Enforcement and Appeals Higher Officer - ( Ref : 6664 )

The Enforcement and Appeals Team is responsible for the investigation of offences and serving of enforcement actions, including prosecutions relating to Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), the EIA (Agriculture) Regulations, species licensing breaches and pesticide poisonings reported through the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme.

We defend Natural England's decisions to secure positive environmental outcomes by overseeing and advising on the formal appeal process.

We also provide advice support to NEWLS, Area Teams and the police on matters of enforcement casework and reform.

Preventing harm to nature is central to our work, and we work with partners, landowners, and the public to advise, educate and promote the value of safeguarding nature.

We have a range of tools and sanctions available to address incidents of non‑compliance, including offering advice and guidance to support understanding of regulations and why they are needed.

Where sanctions are imposed, they will comply with the established principles of good regulation, being proportionate, transparent, targeted and accountable.

We will always aim to deter future non‑compliance, restore any environmental harm and eliminate any financial gain caused by non‑compliance.

Join us in shaping a future where nature and people thrive.

Whether you're drawn to hands‑on conservation or playing a vital part behind the scenes, your work at Natural England will support lasting benefits for the environment and society.

• Key Tasks/Principal Accountabilities
• Manage a varied workload of civil and criminal investigations into significant enforcement cases in a timely and outcome‑focused manner.

Provide specialist advice and support to internal colleagues dealing with enforcement casework, including Area Teams and NEWLS.

• Work with a range of internal and external partners, customers and colleagues to build effective relationships, clear communications, and ensure that delivery plans and actions reflect all the relevant issues to be tackled and achieve the best outcomes.

Lead on the preparation of investigation files, taking of witness statements, interviewing of suspects and management of evidence in compliance with relevant legislation.

• Carry out site visits and field investigations to identify and collect evidence of offences.

Coordinate the negotiation of enforcement undertakings and other voluntary outcomes with suspects to secure positive outcomes for nature.

Provide expert advice to the police and other enforcement agencies on environmental offences, including leading investigations into wildlife poisoning incidents under the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme.

Attend court and tribunal proceedings to give evidence and robustly defend Natural England’s enforcement decisions as required.

• Liaise with Senior Officers to prepare and serve enforcement sanctions and notices, including warning letters, civil sanctions and prosecution documents.

Monitor compliance with enforcement sanctions and notices served on offenders, escalating instances of non‑compliance.

Comply with internal enforcement guidance to ensure adherence to relevant legislation and regulatory best practice, including applying the principle of cost recovery in all cases.

• Be flexible.

Balance multiple work areas and priorities effectively to meet all targets.

Escalate and raise risks to delivery to senior colleagues.

Produce and deliver guidance and training on areas of expertise to support colleagues’ capabilities, team resilience, and meet team targets.

• Knowledge, Skills & Experience
• Evidence of delivering agri‑environment schemes and/or carrying out environmental impact assessments of works through statutory processes and/or using standard techniques for the monitoring of species/habitats.
• Search out and understand all the relevant information when dealing with complex situations and show great judgement in reaching decisions.
• Understand Natural England's statutory remit and tell a balanced and integrated story of our strategic direction.
• Identify appropriate solutions for avoidance, mitigation, compensation of environmental impacts and meeting shared outcomes; and identify opportunities for enhancing the natural environment.
• A sound knowledge of environmental legislation including the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.
• Experience of leading on environmental regulation and enforcement and/or high‑risk casework.
• Additional Information
• The role will require national travel to locations to attend site visits, team meetings and training.

This will sometimes require overnight stays.

There is therefore a requirement to hold a full driving licence.

• Flexible working patterns will generally be accommodated but please note that the suggested minimum working hours are 30 hours a week due to the nature of the role and workload.

We welcome and encourage applications from all communities.

Natural England is accredited to the Disability Confident Scheme, which denotes organisations which have a positive attitude towards disabled people.

Disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements for the role at the shortlisting stage are guaranteed an invitation to interview.

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