Environment Officer - Waste Regulation - Preston

About this role

Salary - £27,749 leading to £33,000 after approximately 18 months

Staff Grade - EOA

Locations - Preston, PR5 8BX and covering Cumbria

Post Type / Working Pattern - Permanent, Full Time

Interview Dates - w/c 15 September 2025
  

 

About Us:

The Environment Agency works to create better places for people and wildlife, and supports sustainable development.

Being an Environment Officer is one of the most important roles at the Environment Agency. The waste industry is an essential part of our residential, commercial and industrial infrastructure that is worth £25 billion, employs almost 150,000 people and manages an estimated 75 million tonnes of waste a year.  

Why Choose Us:    

• Make a Significant Impact: At the EA (Environment Agency) your work has the power to create a lasting impact. Your contributions directly protect and enhance the environment, ensuring a brighter future for all.
• Dynamic and Rewarding: Join a team that thrives on tackling national challenges head-on. At the EA, you'll be part of a dynamic and collaborative environment, working alongside passionate professionals who share your commitment to making a difference.
• Focus on Results: Our work goes beyond rhetoric, as we deliver tangible results. From successfully implementing industry regulations to restoring polluted water bodies, the EA has a track record of achieving meaningful outcomes that positively impact both people and the planet.
• Continuous Growth: Your professional development matters to us. We provide a range of opportunities for growth, including tailored training programs, mentorship initiatives, and access to cutting-edge technologies. At the EA, you'll continuously grow your skills and expertise, staying at the forefront of environmental innovation.
• Join a Values-Driven Organisation: Ethical and values-driven, the EA upholds integrity, transparency, and environmental stewardship. By joining us, you align yourself with an organisation that holds itself accountable and genuinely cares about creating a sustainable and resilient future.
• Collaborative Community: At the EA, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. You'll work with diverse teams, bringing together experts from various fields to tackle complex environmental challenges. Together, we foster a supportive and inclusive community that encourages collaboration, creativity, and knowledge exchange.

What will you do:

Based in one of our area offices as an Environment Officer - Waste, you will be responsible for regulating a range of waste management companies related to their permitted activities. You will be expected to regulate a wide variety of waste industry sectors and business models from small individual operators to large corporate bodies, who use a wide variety of chemical, biological and physical treatment processes in their waste management activities ensuring they are carried out without polluting the environment or causing harm to people. The sectors we regulate include landfill, biowaste, textiles, food & drink and metals.

You will also be responsible for:    

• Tackling illegal waste activities to protect legitimate businesses and prevent environmental harm.
• Working with external partners, including local authorities, police, fire and rescue services, and the public.
• Understanding business financial incentives and helping industries adopt sustainable practices.
• Engaging with local businesses and communities, using strong customer service skills.
• Enforcing regulations and taking action against breaches. This can lead to potentially confrontational situations and, for the most serious offences, may require giving evidence in court.
• Responding to environmental incidents, sometimes out of hours (with potential additional payment).

You will also:    

• Work collaboratively within a team, receiving backup from colleagues and incident support staff
• Using your excellent customer service skills to engage with local business, communities, and operators
• Enforce environmental regulations and ensure waste management companies improve their performance
• Travel frequently and sometimes unexpectedly to various sites to conduct inspections and take action if environmental regulations have been breached 

The waste industry faces challenges to constantly strive to minimise and reduce waste, recycle and prevent waste going to disposal routes which have higher environmental impact. This makes the waste industry one of the most interesting, varied and innovative sectors to work with. Learning how the industry works, how to follow the financial incentives for business, and future proof industry is an extremely interesting and rewarding part of the role that will equip you as a regulator to engage positively with industry partners.

Training & Development

You'll enter the role on a EOA grade and follow a structured development programme to reach EOB grade. This is expected to take up to 18 months and is awarded after demonstrating the required capabilities. In the initial months, some of the training is residential, around 3-5 days at a time for at least 3 weeks. (Travel and overnight stays are required to allow you to complete this training).

Training includes:    

• Residential and e-learning courses.
• Fieldwork shadowing experienced officers.
• Health and safety training.
• Learning to use EA systems.
• Receiving initial authorisation, followed by a warrant for regulatory powers.

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 could include working out of normal working hours eg at night or weekends. This may attract an additional payment and full training will be available to support you with your incident role. 

What Do You Need?

Essential:    

• Full UK Driving License.
  (Please note, should you be invited to interview we will contact you to conduct a DVLA driving licence check. More information on this process will be provided to you should you reach this stage of the recruitment process).
• GCSE Grade A-C or equivalent in science-related subject or have equivalent work experience
• Experience of working with customers.

Ideally you will have previous regulatory experience and/or scientific background, but if this is your first role or a career change, we would expect you to draw upon previous scientific knowledge while going through relevant training. The most important thing we are looking for is a passion for the 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 £27,749 leading at Induction Stage, rising to £33,000 after completion of approx. 18-months training.
• 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 scheme.

Options for flexible and / or part-time working may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

As an organisation we strive to reflect the communities we serve. To achieve this, we welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of race, sexual orientation, and religion. If you have any questions regarding the vacancy or application process, please contact the recruitment team at earecruitment@peoplescout.co.uk. 

If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you. Click apply and start your application today!

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the UK's biggest environmental organisation. Join us, and together, let's tackle the challenges of a changing climate and build a more sustainable future. Apply now and embark on a rewarding and fulfilling career journey with the Environment Agency.

Interview Date: Week commencing 15 September 2025

Closing Date: Monday 8 September 2025

Please note: Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and drawn directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism is identified – including presenting ideas or experiences generated by AI 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.