and Solves Problems: Find innovative solutions; give an example.
• Influences and Persuades Others: Convince others to follow plans; give an example.

Role-specific License Requirements

Driving license required. Note on civil service status and continuous employment considerations. We support flexible working and have a Guaranteed Interview Policy for disabled applicants.

The Environment Agency is committed to value for money and uses government frameworks for recruitment. Direct market engagement is not possible.