ABOUT US
The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) is a new public body. We were legally created in November 2021, under the Environment Act 2021.
Our mission is to protect and improve the environment by holding government and other public authorities to account.
Our work covers England and Northern Ireland. We also cover reserved matters across the UK (a matter on which only the UK Parliament in Westminster can make legislation).
The organisations and individuals we can hold to account include:
- government departments
- government ministers
- regulators
- local authorities
- some private bodies, such as water companies – but only in respect of their public powers and duties
How we do it
The Environment Act sets out our powers and duties, which can be split into 4 types of activities. These are:
1. Scrutinising Environmental Improvement Plans and targets
2. Scrutinising environmental law
3. Advising government on environmental law
4. Enforcing against failures to comply with environmental law
We will use our powers and duties to make the greatest contribution we can to environmental protection and the improvement of the natural environment. This includes the protection of people from the effects of human activity on the environment.
CAREERS
Why work for the OEP
Are you passionate about protecting and improving our environment? Would you like to help shape how the OEP works?
We are looking for individuals, from any background, who have the enthusiasm to help us grow and develop this exciting new organisation. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, we would love for you to get in touch.
Benefits
As an employee of the OEP, you will be offered a range of staff benefits including:
- learning and development opportunities
- a Civil Service pension
- a minimum of 25 days annual leave
- staff recognition schemes, such as in-year bonuses
- season ticket loan
- loan to buy a bicycle
- employee offers and discounts
- staff wellbeing support
- Give as You Earn – the option to donate to charity directly from your salary before tax is deducted
