Senior Environmental Crime Officer

**Senior Environmental Crime Officer**

**£41,617**

**Newcastle/Hybrid**

**Staff Grade: 5**

**Permanent, Full Time**

**About us**

The Environment Agency has a broad and varied remit regulating everything from waste management sites to farms and other land management activities across a range of urban and rural sites, all of which may impact on the local environment. We are constantly evolving the way we work. We have seen an increase in the volumes of investigations that can be complex, varied in nature, and often involve Organised Crime Groups, illegal waste exports and large-scale fraud and we are continually improving how we work to tackle this.

Our goal is to create a cleaner, safer and healthier environment, drive better performance and use our resources more effectively to protect our environment. And critically to prosecute those that stray beyond the law.

**The team**

Our National Investigations Team is part of our wider National Enforcement Service. We work investigating the most serious and complex environmental crimes occurring across the Country and sometimes far beyond. We work alongside our Major Incident Room (MIR), illegal Waste Exports Team, Investigation Managers and other Partner Organisations (financial investigations, intelligence and disruption etc.) to help ensure we obtain the maximum impact possible on those committing serious environmental crimes and ensure that offenders are brought to justice.

**What will you do**:
As a Senior Environmental Crime Officer, you’ll work alongside our Senior Investigation Managers and our Major Incident Room in leading and coordinating all aspects of our investigations from identifying lines of enquiry to analysing digital devices and producing related evidential packages, reviewing intelligence, allocating actions, coordinating evidence gathering and interviews of defendants, witnesses and professional contributors/experts. You’ll also assist in managing and mentoring a team of Environmental Crime Officers. This role provides an exciting opportunity for anyone with relevant investigative experience to take their skills and knowledge into the arena of serious environmental crime.

**What you’ll need**

**Essential**

Whilst this is a hybrid working role and you can base yourself from your nearest Environment Agency office, there will be the requirement for frequent travel across the country for meetings and operational duties. These may occasionally require overnight stays and there is also an expectation for regular attendance at our Major Incident Room in Birmingham. **You will need a full UK driving license and a minimum 5 years' experience working in investigations.**

You’ll be able to demonstrate experience of leading teams on complex major investigations, taking cases to Court as the Senior Investigating Officer and experience/knowledge in HOLMES or other major investigation case management systems. You’ll have some knowledge/experience of Environmental Crime and legislation surrounding it. You’ll have Higher level Detective training (e.g. PIP interviewer qualified, digital media trained (possibly a long-standing Detective Constable or Sargeant level within Police).

In addition, we would also like you have:

- Experience of identifying lines of enquiry and the raising and managing of actions
- Managing Exhibits and Statements and maintaining continuity standards.
- Experience of coordinating & leading on searches and evidencing (sometimes in challenging circumstances)
- Strong interviewing skills and sound Disclosure knowledge
- Experience of working in collaboration with Partner Organisations (such as Councils, HMRC, Border Force, Police)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills

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. This may attract additional payment and full training, and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role. As well as on-going training, you will also be supported with appropriate equipment and clothing to ensure you remain safe.

The most important thing we are looking for is a passion for environmental improvement and resilience to succeed.

**What’s in it for you**:
You’ll benefit from a culture that embraces difference and is inclusive where you’ll feel supported and trusted to do the right thing. We’ll invest in you and allow you to grow and shape your career. What’s more, you’ll have access to our great benefits package including:

- A salary up to £41,617
- A generous pension scheme.
- Overtime opportunities through standby and incident pay.
- 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays for full-time employees.
- Two additional days for paid environmental outcomes giving you the opportunity to take part in community activities.
- Great career opportunities.
- Maternity, paternity, and adoption leave