Investigations and Casefile officer (Grade G5)

Various locations-Leeds, Rotherham, York, Beverley, Darlington or Newcastle/Warrington, Preston or Penrith/Lincoln, Kettering, Brampton (Huntingdon), Ely, Norwich, Ipswich or Kelvedon (Colchester)/Welwyn Garden City/Wallingford, Farnham or Reading/London Abbey Wood(+£2,117 PA outer London weighting for this location only) / Exeter, Bodmin, Blandford Forum, Chippenham or Bridgwater/Romsey, Chichester, Worthing, Pevensey, Canterbury, Addington or Tonbridge.

About us 

Are you ready to take on a role that makes a real difference? Join the Environment Agency’s new water industry regulation teams and help lead the fight against growing and increasingly complex environmental crime.

We continue to change the way we regulate water companies. Our regulation teams work to hold underperforming operators to account and ensure compliance with environmental law. While we recognise their crucial role in managing the water cycle - collecting, treating and returning water to the environment - it’s essential they do so without causing environmental harm.  

Our work includes preventing pollution, the regulation of sewage treatment works, storm overflows and ensuring compliance across the sewerage network. With increased scrutiny of sewage pollution and its effects, we’re more determined than ever to raise standards, strengthen regulation and protect the environment. We’re driving improved performance, accountability, and better use of our resources to create lasting environmental outcomes.  

We’re recruiting now because the work is urgent and growing - this is a pivotal moment to join the Environment Agency, as we’re actively involved in shaping the future of water regulation in England.

What’s in it for you? 

You’ll be part of a supportive organisation that values difference and promotes inclusivity, as well as having the flexibility and trust to make a meaningful impact.  

We also offer:

• A salary of £41,617 per annum
• A generous pension scheme (currently 19% of pensionable pay) 
• 27 days annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays
• Standby and incident response payments
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Two paid environmental outcome days each year to volunteer in your community 
• Extensive training and career development
• Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave  

Part-time working will be considered on a case-by-case basis.   

Why choose us? 

Make a meaningful impact: At the Environment Agency, your work has a real and lasting effect on the quality of our environment. Regulating the water industry is a key priority. By promoting responsible water use and protecting vital ecosystems, your role helps preserve the natural world for future generations.

Dynamic and rewarding work: Join a proactive, passionate team tackling environmental challenges on a national scale. You’ll collaborate with like-minded professionals in a supportive and forward-thinking environment, where your input truly makes a difference.

Focus on results: Our work delivers real-world change. Whether it’s enforcing regulations or restoring damaged water environments, we take action that benefits both people and nature.

Continuous development: We’re committed to developing your skills and knowledge. With tailored training, mentoring and access to the latest tools and technologies, you’ll be supported in developing your skills and progressing your career in environmental regulation.

Values-driven organisation: Integrity, transparency, and environmental responsibility guide everything we do. You’ll be part of an organisation that’s genuinely committed to building a more sustainable and resilient future. 

What will you do? 

We’re looking for a confident professional with experience in criminal investigations, case management and disclosure processes. You’ll support our existing regulation and enforcement officers by coordinating casefiles, ensuring timely, effective investigations and  that appropriate civil or criminal sanctions are completed in response to offences by the water industry.

As part of our new dedicated enforcement teams, you’ll be supporting officers who investigate alleged offences across water companies and contribute to transforming how we regulate. It’s a new role for the Environment Agency and we believe it will be an integral part of ensuring we deliver the new civil penalties under The Water Special Measures Act.

You’ll also have the chance to develop your skills and share your knowledge through helping train, coach, and mentor less experienced officers, when required.

In this role you will:

• Work closely with officers to ensure investigations progress in a timely and outcome-focused manner, in line with our enforcement and compliance policies.
• A particular focus on moderate to significant investigations, where penalties may include civil or criminal sanctions, including any new enforcement tools introduced for the water industry.
• Gather information and evidence from compliance and enforcement teams, preparing the casefiles and disclosure schedules, acting as a Disclosure Officer where necessary.
• Ensure all evidence and documentation is managed in line with best practice and complies with the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996, along with other relevant legislation and guidance.
• Support Water Industry Senior Environmental Crime Officers on our most serious offences, as required.
• Provide advice on witness management, manage third-party material, and liaise with legal teams where needed.
• Attend court and give evidence as required.
• Liaise with Team Leaders, investigators, and colleagues across intelligence and evidence functions to maintain the integrity of original material throughout the investigation and court process.
• Ensure investigation records are updated in our enforcement IT systems and ensure timely reporting to the Water Industry Senior Enforcement Officer, who provides governance and assurance for enforcement work.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with regulatory teams and stakeholders across a broad geographic region.

You'll be recruited into a specific area with a designated office base, but flexibility is important - you may be required to work with teams in other locations or adapt to changing priorities across different areas.

 What do you need? 

Essential

• Proven experience working in a team handling multiple criminal investigations.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to collate, record, and present documents and evidence for criminal or civil sanctions.
• Good knowledge of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 and associated Codes of Practice, the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and an understanding of current Criminal Procedure Rules.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Confident in using IT systems, particularly for case management.
• The ability to manage a demanding and complex workload with minimal supervision, prioritising tasks based on threat, risk, and harm.

A full UK driving licence is essential, as the role may involve travel across a wide geographic area.

Desirable

• Knowledge of relevant environmental legislation, including civil sanctions or criminal court procedures.
• Familiarity with Environment Agency enforcement and prosecution policies.
• Confident in using IT systems, particularly for intelligence
• An understanding of environmental regulation within the water industry or other similar sectors.

Additional information 

The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. 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 joining a new role will receive a warm welcome and full support, including the equipment, training and guidance needed to thrive.  

You will be required to take on an incident role to help us respond effectively to incidents or support 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 find the best fit.  

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. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Please note that providing false or misleading information at any stage of the application or recruitment process may result in withdrawal of your application, or where applicable, disciplinary action in line with internal processes

We will maintain a reserve list for 12 months and may offer similar roles at other locations linked to this position.

To apply click here

 If you have questions about the role or application process, please contact our recruitment team click here   

  Please note: Candidates selected for interview will be notified by email at least five days in advance. Please check both your inbox and junk mail folders to ensure you don’t miss our message.