Regulatory Officer - Combined Packaging Regime - 36043

Environment Agency; Tonbridge; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working patterns

Guaranteed Interview Policy

Job summary

Environment Agency is seeking a Regulatory Officer to help shape England's recycling future. You will regulate packaging producers, plan and deliver compliance activities, and balance field visits with desk-based tasks.

A full UK driving licence is essential to operate nationally and across the South East. You will work with businesses to achieve compliance, perform audits on-site and remotely, and analyse data to inform enforcement decisions.

Qualifications

• Full UK driving licence is essential for fieldwork across the South East.
• Experience in regulatory compliance or enforcement is beneficial.
• Ability to produce accurate reports and analyse data using Microsoft Office tools.

Responsibilities

• Work with businesses to bring them into compliance and investigate suspected non‑compliance.
• Carry out audits on‑site and remotely.
• Build effective relationships with businesses and stakeholders.
• Analyse complex data to support informed decision‑making.
• Handle sensitive information with professionalism and integrity.
• Contribute to improving processes and operational guidance.

Skills

Communications

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Microsoft Office

Education

Full UK Driving License

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

You’ll also play a key role in incident response, with full training and support provided, as well as additional payment where applicable.

We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Diversity and inclusion are central to how we work—we seek it, embrace it, and live it for the benefit of our people, our communities, and the environment. Flexible working patterns, including job sharing, are welcomed.

Knowledge of compliance and enforcement legislation is a bonus—but don’t worry, full training will be provided.

We’ll invest in your growth with specialist training, mentoring, and opportunities to progress within the Environment Agency.

Job Description

As a Regulatory Officer, you’ll play a vital role in shaping the future of recycling in England and see the impact of your work every day. Working within our Combined Packaging Regime team in Waste Markets & Shipments (WM&S), you’ll help reduce waste, improve recycling standards, and support businesses to operate more sustainably. You’ll regulate producers who place packaging on the market, ensuring they meet their legal obligations and manage their packaging waste responsibly.

In this role, you’ll plan, monitor, and deliver compliance and enforcement activities that contribute to a circular economy. The work involves a balance of fieldwork and desk‑based tasks, so a full UK driving licence is essential.

• Work with businesses to bring them into compliance and investigate suspected non‑compliance.
• Carry out audits both on‑site and remotely.
• Build effective relationships with businesses and stakeholders.
• Solve technical challenges and develop practical, evidence‑based solutions.
• Analyse complex data to support informed decision‑making.
• Handle sensitive information with professionalism and integrity.
• Contribute to improving processes and operational guidance.

The team

The auditing team is a supportive and diverse team that truly values collaboration and celebrates success together. United by a shared commitment to protecting the environment, we take pride in the difference our work makes. Working nationally, we improve recycling quality and ensure packaging is responsibly managed. With a blend of fieldwork and desk‑based tasks, we tackle compliance challenges and approach our work with curiosity, integrity, and a genuine willingness to help each other grow.

Experience/skills Required

You’ll thrive in this role if you can:

• Handle challenging conversations with confidence and professionalism.
• Travel as needed across the South East as part of our Packaging Producer team.
• Influence and build strong relationships in complex environments.
• Produce accurate reports and analyse data using Microsoft Office tools.
• Prioritise effectively to manage multiple demands and deliver results.

Knowledge of compliance and enforcement legislation is a bonus—but don’t worry, full training will be provided.

We’ll invest in your growth with specialist training, mentoring, and opportunities to progress within the Environment Agency.

Contact and additional information

The interviews are likely to be held week commencing the 7th and 14th September 2026.

The interview format will be face‑to‑face.

The role will be a mix of office and homeworking, with travel expected across both your area and nationally. The post requires a full UK driving licence. If you do not have this, we will not be able to progress with your application.

Should you require further information please refer to the candidate pack or contact one of the recruiting managers- [e-mail] or [e-mail]

We will be running information calls during August- on the 6th at 09:00, 11th at 14:00 and the 14th at 14:00. Please contact [e-mail], [e-mail] or [e-mail] for an invite to your preferred session.

Competence 1

Takes Decisions and Solves Problems

Describe an example of where you have solved a problem by using relevant information and exploring options.

Competence 2

Communicates Effectively

Describe how you used a range of communication methods to present your views in a convincing way.

Competence 3

Influences and Persuades Others

Describe a time when you persuaded someone or a group to do something that they resisted. Explain the process you went through and how you tried to understand the other person’s point of view.

Role specific license requirements

Full UK Driving License

If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls. Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.