32791 - Environmental Crime Officer
| Posting date: | 29 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £34,320 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 19 January 2026 |
| Location: | Colchester |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 5 days per week |
| Company: | Environment Agency |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 32791 |
Summary
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. To do this, you'll attend reports of illegal activities, collect evidence, interview suspects and prepare casefiles and/or develop actions to disrupt the illegal operations across East Anglia Area, and proactively establish good working relationships with colleagues and partners.
You may also be involved in surveillance activities and might be asked to assist colleagues across the Area and country, so some travel and overnight stays should be expected.
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.
It is our ambition to champion diversity through building a workforce as diverse as the communities we serve.
Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate. Please see the candidate pack for more on how you will support this
The team
You'll join a small and dedicated Area Enforcement Team, sitting within East Anglia Area Local Operations.
The team specialise 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
Experience/skills required
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.
You should demonstrate
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 are key, as are an ability to complete tasks accurately
Applied knowledge and experience of surveillance and intelligence practices is also desirable.
A full valid UK driving licence is required as the role involves travel.
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. To do this, you'll attend reports of illegal activities, collect evidence, interview suspects and prepare casefiles and/or develop actions to disrupt the illegal operations across East Anglia Area, and proactively establish good working relationships with colleagues and partners.
You may also be involved in surveillance activities and might be asked to assist colleagues across the Area and country, so some travel and overnight stays should be expected.
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.
It is our ambition to champion diversity through building a workforce as diverse as the communities we serve.
Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate. Please see the candidate pack for more on how you will support this
The team
You'll join a small and dedicated Area Enforcement Team, sitting within East Anglia Area Local Operations.
The team specialise 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
Experience/skills required
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.
You should demonstrate
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 are key, as are an ability to complete tasks accurately
Applied knowledge and experience of surveillance and intelligence practices is also desirable.
A full valid UK driving licence is required as the role involves travel.