Job Description

The diverse nature of the Environment Agency provides ever-evolving challenges for our legal teams. Our Enforcement and Prosecution team undertake advice and conduct enforcement, prosecution cases, and relevant alternative disposals such as civil sanctions and formal cautions. They also provide training to staff on disclosure requirements and the use of various statutory and enforcement powers. Join them and you will have the opportunity to own an interesting caseload and make your mark in a national organisation that promises a good work-life balance, salary pension scheme and great professional development.

The team

We have 7 Area facing legal teams located across the country with lawyers reporting through a team leader to the Senior Managing Lawyer (Enforcement & Prosecution) and Deputy Director (Chief Prosecutor) as part of Legal and Audit Services. Our lawyers undertake the conduct of criminal proceedings and advise on all matters relevant to the enforcement of environmental requirements. This role will be based in Warrington.

Experience/skills required

You will be a qualified solicitor, barrister or equivalent (FILEX with rights of audience in criminal proceedings) and ideally have experience as a prosecutor or defence lawyer of complex criminal cases concerning breaches of environmental legislation or other complex areas of criminal and regulatory law. You will possess a sound knowledge generally of criminal law, practice and procedure and be an experienced criminal advocate with trial experience in the Magistrates\' Court. You will have experience of preparing complex cases for trial and sentence in the Crown Court. You may also be a higher rights advocate but this is not mandatory. You will understand the Environment Agency\'s ability to use civil sanctions in place of criminal proceedings and you will have the ability to advise upon the right regulatory response to environmental offending.

Contact and additional information

Please note we do not assess CVs, it is your answers to the competency questions that will be used for interview selection. A link to the Capability Dictionary that lists the indicators for each of the competencies is available in the Candidate Pack.

For further information please contact Paul Taylor, Senior Managing Lawyer (paul.taylor1@environment-agency.gov.uk).

Job description attachment 1

Candidate pack

Closing Date:

07/08/2023, 23:55 hours

Level of security checks required

Basic Check

Competence 1

Illegal Activity Detection and Enforcement

Description

Advises upon the correct enforcement response to illegal activity and environmental crime.

Competence 2

Achieves Results

Description

Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.

Competence 3

Focuses on Customers and Partners

Description

Addresses the needs of internal and external customers, provides rapid and effective responses.

Role specific professional membership requirements

Current Practising Certificate

If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit for more information.

Environment Agency