Principal Environment Health Practitioner – Food and Safety
Location: North East Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire
Job Type: Full Time
Salary: NJC39 - £50,269
Expires: 04/05/2026
Are you passionate about high‑quality regulatory services and ready to lead a team delivering real impact for our communities?
If you’re someone who brings significant post‑qualifying experience in food safety, health and safety or port health, and you’re ready to step into a principal role with operational and strategic responsibility, we’d love to hear from you. You’ll be comfortable working in a political environment, dealing with complex and sometimes confrontational situations, and building strong relationships with colleagues, businesses, partners and elected members.
What’s the role all about?
As a Principal Environmental Health Practitioner, you’ll provide day‑to‑day operational leadership for Food and Safety, acting as the council’s lead officer in an area which is a national and international centre of food manufacturing, storage and distribution. You’ll support the Commercial Regulatory Manager in setting strategic direction, ensuring statutory obligations are met and that services are delivered using a risk‑based, intelligence‑led approach.
You’ll play a key role in developing a positive, proactive and high‑performing culture, ensuring the service contributes effectively to public health outcomes and the wider ambitions of North East Lincolnshire Council.
What will your day look like?
Your days will be varied and impactful, including:
* Leading and managing a number of officers within a multidisciplinary regulatory team which covers food, health and safety, port health and trading standards responsibilities, ensuring resources are deployed effectively
* Acting as the lead officer for Food Safety in line with national codes of practice
* Managing a small operational caseload to maintain professional competence
* Providing expert advice and preparing reports and briefings for senior leaders, elected members and committees
* Leading projects, partnerships and joint operations with internal and external stakeholders
* Using innovative and commercial approaches to improve service delivery, manage demand and maximise income
* Handling complaints, enquiries and complex regulatory matters
* Supporting staff through coaching, development and change, promoting reflective practice and continuous improvement
This role also includes some out‑of‑hours working in line with service needs.
Who are we looking for?
We’re looking for a qualified Environmental Health Practitioner, or an individual with equivalent qualifications to be registered and deemed competent by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, with significant experience working in a regulatory environment and a sound understanding of criminal and civil procedures. You’ll bring detailed specialist knowledge of food safety, health and safety, port health and public health legislation, alongside proven experience of leading and managing people, performance and change. You’ll be confident communicating with the public, businesses and senior stakeholders, able to work effectively in partnership across agencies to deliver shared outcomes, and committed to continuous professional development and maintaining high professional standards. A full driving licence and the ability to work agilely are essential.
Why join us?
Joining North East Lincolnshire Council as a Principal Environmental Health Practitioner offers a rewarding opportunity to take on a senior role with real influence, where your expertise will shape services, protect public health and contribute to the wider ambitions of the council. You’ll work in a varied and impactful role that combines strategic leadership with hands‑on professional practice, leading a skilled team, influencing key decisions and working closely with partners, businesses and elected members. We offer a supportive and values‑driven working environment that encourages innovation, continuous improvement and professional development, giving you the space to lead, challenge and make a meaningful difference to the communities we serve.
Contact
Neil Beeken via Neil.Beeken@nelincs.gov.uk
Key Dates
* Closing date – 4th May
#J-18808-Ljbffr