You’ll bring an understanding of relevant policies, employment legislation and data protection requirements, along with the ability to handle sensitive information with professionalism and integrity.
Incident Response
You will also take on an incident response role, providing support during environmental incidents or business continuity events. Full training is provided, and additional payments may apply.
What We Offer
* A supportive, inclusive working environment
* Opportunities to develop specialist skills in investigation and dispute resolution
* Flexible working tailored around you
* A role with real impact on fairness, wellbeing and organisational culture
The Environment Agency is committed to being an inclusive employer where everyone is welcomed, valued, and able to thrive. We actively encourage flexible working arrangements and applications from people of all backgrounds.
The National Internal Investigation Service (NIIS) is a specialist team responsible for delivering high‑quality, fair and transparent investigations into a wide range of internal employment issues. These include grievances, fraud, whistleblowing, disciplinary matters and other complex employee relations cases. Our work helps ensure every member of staff is treated fairly and has confidence in the processes that support them.
About the Role
We are now looking for an Investigation Specialist to join our team.
Responsibilities
* Lead impartial, objective investigations into employee relations concerns.
* Gather and assess evidence, interview staff, and produce clear, robust investigation reports.
* Present investigation findings at hearings, appeals and Employment Tribunals.
* Work collaboratively with managers, HR teams, Trade Union representatives and legal advisors.
* Contribute to the development of NIIS as a centre of excellence, sharing best practice across the organisation.
You’ll bring an understanding of relevant policies, employment legislation and data protection requirements, along with the ability to handle sensitive information with professionalism and integrity.
Incident Response
You will also take on an incident response role, providing support during environmental incidents or business continuity events. Full training is provided, and additional payments may apply.
What We Offer
* A supportive, inclusive working environment
* Opportunities to develop specialist skills in investigation and dispute resolution
* Flexible working tailored around you
* A role with real impact on fairness, wellbeing and organisational culture
The Team
The NIIS Team sits within the Risk & Assurance department, part of the Strategy, Transformation & Assurance directorate. You’ll join a diverse, nationwide team with a range of experiences and perspectives, reporting to the NIIS Team Manager. Together, we support employee relations casework across the organisation, helping colleagues navigate issues fairly and confidently. Above all, we’re dedicated to fostering a positive, supportive and inclusive culture where everyone feels respected, valued and able to thrive.
Experience / Skills Required
We are seeking a candidate with strong emotional intelligence, personal resilience and a collaborative, inclusive approach. They must demonstrate a clear commitment to fairness and creating an equitable workplace culture. Essential experience includes providing excellent customer service, particularly when handling sensitive and confidential matters, and producing accurate, well‑structured reports with strong attention to detail. The candidate should be able to interpret and communicate qualitative and quantitative data effectively to varied audiences, applying sound judgement and maintaining high standards of service. Well‑developed IT and virtual communication skills are required, along with the ability to work independently, manage pressure and prioritise effectively. A solid understanding of data protection principles is also essential.
It is desirable for the candidate to have experience conducting people‑related reviews or investigations, working in dispersed teams, and ideally some familiarity with the work of the Environment Agency.
Contact and Additional Information
This is a national based role, working in a geographically dispersed team. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share. The majority of meetings are held virtually via Teams, but it is anticipated that this role will require some travel to meet individuals face to face as and when necessary.
For questions relating to this role, please contact Chris Back, NIIS Team Manager. chris.back@environment-agency.gov.uk or 07747 472107.
Interviews are expected be held w/c 04 May 2026, via MS Teams.
For more information about working for us, our extensive range of employee benefits and how to apply, please read the candidate pack and additional information document.
Competences
Competence 1: Communicates Effectively
Listen and question to understand and engage. Convey information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing. Give an example of when you’ve used a wide range of communication methods to ensure effective understanding of a piece of work you have produced.
* How would you describe effective communication?
* How did you ensure that the audience understood what you wanted to convey?
* Were there any challenges and how were this overcome?
Competence 2: Manages Self
Has full awareness of own strengths, weaknesses, impact and approach. Effectively organises self and takes personal responsibility for own role in the Environment Agency. The role of Investigations Specialist can involve managing complex and demanding situations with people who could be in a highly emotional state. Give an example of when youve had to deal with a difficult people related situation.
* What was the situation?
* How do you manage your own well‑being and that of others?
* Did you have to make any adaptations to account for others?
* What were the challenges and how were these resolved?
Competence 3: Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality
Identifies and seizes the opportunity to create, introduce and implement new or improved methods, processes and without compromising quality or accuracy. The role of the Investigation Specialist requires effective planning and delivery of investigations in a timely and efficient manner in areas that you may not have familiarity or experience in. Give an example of when youve proactively looked for better ways of doing things, learned from events and sought to make improvements.
* How would you approach this?
* What aspects would you consider and what would be priority?
* Give an example of when youve proactively looked for better ways of doing things, learned from events and sought to make improvements.
Competence 4: Builds and Sustains Relationships
Develops and maintains effective working relationships. Please tell us about a time when you had to work closely with people who had different views, expectations or working styles from your own but all with a common purpose in mind. What was the situation, what actions did you take to ensure all views were respected, and what was the outcome?
Additional Information
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 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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