Job Details

Environmental Crime Officer

Department: Residents Services – Anti-Social Behaviour Team
Reports to: ASB Response Team Leader
DBS Check: Standard

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Environmental Crime Officer to investigate environmental offences, enforce relevant legislation and tackle anti-social behaviour across the borough.

You will respond to complaints from residents and businesses, investigate environmental crime and take appropriate enforcement action to help maintain clean, safe and pleasant neighbourhoods.

The successful candidate will have practical experience in environmental enforcement, particularly fly-tipping, waste offences, abandoned vehicles and environmental nuisance. You will be confident gathering evidence, preparing case files, issuing Fixed Penalty Notices and supporting legal proceedings where necessary.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate environmental offences, including fly-tipping, illegal waste disposal, abandoned vehicles, commercial waste breaches and environmental nuisance.
• Respond to complaints and service requests from residents, businesses and elected members, ensuring cases are handled within agreed timescales.
• Conduct site visits and inspections across the borough to identify offences and ensure compliance with relevant legislation.
• Gather evidence, take witness statements, maintain investigation records and prepare case files for enforcement action and prosecution.
• Prepare and issue Fixed Penalty Notices and other appropriate enforcement notices in accordance with council procedures.
• Work with council legal teams, the police, waste services, highways and other partner agencies to investigate offences and resolve ongoing issues.
• Prepare detailed reports, respond to complaints and enquiries, and provide evidence for court proceedings, including attending Magistrates’ Court as a witness when required.
• Engage with businesses to explain and enforce commercial waste regulations and promote compliance.
• Identify anti-social behaviour concerns, follow safeguarding procedures where necessary and refer cases to specialist services where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate records and case management systems, ensuring investigations meet service standards and performance targets.

Essential Requirements

• Relevant professional qualification or significant equivalent experience in environmental enforcement, law, housing, environmental services or a related field.
• Proven experience investigating and enforcing environmental offences within a local authority or similar enforcement environment.
• Practical experience dealing with fly-tipping, waste offences, commercial waste compliance and environmental crime.
• Experience gathering evidence, preparing case files, taking witness statements and supporting formal enforcement action.
• Experience preparing or issuing Fixed Penalty Notices and applying relevant enforcement powers.
• Working knowledge of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, PACE 1984 and relevant waste legislation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear investigation reports and professional correspondence.
• Good IT skills and the ability to manage multiple cases, prioritise workloads and meet deadlines.
• A current UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work-related travel.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends when required.

Desirable Experience

• Experience attending court or acting as a witness in enforcement proceedings.
• Experience working with police, council departments and other partner agencies.
• Experience dealing with councillors, residents’ groups and complex public complaints.
• Knowledge of Public Spaces Protection Orders and wider anti-social behaviour enforcement.

About You

You will be a confident and proactive enforcement professional with strong investigative skills and a practical understanding of environmental legislation. You will be able to manage cases independently, communicate effectively with members of the public and businesses, and take proportionate enforcement action to achieve positive outcomes for the community.