Job Title: Technical Officer - Food Safety or Technical Officer - Public Sector Housing
Hours: 37 per week
Salary: Career Graded HC5–HC7 – £25,989 – £36,363 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: 20 May 2026
Interview dates: 3 to 5 June 2026
Role Overview
We are recruiting two new members of staff for the Environmental Health Team to work in the specialist regulatory service areas of Private Sector Housing or Food Safety. In these roles you will support the council’s public health objectives by providing advice, carrying out inspections, gathering evidence and supporting enforcement actions.
What will you be doing?
* Private Sector Housing – Technical Officer: Deliver private sector housing work, including Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) inspections, complaint investigations, property condition checks, and landlord/tenant advice. Assist with HMO licensing activity, provide advice and enforcement actions on illegal eviction and ASB/nuisance cases, and contribute to health and safety enforcement work such as reactive investigations, workplace inspections, RIDDOR responses and targeted projects.
* Food Safety – Technical Officer: Deliver the commercial food business food safety inspection programme and food hygiene rating scores. Investigate complaints, advise and inspect new food businesses, assist with public health food poisoning investigations, sampling food, and support other public health work such as licensed checks, festival site visits and health and safety assistance in commercial premises.
About You
* Enthusiastic, customer‑focused and ready to learn with strong organisational skills to manage competing priorities.
* Communicates confidently with residents, businesses and colleagues, and can work both independently and as part of a team.
Job Requirements
* Willingness to undertake and successfully complete relevant professional development and any specialist or statutory training required for the post.
* Career grade: entry level requires GCSEs / A‑Levels (or equivalent); for top career grade requires a degree / Level 6 equivalent or substantial professional experience.
* Understanding of enforcement skills guided by legislation, regulation, codes and good practice, preferably within the Environmental Health specialist subject area.
* Ability to travel across Herefordshire.
We Offer
* Career progression: clear pathways with training, mentoring and support.
* Competitive salary within the HC5–HC7 range.
* Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
* Annual leave: 31 days pro‑rata plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 10 days per annum.
* Flexible working, including potential for job‑sharing, part‑time hours and agile working.
* Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 support and counselling.
* Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements).
* Access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits, including savings, cashback and discounts.
* Pool car available for district work.
Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations
* Those who indicate a disability – part of the "Disability Confident" scheme.
* Armed Forces veterans or reservists – part of the Armed Forces Covenant pledge.
* Herefordshire care leavers – part of the commitment to support young people leaving care.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Herefordshire Council is committed to strengthening a diverse and inclusive working environment that reflects the communities it serves. All suitable candidates will be considered irrespective of sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, race, religion or belief, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Applicants will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks.
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