At a Glance
- Tasks: Tackle environmental crimes and ensure clean, safe streets for the community.
- Company: Watford Borough Council, committed to a sustainable and inclusive environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for community engagement and collaboration.
- Why this job: Join us to protect the environment and enhance community well-being.
- Qualifications: Full driving licence and a passion for environmental protection.
The predicted salary is between 30800 - 34800 £ per year.
Location: Watford Town Hall
Function: Environmental Health
Salary: £36,457 - £40,197 per annum
Status: Full Time
Job Type: Permanent
About Watford Borough Council: Watford is an urban borough in South West Hertfordshire; the borough has excellent transport links with mainline rail connections to London. Watford is the centre of a sub-region serving around 500,000 people living within a 20-minute travelling time catchment. As part of the London commuter belt, Watford is strongly influenced by London which brings the benefits of a buoyant economy.
- £1.4bn local investment happening – mix of public and private funding
- 5 major development and regeneration projects happening
- 3500 registered businesses
- Higher than average working age population
- Skilled workforce
- Affordable local housing market
- Home to many major international head offices
The Role: The role requires you to work with communities, other departments and agencies within the Borough and across Council boundaries to develop effective ways of tackling environmental crimes and minimise any detrimental effects on residents' amenity. The aim is to achieve clean and safe streets and gardens by effectively responding to problems such as fly-tips, domestic and commercial waste duty of care issues, commercial burning, abandoned vehicles, daytime stray dogs provision, along with reporting anti-social behaviour and licensing offences and other issues noted whilst carrying out patrols. You will primarily utilise powers under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environmental Protection Act along with any other relevant enforcement legislation.
What we are looking for: Join our team as an Environmental Crime Officer, we are seeking a candidate who can:
- Plan and balance a reactive caseload alongside ongoing project work and other scheduled proactive and educative work, having regard to the unit plan, the service plan and the Council's priorities.
- Provide an immediate response to environmental crime emergencies, such as a large potentially hazardous fly tip, along with responding to stray dogs requests.
- Undertake frequent site visits and patrols supporting the delivery across the borough. This will involve searching through fly tips and accumulations, taking and securing evidence and ensuring accurate records for evidence purposes.
- Establish good working relationships and partnerships with officers within this service, across the Council, customers and other outside organisations (such as Police, Environment Agency and other relevant statutory agencies) and persons in order to properly perform the range of duties.
A full (current) driving licence is therefore essential. It will also involve regular walking patrols around the Borough and enforcement work.
Closing Date: 1st March 2026
For an informal discussion please contact Nick Egerton (Environmental Health Manager - Environment).
A basic Disclosure check or DBS enhanced check (as applicable) will be carried out for this post. At Watford Borough Council, we consider equality issues alongside other factors when making decisions as an employer of choice. We are committed to ensuring that we have effective policies, strategies, procedures, and processes and that we encourage behaviour which promotes equality, encourages diversity, and contributes to an inclusive organisational culture.
Environmental Crime Officer in Watford employer: Watford Borough Council
Watford Borough Council is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can make a tangible impact on the community by tackling environmental crimes. With a strong commitment to employee development and a culture that values diversity and inclusion, you will have access to ongoing training and growth opportunities while enjoying the benefits of working in a vibrant borough with excellent transport links and a supportive team atmosphere.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Environmental Crime Officer in Watford
✨Get Involved in Local Environmental Initiatives
Dive into your local environmental scenes, like community clean-up projects or eco-focused events. Not only will you meet like-minded people, but it's a surefire way to showcase your passion and skills in environmental engineering tech.
✨Join Industry-Specific Organisations
Check out organisations like the Institution of Environmental Engineers for networking opportunities and resources. They often host events and seminars that can help us connect with key players in the industry, including potential employers like Watford Borough Council.
✨Show Off Your Projects and Passion
Create a portfolio that highlights any relevant projects, whether it's coursework, internships, or personal initiatives. Share this online, perhaps even on platforms like GitHub or your own website, to grab the attention of hiring managers looking for talent like us.
✨Utilise Environmental Job Boards
Take advantage of niche job boards dedicated to environmental careers. Sites like Green Jobs, Environmental Career and EcoJobs often feature openings from companies like Watford Borough Council and can help us land that full-time gig.
We think you need these skills to ace Environmental Crime Officer in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for a role in environmental engineering tech, make sure to highlight your technical skills like CAD software proficiency, data analysis, or modelling techniques. These are essential for the job and should stand out in your CV and cover letter, showing how you can contribute to projects at Watford Borough Council.
Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability:In this field, showcasing your passion for sustainability and environmental protection can set you apart. Include any relevant projects, volunteer experience, or courses that underline your commitment to these causes. Watford Borough Council will appreciate candidates who genuinely care about making a difference.
Tailor Your Application to the Role:Don't just send a generic CV and cover letter. Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Environmental Crime Officer at Watford Borough Council. Highlight experiences that align directly with the job description and give concrete examples of your work to demonstrate that you’re the right fit for a full-time position.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have certifications related to environmental engineering or technology, like LEED Accreditation or any relevant software certifications, make sure to mention them. These qualifications can boost your application and show that you’re serious about your professional development in this competitive field.
How to prepare for a job interview at Watford Borough Council
✨Brush Up on Environmental Regulations
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest environmental regulations and standards. In an environmental engineering tech role at Watford Borough Council, you might be asked specific questions about compliance measures, so understanding these will definitely give you an edge.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your proficiency with relevant tools and software, such as AutoCAD or GIS. You might be given a practical problem to solve during the interview, so it’s a great idea to brush up on these skills and perhaps even bring a portfolio of your projects to showcase your technical prowess.
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sustainability
In a full-time role, employers are looking for commitment and enthusiasm. Share your experiences, studies, or projects that reflect your passion for environmental sustainability. This will show Watford Borough Council that you're not just qualified but genuinely invested in the field.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Be ready for behavioural questions that assess how you handle teamwork, conflict, and project management. Think of examples from your studies or practical experiences where you tackled challenges effectively, showcasing both your technical and interpersonal skills.