This is an interesting and challenging role in which you will provide authoritative and critical legal and strategic advice and support throughout the Agency's enforcement community. You will contribute to national issues in enforcement and prosecutions (including development and implementation of policies, procedures and best practice), proposals for new legislation or changes to existing legislation.
You will handle a range of complex prosecution and enforcement issues and conduct complex criminal proceedings, for example serious waste crime with multiple defendants, major industrial accidents, radioactive substances, and nuclear sites. You will work with government departments and other enforcement agencies such as the HSE and Serious Fraud Office.
The diverse nature of the Environment Agency provides ever-evolving challenges for our legal teams. Our lawyers conduct criminal proceedings and advise on all matters relevant to the enforcement of environmental legislation. They also advise on the imposition of civil sanctions such as enforcement undertakings and variable monetary penalties. They provide a variety of training to staff including on PACE, disclosure requirements and the use of various statutory and enforcement powers.
In the role 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.
We are fully committed to having an 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.
The team
This role is part of our Serious Casework & Policy team (SCPT) and will be based in Leeds or Warrington. The team undertakes national casework, complementing and supporting the work of 7 Area facing prosecution teams and reports to a Senior Managing Lawyer who in turn reports to the Deputy Director (Chief Prosecutor) within Legal and Audit Services.
Experience/skills required
To succeed in this role:
•You will be a confident and experienced criminal lawyer with at least 7 years relevant experience with a track record of handling complex regulatory prosecutions.
•You will have experience of conducting your own trials in the Magistrates Court and may have Higher Rights of Audience in Criminal Proceedings.
•You will need to have excellent interpersonal, communication, written and organisational skills and a customer-focused approach.
•You will have a proven ability to work on your own initiative and working as part of a team and have the confidence to communicate effectively with senior management across the organisation.
Relevant experience of working for another regulatory body or a local authority is desirable and knowledge of environmental law would be an advantage.