Enforcement Team Leader

Job Description

The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don't just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it, and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities, and our environment.

Are you a motivated leader eager to drive positive change and make a real impact? As an Enforcement Team Leader, you’ll lead a dynamic team tackling the most serious environmental offences across Cumbria and Lancashire Area. Your team will carry out disruption operations, investigate suspected offences, and enforce regulations on high-risk environmental crimes with a clear focus on risk and safety.

• Provide inspiring leadership to empower your team to act decisively and professionally.
• Champion health, safety, and wellbeing as fundamental parts of all activities.
• Ensure your team has the right training, resources, and support to succeed.
• Motivate and develop individuals through effective performance management and ongoing coaching.
• Drive proactive operations to prevent illegal environmental activities, working closely with national teams and external partners to share vital intelligence.
• Contribute to the local Regulated Industry Leadership Team, shaping delivery and supporting the wider department.

Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents, or provide business continuity support during an incident.

Join a committed Enforcement Team tackling serious and organised waste crime through regulatory legislation and innovative disruption techniques. We deliver effective, efficient enforcement actions across the Cumbria & Lancashire Area, providing strong governance and support. Our team collaborates closely with enforcement and intelligence colleagues across the organisation to ensure coordinated, impactful responses. Together, we protect communities and uphold environmental standards.

• Demonstrated leadership skills with a proven track record of delivering successful outcomes through others.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, able to adapt to different audiences and motivate stakeholders.
• Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with a wide range of internal and external customers, often working remotely or across teams.
• Skilled at managing multiple priorities, solving problems, and following governance and procedures—particularly within criminal investigations.

Note:

Experience in enforcement, regulation, or criminal proceedings is desirable but not essential. Your leadership ability and capacity to deliver high-quality outcomes is what matters most.

An extra internal security check will be completed due to specific criteria in the enforcement team. This check is done mitigate risk of insider threat and to manage the importance of integrity with high-risk roles only.

You’ll have an inclusive incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll help you find a role to suit your needs. Appropriate training will be given.

We welcome applications for flexible working patterns. This role offers hybrid working (once fully trained) with an expectation that you will attend your local Cumbria & Lancashire office on average 3 days per week. Travel to other sites may be required; therefore a full UK driving licence is essential.

Please read the Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries, contact John.

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Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.

If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.

Leads People

More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.

If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview.

Feedback is generally not available at sift stage.

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