Fisheries Enforcement Officer - 3198

We’re looking for a Fisheries Enforcement Officer to join us in the East Anglia Area. This exciting and unique opportunity will suit an individual with experience of tackling crime, carrying out investigations and submitting casefiles. Using the intelligence-led enforcement approach to detect and deal with fisheries offences, you’ll help us to protect and enhance our fisheries habitats and stocks for current and future generations.

As a Fisheries Enforcement Officer, you will hold an authorisation under the Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 (SAFFA), which confers a wide range of enforcement powers and responsibilities, and demands high standards of professional conduct. You will need to successfully complete an appropriate conflict resolution course to obtain and maintain this authorisation.

Mostly field-based, you will undertake regular fisheries enforcement patrols with colleagues, police and other enforcement partners, using your initiative to target, disrupt and take action against fisheries crime. You will also support other Fisheries Enforcement Officers across the Area when required, working at weekends and some evenings / early mornings. Fisheries Enforcement Officers need to be flexible, and able to plan, adapt and respond where pressures demand. Administration skills are necessary, including an ability to keep accurate records and input / retrieve data.

Situated within the Enforcement Team, you'll specialise in High Impact Fisheries Enforcement (HIFE) and rod licence checking across the Area to enforce legislation relating to illegal fishing, fish movements and alien fish species. Where appropriate you’ll attend reported incidents of illegal fishing, use your excellent influencing and communication skills to promote our work and deal with hostile situations. It is highly likely that the successful candidate will be expected to undertake specialist surveillance training.

You will have experience of investigating crime and taking enforcement action against offenders, with a proven track record of tackling crime. Experience of working in the field of fisheries enforcement and a knowledge of angling is desirable, but not essential. You’ll possess;

- A keen interest in enforcement;
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and organisational skills;
- Experience of conflict resolution techniques is desirable but not essential, and the successful candidate will be expected to pass mandatory conflict resolution training, which demands a level of physical fitness;
- A full UK driving licence and ability to swim are essential; boat handling experience / qualifications is / are desirable;
- Knowledge of fisheries and environmental legislation would be an advantage, but not essential;
- Have a proven ability to complete tasks accurately and with minimum supervision, either working individually or as part of a team.

Closing Date: 4th April 2017 at 23:55 hours

For further details please contact Lesley Robertson, Enforcement Team Leader at lesley.robertson@environment-agency.gov.uk or 02030 258437

- The successful applicant will travel and work across our East Anglia Area as required.
- The role requires participation in an out-of-hours standby rota, with periods of unsociable working and incident response. The post holder is also expected to routinely work on either a Saturday or a Sunday, with a weekday rest-day.
- A good level of fitness is required to maintain an authorisation for this role, and annual training requires an appropriate medical.

Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.

• Is an active listener, has time for people; seeks their contribution.
• Uses full range of communication methods to ensure effective understanding.
• Considers needs of and impact on audience, anticipates reactions and uses appropriate communication method and style.
• Prepares written reports and data in clear, readable and accurate manner, using appropriate grammar, syntax and style.
• Ensures communication is two-way; responds and acts on feedback
• When presenting is easily understood and inspires attention from an audience.
• Is clear and to the point when speaking.
• Anticipates the main issues and prepares responses.

Uses intelligence to detect suspected illegal activities. Instigates and carries out enforcement action where illegal activities have been detected.

• Completes surveillance work.
• Recognises environmental offences.
• Resolves minor issues using appropriate means.
• Passes on relevant information on these for use in enforcement action.
• Gathers, uses, analyses and disseminates intelligence as appropriate to role.
• Carries out investigations, collects evidence and compiles case files.
• Participates in enforcement campaigns for offences.
• Liaises with other partners, stakeholders and agencies as appropriate.
• Plans, prepares and gives evidence in court.
• Carries out enforcement reviews and identifies and implements lessons learnt.

• Uses previous experience and careful analysis to identify potential problems, effective solutions and arrive at sound decisions.
• Identifies and asks appropriate questions to explore and detect root causes of problems or sources and quality of evidence.
• Applies sound techniques to analyse problems, generate options and select best course of action.
• Seeks out and considers the best available information before making decisions. Probes, checks and confirms veracity of data as appropriate.
• Confronts head-on difficult situations where major decisions have to be made quickly.
• Makes sound decisions based on complex or incomplete information and/or within limited timescales.
• Escalates issues when they are beyond own limitations and/or have consequences further than own responsibilities.

Driving licence required