Environment Protection Officer

Here at SEPA, we’re connected by a passion that drives us to be purposeful in every action we take - to protect our environment. Through our expertise, we lead projects that make a difference for Scotland, and our workplaces are grounded in respect for that expertise.

That’s why, when you join us as Environment Protection Officer, you’ll discover enriching benefits, meaningful support, and opportunities to learn every day. That’s what it means to be Passionately Purposeful - for our environment, and for your career.

Experts at what we do, we work in a professional way towards our shared goals, knowing the work we do makes a genuine, lasting difference on the environment. As Environment Protection Officer, that involves:

• Carry out investigations into deliberate environmental criminality, with the aim of disrupting, deterring and detecting environment offending. This may include gathering evidence which results in you issuing a Variable Monetary Penalty or submitting a report to COPFS
• Conducts targeted site visits and deploys covert surveillance capabilities to detect and disrupt environmental crime. Gathers critical evidence by interviewing individuals, recording formal statements, and conducting detailed analysis of site paperwork and bank accounts
• Delivers agency AOP obligations by applying an interventions-based approach to mitigate high-risk environmental crime. Provides expert advice to local teams, assists with specialized phases of their inquiries, and accompanies them on high-impact field operations to guarantee enforcement compliance
• The role will routinely deal with operators who seek to profit from illegal activity or who fail to meet their environmental responsibilities

This is a highly important role within our Regulation, Business & Environment portfolio, which means you’ll need:

• A degree-level qualification in a relevant scientific discipline, or equivalent professional experience
• Proven experience in regulatory or enforcement roles, with a demonstrated ability to conduct investigations into unauthorised activities and execute fieldwork safely in line with health and safety protocols
• Demonstrated ability to resolve challenging customer situations with professionalism, leveraging strong problem‑solving skills to guide and advise others through successful issue resolution
• Strong experience in producing detailed written reports and documentation
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, and Excel

Please open the link to the Environment Protection Officer role profile link which outlines the core responsibilities and expectations of the role within a defined activity family. Please note the role profile name may be different to the job title being advertised.

We’re cultivating a workplace that supports not only your passion and your professional lives, but your personal life. So, you’ll find benefits that make a difference at work and h as:

• Hybrid and Flexible working opportunities
• Up to 35 days annual leave and 7 additional public holidays each year (pro rata)
• Paid time off to support your Wellbeing and enable you to Volunteer in your community
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Progressive Family Friendly policies
• Training & development to enable colleagues to improve their skills, competencies and knowledge to perform at their best.

Plus, many more lifestyle benefits such as 24/7 access to an online employee discount platform, credit union facilities and access to a Cycle to Work Scheme.