Environmental Crime Officer

A full valid UK driving licence is required as the role involves travel.

We are seeking three highly motivated individuals to work as Environmental Crime Officers (ECOs) in one of our Area Enforcement Teams. As an ECO, you will work to tackle a range of environmental crime, focusing primarily on high‑risk illegal waste sites and serious and significant waste crime. Using a variety of enforcement and disruption tactics you will seek to identify and stop these criminal activities to protect the environment and safeguard legitimate industry.

Responsibilities include attending reports of illegal activities, collecting evidence, interviewing suspects, preparing case files and/or developing actions to disrupt illegal operations across the East Anglia Area, and proactively establishing good working relationships with colleagues and partners.

Some travel and overnight stays should be expected, as you may also be involved in surveillance activities and might be asked to assist colleagues across the Area and country.

Successful candidates will require Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance before starting in post and MUST achieve Non‑Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) level 2 (full) clearance after starting in post.

We want to create a diverse workplace where people are respected, valued and listened to. We’re all different, and by embracing Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) we can become an equal opportunity employer where jointly we all grow and learn together.

Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate. Please see the candidate pack for more on how you will support this.

You’ll join a small and dedicated Area Enforcement Team, sitting within East Anglia Area Local Operations. The team specialises in dealing with serious and significant complex environmental crime, principally investigating waste crime but also conducting investigations into other environmental offending when required. To achieve our aims, we work closely with our regulatory teams across the Area and with enforcement and intelligence colleagues in other Areas and nationally.

We also routinely work with external enforcement bodies.

• Extensive experience in an investigatory or regulatory role, with significant experience in evidence collection / handling / application of enforcement sanctions and production of case files for court.
• Good understanding of the relevant environmental legislation (including the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016, Environment Act 1995 & Environmental Protection 1990) and thorough knowledge and experience working under the legislation governing criminal investigations.
• A proven track record of leading investigations and achieving results.
• An ability to work alone or with others, showing self‑reliance whilst being a good team player.
• Confidence dealing with hostile situations.
• An ability to proactively manage your own health and safety and that of others, as well as an ability to complete tasks accurately.
• Applied knowledge and experience of surveillance and intelligence practices is also desirable.

We offer a benefits package including flexible working, 25 days annual leave and an award‑winning pension fund.

Roles are office‑based at Iceni House, Ipswich or Rivers House, Kelvedon. You will be expected to travel between offices and attend reports of illegal activities across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.

We anticipate holding in‑person scenario‑based interviews with a date suggested for 23rd February 2026 (subject to change). Interviews will be held in Ipswich.

Recruiting Manager Lesley Robertson – lesley.roberts

NOTE:

This role does NOT qualify for skilled worker sponsorship.