Environmental Crime Enforcement Officer in Pennington

Environmental Enforcement Officer, 37 hours per week, permanent (part-time or full time accepted). Do you want to make a real difference to the communities and environment of the New Forest? Whether you're investigating fly-tipping and waste crime, gathering evidence, conducting witness interviews, checking waste carrier compliance, preparing prosecution files, or supporting legal action against offenders, no two days are the same in this varied and rewarding enforcement role.

As an Environmental Enforcement Officer, you’ll spend much of your time undertaking investigations across the district, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, conducting site visits and enforcing environmental legislation. The role combines frontline enforcement with proactive compliance work, helping to tackle environmental crime and protect the unique character of the New Forest. If you enjoy problem-solving, working independently, and making a visible impact on your local community, we'd love to hear from you.

About you

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing investigations from initial report through to enforcement action, including evidence gathering, statement taking, case file preparation and, where necessary, supporting prosecution proceedings. You are a motivated, proactive and professional individual with a keen eye for detail and a commitment to gathering robust evidence and achieving positive enforcement outcomes. You are confident dealing with challenging situations, reviewing information, interviewing witnesses and alleged offenders, and making sound decisions based on evidence and legislation.

You enjoy problem-solving, managing investigations and working within legal frameworks to secure compliance and protect the environment. You'll also have:

• Strong investigative and analytical skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience gathering evidence and preparing case files
• The ability to manage your own workload and prioritise competing demands
• Experience working in a customer-facing, compliance, regulatory or enforcement environment
• Confidence using digital systems and managing accurate records
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a wider team
• Confidence dealing with confrontational situations professionally and safely
• Ability to produce detailed reports, witness statements and legal documentation
• A full UK driving licence and the ability to drive a council vehicle
• Experience in environmental enforcement, preparing prosecution files, conducting interviews under caution (PACE), or working with legislation would be advantageous, but we are also keen to hear from candidates with transferable skills.

A positive, resilient and can-do attitude will be essential in this role. Please note this post is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.

What's in it for you?

As part of our commitment to being a supportive and people-centred employer, we offer a range of benefits designed to help you thrive both in and outside of work:

• £32,190- £35,797 per annum
• 24-26 days plus bank holidays, rising by an additional week’s leave after 5 years of continuous local authority service
• Hybrid working, with flexibility across our sites, and home working
• Local Government Pension Scheme, with the option of Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)
• Employee Assistance Programme offering free 24/7 legal, financial, and personal wellbeing advice
• Employee discount scheme with savings across major supermarkets, retailers, restaurants, and leisure providers
• Cycle to Work Scheme, helping you save around 40% on bikes and accessories
• A values-led organisation, guided by our LEAF values (Learning, Empathy, Ambition, Fairness)
• Access to learning and development opportunities to support your growth
• A supportive, inclusive culture, where everyone is welcomed and valued

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and offer a range of active staff networks, including: Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Group, LGBTQ+ Network, Women’s Network, Early Careers Network, Neurodiversity Network.

About the role and the team

You'll be joining our Environmental Enforcement and Amenities team, helping to protect the New Forest environment and improve the quality of life for our residents and visitors. In this role, you'll help make a difference by:

• Leading investigations into fly-tipping, duty of care offences, littering, waste crime and other environmental offences
• Gathering, recording and managing evidence to evidential standards suitable for enforcement and prosecution
• Determining proportionate enforcement action, including issuing warnings, Fixed Penalty Notices and preparing cases for prosecution where appropriate
• Working with residents, businesses and landowners to resolve environmental issues and improve compliance
• Providing advice, education and support to encourage compliance with environmental legislation
• Working closely with contractors, partner agencies and community groups to deliver positive environmental outcomes
• Contributing to cleaner, safer communities across the district
• Conducting waste carrier licence checks, vehicle enquiries and duty of care investigations to identify and deter environmental offences
• Supporting wider enforcement activities, including abandoned vehicles and other community safety initiatives
• Obtaining and reviewing CCTV and digital evidence in accordance with legislation and data protection requirements
• Conducting interviews, gathering witness statements and preparing case files for enforcement action

This is a role that combines enforcement, education and engagement, giving you the opportunity to achieve positive outcomes for both the environment and local communities.

About us

At NFDC we recognise that every colleague - whether in operational, frontline, or office-based roles - plays a vital part in delivering high-quality services to our communities. We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where people feel valued for the work they do and the strengths they bring. We aim to foster a culture where people feel confident to share ideas, contribute their expertise, and develop through meaningful conversations with their managers and supported learning opportunities.

Whilst we have our corporate values, LEAF (Learning, Empathy, Ambition, Fairness), we understand that different teams work in different ways, and we want our values to be lived in ways that make sense locally while staying true to our shared purpose as an organisation. We want colleagues to thrive, which is why we promote wellbeing, balance, and opportunities for learning and progression. Our values guide how we work together and how we support each other to be confident, capable, and adaptable.

If you're interested, please see the candidate booklet and job description for further information. If you are passionate about protecting the environment, tackling environmental crime and delivering excellent public services, we'd be delighted to receive your application.

If you would like to discuss the role please contact: Kim Nicholson-Knight, Environmental Enforcement and Amenities Supervisor 023 8028 5885 / kim.nicholson-knight@nfdc.gov.uk

Please note: You’ll likely be aware that there is a government mandate to deliver Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) to Hampshire and the Solent region, meaning a transition into a new operating structure from an agreed future date. This transition is currently paused following a recent government announcement, but it is important that applicants understand how this may affect their employment should they be successful.

DBS Requirement: Enhanced Disclosure

Closing Date: 5th October 2026

Interview Date: 21st October 2026