Environmental Crime Officer (Water Industry) - Environment Agency

Environmental Crime Officer (Water Industry)

Reference: 34297

Salary Minimum: £34,320

Post Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full Time, Part Time/Job Share

Location: Farnham, London, Wallingford, Welwyn Garden City

Number of jobs available: 3

Are you ready to make a real difference? Join our new water industry enforcement team and take the lead in addressing serious and complex environmental issues within the water industry.

Bringing your enthusiasm and experience in regulation, enforcement or investigative work, you’ll play a pivotal role in driving positive change. Guided by a Senior Environmental Crime Officer, you’ll undertake investigations, gather and critically analyse evidence, and deliver impactful enforcement actions. Your contributions will include preparing detailed, high-quality case files that empower the Environment Agency to take decisive action against underperforming sites.

What will you do?

• Investigate environmental offences, including supporting site inspections and gathering evidence.
• Analyse data and materials from site inspections to identify potential offences.
• Write and collect witness statements.
• Exhibit evidence and conduct interviews under caution with suspected offenders.
• Take clear ownership of cases and progress them from referral through to outcome, including identifying appropriate governance, escalation, or enforcement routes.
• Adapt proactively to changing business needs, priorities, and emerging risks, reprioritising work to support team and organisational objectives.
• Prepare case files and disclosure schedules in line with the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act and the Police and Criminal Evidence Act Code of Practice.
• Use digital case management and evidence systems confidently to accurately record case progression, decisions taken, and evidential rationale.
• Collaborate effectively across multiple teams to support prioritisation, resource allocation, and delivery within shared workloads.
• Provide evidence in court when required.
• Liaise with other agencies and local authorities.
• Complete relevant training in water industry regulation and be able to identify offences and impacts accurately.

This role requires travel and occasional overnight stays, so a full UK driving licence is required. You can choose to be based from any of the following offices: Farnham, Wallingford, London Abbey Wood or Welwyn Garden City.

The Team

The Water Industry Enforcement team is dedicated to addressing serious and complex performance issues within the water industry, driving improvements in compliance and environmental standards.

Based in our South East enforcement hub, facing Thames Water, your team will work closely with one or more water companies to achieve these goals. You will mostly be office based with occasional travel to deliver work on investigations and enforcement across your hub.

Experience/Skills Required

To succeed in this role, you should be able to demonstrate a methodical approach with a keen eye for detail, confidence in both verbal and written communication, resilience, flexibility, and professionalism whilst dealing with challenging situations or individuals. You will be able to complete tasks accurately and with minimum supervision, either working individually or as part of a team.

Essential

• Experience in an investigatory or regulatory role, with knowledge of evidence collection and production of case files.
• Experience of working with customers.

Desirable

• An understanding of environmental legislation including the Environmental Permitting Regulations and Environment Act.
• Working knowledge of investigative legislation, for example the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act.
• Knowledge of corporate investigations.
• Experience of proactively establishing good working relationships with colleagues and/or external partners.

Contact and Additional Information

We’d love to inspire you to apply. If you have any questions, please contact regulationresourcing@environment-agency.gov.uk

Interviews are expected to take place during the fortnight commencing 1st June.

You’ll be required to undertake an incident role to support effective incident response or 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 identify the most suitable option.

A reserve list will be held for six months and may be used to offer similar roles, including fixed-term opportunities.

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.

Closing date: 18 May 2026, 23:55 hours.