Marine Enforcement Officer (MEO)

Welsh Government; Carmarthen; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental body in Wales is seeking a candidate for a hands-on role focused on protecting the marine environment and supporting sustainable fisheries. You will monitor fish landings, conduct investigations, and enforce regulations while collaborating with various partners. The ideal candidate should have compliance monitoring and enforcement experience and be ready to contribute to impactful work in a dynamic team environment. Flexible working options and professional development are part of the benefits package.

Benefits

Learning and development tailored to your role

Flexible working options

Civil Service pension with employer contribution of 28.97%

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in marine enforcement and compliance.
• Strong understanding of fisheries regulations.
• Ability to gather intelligence and prepare case files.

Responsibilities

• Monitor fish landings and verify compliance.
• Conduct investigations and gather evidence for prosecutions.
• Enforce fisheries plans and protect marine environments.
• Provide expert advice to policy teams on marine issues.
• Engage with various stakeholders, including the fishing community.

Skills

Compliance monitoring

Data collection and analysis

Technical guidance

Investigative skills

Team collaboration

Job description

Join a dynamic national team working at the heart of Wales' marine environment. This role offers a unique opportunity to make a real impact by protecting our seas and supporting sustainable fisheries. You'll deliver statutory services on behalf of the Welsh Government, supporting the Welsh fishing community, carrying out inspection and, where necessary, enforcement activities across the fishing industry and marine construction within Wales.

• Monitor fish landings at local ports for compliance and verify logbooks and landing declarations.
• Investigate and gather evidence for potential prosecutions, including preparing case files and, where required, giving evidence in court.
• Plan and enforce intertidal fisheries (e.g., hand gathering of cockles, shore netting).
• Spend time at sea on one of the Welsh Government's Fisheries Patrol Vessels, conducting enforcement activities and safeguarding marine habitats.

Why This Role is Exciting

• Variety and challenge – no two days are the same, from port inspections to patrols at sea.
• Impactful work – play a key role in protecting Wales' marine environment and supporting sustainable fishing practices.
• Professional development – gain specialist enforcement experience and work alongside experts in marine and fisheries management.
• Team culture – be part of a supportive, national team committed to high standards and collaboration.

Person specification

What You'll Be Doing

This is a hands‑on, varied role where you'll play a key part in protecting Wales' marine environment and supporting sustainable fisheries. Your work will combine technical expertise, enforcement duties, and collaboration with a wide range of partners.

• Shape and enforce fisheries plans – implement strategies for commercial fisheries and ensure compliance both at sea and ashore.
• Protect marine environments – enforce regulations to safeguard habitats and biodiversity.
• Gather intelligence and evidence – monitor fishing activities, collect data, and, where required, conduct investigations under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. Prepare case files and, when required, give evidence in court.
• Provide expert advice – offer technical guidance to policy teams on fishing operations, fish distribution, processing, and marine issues.
• Engage and collaborate – work closely with the fishing industry, Welsh Government teams, Law Enforcement, Natural Resources Wales, and other statutory bodies.
• Patrol and enforce at sea – undertake seagoing patrols on Welsh Government Fisheries Patrol Vessels and operate shore‑launched craft for coastal enforcement.

Licences

Do you hold a full UK Driving licence?

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

Number of Stages: 2 stage process

Stage 1 Application Form

Stage 2 Interview

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in a new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window), We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. Please see the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles on the Commission's website.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and wish to make a complaint please email [e-mail]. Please ensure that you refer to the vacancy reference number.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Welsh Government, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: [e-mail].