Work For Us

The role of the Senior Investigation Officer (Legal) is critical to the work of ESS, which is high-profile, complex and consequential. Sitting within the Investigations, Standards and Compliance Team, the role holder will be responsible for managing a case load of issues under consideration by ESS, including the investigation of matters brought to the attention of ESS by stakeholders and members of the public, or of concern to ESS’ Board from other sources of information.

Typical duties and responsibilities:

• conduct initial investigations into public authorities’ compliance with environmental law, the application or implementation of environmental law, or the effectiveness of environmental law itself, advising whether there is a significant matter within the scope of ESS, and making connections between issues raised to spot underlying systemic problems
• investigate matters of concern selected for full investigation with respect to public authorities’ compliance with environmental law or the effectiveness of environmental law, in a fair and impartial manner and in accordance with ESS’ strategy and procedures
• complement the existing regulatory and technical experience within the team by utilising relevant legal experience and skills to analyse, understand and interpret environmental legislation and case law often alongside technical and scientific information
• support the head of department in developing procedures for the determination of priorities for investigation, and ESS policies on the conduct of investigations
• assist in the planning and managing of the investigation function and achieve planned outputs as agreed with the head of department
• maintain appropriate records of investigations
• be the first point of contact for people and organisations raising matters of concern, for public authorities and others engaged in an individual case from the inception of an investigation through to its completion
• obtain, by way of written requests for information, calls and meetings, research and consultation with other staff, all substantive, relevant information pertinent to matters under consideration
• prepare for consideration by the head of department timely, high quality, evidence-based briefings and reports on findings
• provide legal support, as required and depending on business needs, to ESS’ In-House Solicitor to assist them with:
  • providing legal advice to all areas of the organisation
  • undertaking legal research
  • assisting with drafting and review of legal procedures and guidance
  • supporting the development and delivery of internal training and knowledge building

Salary: £45,894 – £54,952

Length of employment: 2 years

Apply before 11:55 pm on Friday 23rd May 2025

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