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 - [email protected].

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