Trainee Environment Protection Officer Programme 2026

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.

We are now embarking on our 2026 Trainee Environment Protection Officer Programme.

What will you be doing?

You’ll join one of our public facing frontline teams and undertake a structured two-year training programme. You’ll gain a broad set of regulatory skills such as:

• Inspecting sites and reviewing data to assess a permit holder’s environmental performance
• Providing advice and guidance to external stakeholders in relation to compliance with environmental regulations
• Investigating and resolving pollution incidents
• Leading investigations into non-compliant activities to seek a solution to environmental offences, including taking appropriate enforcement action

Upon successful completion of the training programme you will be offered a permanent role as an Environment Protection Officer.

How will I learn?

You’ll take part in a structured two-year training programme designed to build your skills, confidence and experience as an Environment Protection Officer. This includes:

• On the job learning
• Mentoring and support from experienced colleagues
• E-learning and structured classroom sessions

The focus is on learning by doing, applying your knowledge in real situations and developing the skills needed to become a fully competent regulatory officer

Are you our ideal candidate?

You’ll ideally bring some experience from a regulatory, enforcement or customer focussed role – perhaps inspecting sites, handling complaints, or managing difficult conversations. Whatever your background you’ll be:

• Passionate about protecting the environment and happy working outdoors
• Confident dealing with challenging situations, including enforcing regulations when needed
• A strong communicator, able to influence and encourage others to do the right thing
• Well organised, adaptable and a proactive problem solver who is comfortable making decisions
• Detail focused, confident using IT and data and able to record information accurately

Please take the time to read through the documents attached to this vacancy for further information. They are located to the right hand side of the page.

Salary & Benefits

• Starting salary is £34,964
• 31 days annual leave, increasing to 35 plus 7 public holidays (pro rata)
• Flexible and hybrid working policy
• Paid time off to support your Wellbeing and enable you to Volunteer in your community
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Progressive Family Friendly policies
• Blue Light Card scheme

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.

Passionately you. Purposefully supportive

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 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

Apply now to join a Passionately Purposeful workplace