Environment protection officer

We are recruiting for 2 full time Environment Protection Officers (Deposit Return Scheme Team) on a permanent basis

Your passion has never had a greater purpose

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.

Work that goes beyond your desk

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:

• Deliver regulatory inspection and compliance activity in relation to the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) administrator and across the network of authorised waste sites within Scotland
• Work with the other UK national regulators to understand cross-border regulation and consistency of approach (where appropriate) in dealing with the new DRS administrator
• Understanding what data SEPA will need to undertake our regulatory role, how this can be collected, used and managed
• Responding to industry queries and engagement requests from obligated companies
• Supporting the review of SEPA policy, guidance and FAQ responses following changes to previous policy and regulatory requirements
• Supporting the drafting of information and guidance to meet industry, scheme administrator, and SEPA needs
• Preparing for our new regulatory role - reviewing and updating our planned regulatory activities, training, processes, and procedures etc
• Supporting the Unit Manager with respect to internal, external communications, FOI (Freedom of Information) and OME (Official Ministerial Enquiries) responses
• Compliance checking, complaint response and enforcement activities

Respect for your expertise

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

• Relevant experience or qualification to SCQF Level 8-10 (minimum HND)
• Technical knowledge/experience of environmental regulation and provision of advice to internal stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to undertake investigations, inspections and interventions, including fieldwork, while adhering to health and safety protocols
• Experience in building relationships with partners and customers; and an ability to deal with challenging situations in a professional manner
• Experience in producing detailed written reports and documentation and proposing recommendations and conclusions

Support that goes beyond the workplace

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 at home. Such 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 policiesTraining & 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.

SEPA is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and good relations in everything it does - as a community leader, as a provider and commissioner of services, and as an employer.

We recruit solely based on merit. Our shortlisting process is conducted on an anonymous basis. Please ensure that you include all relevant information when you apply.

We support flexible working arrangements to help you maintain a healthy balance between career and homelife. This includes working part time, reduced hours, job sharing, working remotely. As a flexible first employer we are open to having conversations about flexible working arrangements that work for you and SEPA from day 1 of your employment with us.

We are proud to be a 'Disability Confident' employer and will work to identify and implement reasonable adjustments and equipment to support you in the role that you do.

Applicants with a visual impairment can request job descriptions and application forms in Braille, large print or on tape.

For the security and wellbeing of our colleagues, successful candidates will undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) pre-employment checks including a level one Disclosure Scotland check.

If you have questions or need any assistance with the recruitment process please contact SEPA’s Recruitment Team at recruitment@sepa.org.uk