Investigation and Disruption Team - Investigation Support Officer (Reg Officer 1) - 31623

Investigation and Disruption Team - Investigation Support Officer (Reg Officer 1) - 31623
4
National
All, Various
Staff Grade 4
Permanent
Operational Delivery
Full Time, Part Time, Other
£33,000

14/09/2025, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
Join an Organisation That Values Inclusion and Difference
Looking for a workplace that embraces diversity and inclusion? The Environment Agency is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes flexible working, including job shares.

The Investigation Support Officer role sits within the Investigation and Disruption Team in the Environmental Markets & Regulation (EM&R) department—a national team with officers across England.

Our department ensures companies manage waste responsibly by enforcing the “right waste, right place” principle. You’ll support compliance and enforcement efforts, contributing to England’s circular economy.

Learn more about our wider team: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ7fCgRW5SM

As an Investigation Support Officer, you will:
• Obtain witness statements and help plan and conduct interviews under caution (PACE 1984).
• Support complex or hostile interviews and compile case files for legal teams.
• Analyse complex data to inform regulatory decisions.
• Handle sensitive information in line with data protection laws.
• Maintain exhibit integrity and assist with material disclosure.
• Conduct audits and enforcement work, both in the field and remotely.

The team employ a suite of tactics, including exercising of regulatory enforcement responses, prosecutions, and innovative prevention and disruption techniques to deter against criminal behaviour.

You will need to be comfortable with working in a dispersed team. The Environment Agency utilise a hybrid working approach, including office and home working. Regular travel for enforcement activities and travelling for training in (York, Sheffield, Birmingham and Bristol) is expected

Incident response is a key part of the role. You’ll be trained and supported to take on an incident role, which may include additional pay.
EM&R is a supportive and inclusive department that encourages our teams’ health, safety, wellbeing, and development. We aim to improve the quality of recycling and ensure waste entering and leaving the country is handled appropriately for recycling and recovery. We help to protect and improve the environment by regulating industry, ensuring compliance, and eliminating illegal activities.

Key areas we regulate are Packaging Waste, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Batteries and International Waste Shipments.
You will ideally have experience in an investigatory or regulatory role and demonstrate:

•A good understanding of intelligence, how to interpret and use it appropriately.
•Sound knowledge of Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (1996) & Police & Criminal Evidence Act (1984 )is desirable.
•A confident communicator who can convey information and ideas clearly
•Experience of obtaining witness statements, disclosure, handling exhibits, and knowledge of Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (2000) is desirable.
•Excellent influencing skills and success in developing good relations in complex environments.
•Great team work to support colleagues achieve common goals
•Experience of producing accurate reports; collation, analysis and interpretation of data using Microsoft Office.
•Ability to manage multiple demands on time in a prioritised manner to achieve outcomes and deliver against plans.

A full UK Driving License is a requirement for this role.
We offer an attractive and competitive benefits package including:

A fantastic pension scheme, competitive salary, flexible working and a starting annual leave allowance of 25 days plus bank holidays (pro rata).

Interviews for the investigation support officer role are expected to take place face to face in October. Successful candidates will need to complete Security Check (SC) vetting before being appointed. .

We may use the outcomes from this recruitment for future vacancies within the next 6 months.

For an informal discussion please contact Jonathon.wilkinson@environment-agency.gov.uk or Phil.Rolfe@environment-agency.gov.uk
Illegal Activity Detection and Enforcement
Uses intelligence to detect suspected illegal activities. Instigates and carries out enforcement action where illegal activities have been detected.

Tell us about an occasion when you have used intelligence to detect illegal activity.
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.

Tell us about an occasion when you delivered an optimal solution by effectively analysing different sources of information.
Uses Initiative
Takes action before and/or beyond what is required, owning the outcome.

Tell me about an occasion when you have taken action over and above what is required to ensure that a task is performed efficiently and effectively
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.