Environmental Crime Officer - 33413

Environmental Crime Officer - 33413
3
London, South East
Welwyn Garden City
DEFRA GRP EA ALCHEMY, AL7 1HE
Staff Grade 4
Permanent
Operational Delivery
Full Time, Part Time
£34,320

26/02/2026, 23:55 hours

ER04 Job Family Role Profile Environment & Regulation, Grade 4

Basic Check

The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve.   

This is an exciting opportunity to join a front-line operational area team in the fight to tackle environmental crime. In this Environmental Crime Officer (ECO) role, you will focus on investigating and disrupting waste crime but will also support colleagues in taking enforcement action in response to other environmental offences. You will work with subject matter specialists and partner agencies to achieve this.  

This is an interesting and varied role. You will be working with others, gathering intelligence and evidence and preparing case files for court. You may be working with an operator of an illegal waste site, bringing them into compliance one day, and disrupting an Organised Crime Group operating in the waste sector the next day. You will be involved in challenging conversations with sometimes confrontational individuals, requiring you to adapt your communication style.  

Waste crime is borderless, so those in our operational roles need to be agile. Occasional pre planned travel should be expected and overnight stays may be required. You will need to regularly attend offices to co-locate with your team, attend meetings, maintain the visibility across your area and develop investigations.  

At the Environment Agency we don’t just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities and our environment. Everyone starting in a new role will be welcomed into the team and given all the training and support needed. As part of your induction, you will be provided with all the equipment required for your role. 

The role is based in Welwyn Garden City, covering London north of the Thames and Hertfordshire. 

The Area Enforcement Teams (AETs) are comprised of a minimum of a Team Leader, Senior Enforcement Officer, Senior Environmental Crime Officer and Environmental Crime Officers. 

 We work with Intelligence Officers, Waste Crime Triage Officers, Waste Crime Engagement Specialists, Waste Regulation/Installation Officers for permitted sites and national enforcement teams.

We work with other enforcement agencies including police forces and councils

Your background will be in environmental regulation, intelligence-led enforcement or investigation. Experience of working in collaboration with partner organisations such as the police, councils or other government agencies is highly relevant to the role.   

You will have experience of using intelligence products to identify potential lines of enquiry & find disruption opportunities. 

Essential: 

  • A full UK drivers license is required. 
  • The role is dependent on obtaining Non-Police Personnel Vetting Level 2 (NPPV2). 

Desirable: 

  • Understanding and experience of working within an intelligence led environment, communicating with legal professionals, colleagues and partner enforcement agencies. 
  • Good knowledge of the legislation which governs criminal investigations, such as the Environmental Permitting Regulations, the Environmental Protection Act, the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, the Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act. 

This is a hybrid role. You will be required to work in the field, from our office in Welwyn Garden City as well as being able to work from home. 

Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. Full training and workplace adjustments will be available to support you with your incident role. 

Face to face interviews will be held March 2026.

Interested candidates can contact to discuss more about the role by contacting   
Carrie-Ann Sharpe - Carrie-Ann.Sharpe@environment-agency.gov.uk.

We do not assess CVs, your answers to the competency questions will be used for interview selection

Achieves Results
Description: Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.

Question: Please provide an example of a piece of work you have led on, which involved working with others, where you overcame challenges to achieve an outcome.
Influences and Persuades Others
Description: Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will inspire people to actively engage, contribute and follow plans.

Question: Please provide an example of a time you have positively influenced others to work together to achieve an aim or objective.
Illegal Activity Detection and Enforcement
Description: Uses intelligence to detect suspected illegal activities. Instigates and carries out enforcement action where illegal activities have been detected.

Question: Please tell us about an investigation or enforcement activity that you have been part of that you are particularly proud of.
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.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.