Fisheries Enforcement Officer

1

South West

Bideford , Exeter , Launceston

Pennygillam Depot, Alverdiscott Depot, Manley House

Staff Grade 4

Permanent

Full Time

Investigation

£29,706

We’re looking for a Fisheries Enforcement Officer (FEO) to cover the North Devon river catchments including the Taw and Torridge. This exciting and unique opportunity will suit an individual with an interest in fisheries, with experience of tackling crime, carrying out investigations and submitting casefiles.
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Mostly field-based, you will undertake regular fisheries enforcement patrols with colleagues, police and other enforcement partners, using your initiative to target, disrupt and take action against fisheries crime. You will also support other FEOs across the Area when required.

FEOs need to be flexible, and able to plan, adapt and respond where pressures demand. Good administration and IT skills are necessary, including an ability to keep accurate records and input / retrieve data.

We would expect a person in this role to gain a detailed knowledge of their patch and wider fisheries issues. Establishing links with other partners and representing the public face of the agency to interested groups is a key part of the role. Being an effective communicator, often in challenging circumstances is an important requirement.

As an FEO, you will hold an authorisation under the Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 (SAFFA), which confers a wide range of enforcement powers and responsibilities and demands high standards of professional conduct. The role is a diverse one and expect to be involved in a range of different fisheries activities. There is also an expectation that staff will undertake an additional incident response role to support the wider business. The role requires a significant amount of working in unsocial hours. There is a currently a review of the terms and conditions that is seeking to introduce a standard allowance for this.

The role is situated within the Enforcement Team, which comprises 5 FEOs and 5 Environmental Crime staff. The FEOs specialise in High Impact Fisheries Enforcement (HIFE) to enforce legislation relating to illegal fishing, fish movements and alien fish species. Officers may work as individuals, with other team members and with partner organisations.

You will have experience of investigating crime and taking enforcement action against offenders. A knowledge of the wider issues facing fisheries is desirable. Presently, a fisheries patrol vessel is based in North Devon and this post holder would be expected to be the responsible officer for this craft.

You’ll possess.

• A keen interest in fisheries/enforcement.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• The successful candidate will be expected to pass conflict resolution training, which demands a level of physical fitness.
• A full UK driving licence and ability to swim are essential; boat handling experience/qualifications is/are desirable.
• Knowledge of fisheries and environmental legislation would be an advantage.
• Have a proven ability to complete tasks accurately and with minimum supervision, either working individually or as part of a team.
• Good networking skills and the ability to develop partnerships, and to represent the agency in public forums.

Further details contact Chris Lawson, Enforcement Team Leader at Chris.lawson@environment-agency.gov.uk