Environmental Crime Officers

Locations: Nottingham, Fradley, Kidderminster, Shrewsbury, Tewkesbury Norwich, Ipswich, London SE2 Abbey Wood, Romsey. Permanent, Full-time

About us

Are you ready to take on a role that makes a real difference? Join the Environment Agency’s new water industry regulation teams and help lead the fight against growing and increasingly complex environmental crime.

We continue to change the way we regulate water companies. Our regulation teams work to hold underperforming operators to account and ensure compliance with environmental law. While we recognise their crucial role in managing the water cycle - collecting, treating and returning water to the environment - it’s essential they do so without causing environmental harm.

Our work includes preventing pollution, the regulation of sewage treatment works, storm overflows and ensuring compliance across the sewerage network. With increased scrutiny of sewage pollution and its effects, we’re more determined than ever to raise standards, strengthen regulation and protect the environment. We’re driving improved performance, accountability, and better use of our resources to create lasting environmental outcomes.

We’re recruiting now because the work is urgent and growing - this is a pivotal moment to join the Environment Agency, as we’re actively involved in shaping the future of water regulation in England.

What’s in it for you?

You’ll be part of a supportive organisation that values difference and promotes inclusivity, as well as having the flexibility and trust to make a meaningful impact.

We also offer:

• A salary of £34,320 per annum (+£2,186 outer London weighting for London based role).
• A generous pension scheme (currently 19% of pensionable pay).
• 25 days of annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays.
• Standby and incident response payments.
• Flexible working options.
• Two paid environmental outcome days each year to volunteer in your community.
• Extensive training and career development.
• Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave.

Part-time working will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Why choose us?

Make a meaningful impact: At the Environment Agency, your work has a real and lasting effect on the quality of our environment. Regulating the water industry is a key priority. By promoting responsible water use and protecting vital ecosystems, your role helps preserve the natural world for future generations.

Dynamic and rewarding work: Join a proactive, passionate team tackling environmental challenges on a national scale. You’ll collaborate with like-minded professionals in a supportive and forward-thinking environment, where your input truly makes a difference.

Focus on results: Our work delivers real-world change. Whether it’s enforcing regulations or restoring damaged water environments, we take action that benefits both people and nature.

Continuous development: We’re committed to developing your skills and knowledge. With tailored training, mentoring and access to the latest tools and technologies, you’ll be supported in developing your skills and progressing your career in environmental regulation.
 
Values-driven organisation: Integrity, transparency, and environmental responsibility guide everything we do. You’ll be part of an organisation that’s genuinely committed to building a more sustainable and resilient future.

What will you do?

As an Environmental Crime Officer, you will bring your passion for enforcement and experience in investigations or regulation to a role that directly improves environmental outcomes.

Working under the guidance of a Senior Environmental Crime Officer, you’ll gather and analyse evidence, build strong case files, and support high-profile enforcement activity. You’ll be part of a committed team helping to raise standards and drive long-term improvements across the water industry.

In this role, you’ll support the delivery of effective enforcement action against non-compliant water companies. You’ll focus on serious and complex breaches, often working with external partners and internal colleagues to secure positive environmental outcomes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting site inspections and investigations to identify environmental offences.
• Gathering and analysing evidence, including data and materials from inspections.
• Writing witness statements and conducting interviews under caution with suspects.
• Exhibiting evidence and preparing high-quality case files in line with legal requirements.
• Completing training in water industry regulation and relevant enforcement procedures.
• Liaising with other enforcement agencies and local authorities.
• Giving evidence in court where necessary.

You’ll be based primarily in an office, with travel across your regional hub to support active investigations and enforcement activity. Travel and occasional overnight stays are part of this role, so a full UK driving licence is essential.

You'll be recruited into a specific area with a designated office base, but flexibility is important - you may be required to work with teams in other locations or adapt to changing priorities across different areas.

What do you need?

To succeed in this role, you’ll need to be methodical, observant, and confident in dealing with challenging situations. You’ll demonstrate resilience, strong communication skills and an ability to work independently or as part of a team.

Essential:

• Experience in an investigatory or regulatory role, including evidence collection and case file preparation.
• Experience working with customers or external stakeholders.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable:

• Understanding of environmental legislation, particularly the Environmental Permitting Regulations and Environment Act.
• Knowledge of investigative legislation such as the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act.
• Experience of corporate investigations.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with internal teams and external partners.

Additional information

The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. 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 joining a new role will receive a warm welcome and full support, including the equipment, training and guidance needed to thrive.

You will be required to take on an incident role to help us respond effectively to incidents or support business continuity. These roles may attract additional pay, with full training and flexible working arrangements provided. We offer a range of incident roles and will work with you to find the best fit.

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. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

We will maintain a reserve list for 12 months and may offer similar roles at other locations linked to this position.

Please note that providing false or misleading information at any stage of the application or recruitment process may result in withdrawal of your application, or where applicable, disciplinary action in line with internal processes.

Please note: Candidates selected for interview will be notified by email at least five days in advance. Please check both your inbox and junk mail folders to ensure you don’t miss our message.

Advert close: Monday 6th October 2025.
Interviews to be held: w/c Monday 27th October 2025.