Enforcement Officer - Environmental Crime

Closing date: 15 June 2026

Salary: Grade 11 ranging from £32,597 to £36,363 per annum

As an Enforcement Officer – Environmental Crime, you’ll be at the forefront of protecting Somerset’s environment and communities, tackling issues that truly matter to local people every day. From leading complex investigations to delivering decisive enforcement action, your work will have a visible and lasting impact on the places where people live, work, and enjoy. This is a role where your expertise, judgement, and determination will be trusted and valued. At Somerset Council, you’ll join a supportive and ambitious organisation that is committed to safeguarding its natural environment, working collaboratively with partners, and empowering its people to make a genuine difference, giving you the opportunity to shape safer, cleaner, and more resilient communities.

Role Summary

This role plays a key part in delivering effective environmental crime enforcement across Somerset, leading investigations into serious offences and ensuring the right balance of enforcement and prevention. Using your professional judgement and expertise, you’ll take action that protects the environment, safeguards public health, and enhances the quality of local communities. By applying legislation confidently and fairly, you’ll help reduce environmental harm, support safer neighbourhoods, and strengthen public trust in the Council’s commitment to tackling environmental crime.

What you'll do - Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring compliance with Public Space Protection Orders, will have detailed practical knowledge of investigating and taking legal action against perpetrators of environmental crime, understand the effective application of related legislation, conduct investigations, and take appropriate enforcement actions, including but not limited to:

• Exercise delegated authority to make independent decisions on enforcement action, including issuing Notices, Fixed Penalty Notices and progressing prosecutions.
• Conduct interviews under caution and gather evidence in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE), ensuring evidential sufficiency and public interest tests are met.
• Inspect premises, vehicles, and land to determine compliance with environmental legislation.
• Dealing with unauthorised encampments on council managed land.
• Investigate PSPO dog control complaints
• Investigate and deal effectively with waste deposit contraventions and abandoned vehicles.
• Represent the Council as a professional witness and enforcement lead at court, tribunals, appeals, and other formal proceedings.
• Prepare and present reports to committees, stakeholders, and external partners.
• Support and mentor less experienced officers, contributing to continuous improvement and service resilience.

The successful candidate will be suitably qualified and experienced with evidence of having continued to develop their skills and qualifications.

What We’re Looking For – Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Essential

• Working knowledge of environmental crime and enforcement legislation, including waste offences, fly-tipping, abandoned vehicles, unauthorised encampments, and Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs).
• Understanding of court and tribunal procedures, including preparation of prosecution files, witness statements and giving evidence.
• Strong understanding of criminal and civil enforcement processes, including the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) and evidential standards required for prosecution and contested cases.
• Knowledge of the Council’s Enforcement Policy, principles of proportionality, consistency, and public interest decision-making.
• Awareness of the wider public protection and regulatory context, including the impact of environmental crime on communities, public health, and local amenity.
• Knowledge of data protection, information governance, equality, and safeguarding requirements as they apply to enforcement activity.
• Significant experience of environmental enforcement, regulatory compliance, or investigative work within a local authority or comparable enforcement body.
• Proven experience of leading and managing complex or high-risk enforcement cases, including determining appropriate outcomes and remedies.
• Experience of making independent enforcement decisions using professional judgement within delegated authority.
• Experience of representing an organisation in formal settings, such as court, tribunals, appeals, or public inquiries.
• Demonstrable experience of working with partners (e.g. Legal Services, Police, Environment Agency, landowners, contractors) to resolve enforcement matters.
• Evidence of continuing development of professional skills, e.g. through training, qualification, and/or experience.
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgement and autonomy in complex, sensitive, or contentious enforcement situations.
• Strong investigative and analytical skills, with the ability to assess evidence, risk, and public interest considerations.
• Ability to interpret and apply legislation, policy, and guidance accurately and proportionately.
• Ability to provide professional advice and guidance to colleagues, elected members, businesses, and members of the public.
• Strong case management and organisational skills, including prioritisation of a varied and demanding caseload.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, well-reasoned reports, witness statements, and legal documentation
• Confident verbal communication and negotiation skills, including the ability to deal effectively with conflict
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Competent use of IT systems, including case management and evidence recording systems.

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of Health & Safety legislation and requirements within the organisation.
• Experience of working with elected members, or in a political environment.
• Experience of mentoring, supporting, or guiding less experienced officers.
• Experience of contributing to the development or review of enforcement policies, procedures, or operational guidance.
• Experience of dealing with high-profile, sensitive, or reputationally significant cases.
• The Private Water Sampler Certification
• Accredited or formal training in:

• PACE interviewing
• Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA)
• Evidence gathering and case preparation

Additional Information

• 30 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• Permanent Role – 37 hours a week with Weekend allowance.
• This role offers hybrid working opportunities.

Regretfully, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Matt Cloke, Environmental Crime and Compliance Manager at matt.cloke@somerset.gov.uk or Jo Toogood, Environmental Health & Licensing Manager at Jo.toogood@somerset.gov.uk

A full job description will be provided to shortlisted candidates or on request.