Positive Employment is currently recruiting for a Project Officer for our client, a local government organisation based in Southampton.
The successful post holder will lead and develop the organisation's environmental enforcement function, including the delivery of a 12 month externally commissioned enforcement contract valued at approximately £250,000 per annum.
The role will ensure effective enforcement activity in relation to environmental crime, including fly-tipping, waste presentation, and littering, contributing to improved environmental quality across the city.
In addition, the postholder will provide programme and project management across a range of Clean & Green Service initiatives, ensuring delivery to time, budget, and agreed outcomes, in line with corporate priorities and statutory responsibilities.
This role is a temporary contract with an initial contract length of 3 months with the possibility to extend. This role is hybrid working 3 days in the office, 2 days remote.
Duties and Responsibilities
but not limited to:
- Oversee the operational delivery of the organisation's environmental enforcement service, ensuring effective and legally compliant enforcement activity.
- Manage and support the environmental enforcement team, monitoring performance, productivity, and compliance with relevant legislation, policies, and procedures.
- Lead enforcement activity relating to fly-tipping, waste presentation, duty of care offences, littering, and associated environmental crimes.
- Commission, mobilise, and manage a 12-month external enforcement contract, ensuring delivery against agreed service standards, KPIs, and budget requirements.
- Act as the lead client officer for the enforcement contract, maintaining effective relationships with contractors and addressing any performance issues, risks, or service improvements.
- Monitor and control budgets associated with enforcement activities and projects, ensuring value for money and effective use of resources.
- Manage and deliver a range of environmental and service improvement projects, ensuring delivery to agreed timescales, budgets, and outcomes.
- Develop project plans, business cases, performance frameworks, and progress reports aligned to organisational priorities.
- Monitor project and contract performance, identify risks and issues, and implement corrective actions where required.
- Use performance data and intelligence to inform decision‑making, target enforcement activity, and support continuous service improvement.
- Work collaboratively with internal departments, contractors, partner organisations, and enforcement agencies to deliver integrated service outcomes.
- Prepare and present reports, briefings, and recommendations to senior management and stakeholders as required.
- Ensure all enforcement, contract, and project activities comply with relevant legislation, governance requirements, and organisational policies.
- Contribute to the development and review of enforcement procedures, policies, and best practice initiatives.
- Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion while maintaining high standards of customer service and public engagement.
- Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post.
Personal Requirements
- Educated to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent relevant experience.
- Relevant professional qualification or demonstrable experience in environmental enforcement, contract management, project management, or a related discipline.
- Experience delivering environmental enforcement, regulatory, operational, or public service-focused programmes.
- Proven experience managing external contracts, including supplier performance monitoring, KPI management, and financial oversight.
- Demonstrable experience delivering projects within a complex organisational environment, ensuring successful outcomes within budget and timescales.
- Experience managing teams, contractors, or stakeholders and driving performance improvement.
- Knowledge of environmental protection, waste management, or regulatory legislation and its practical application.
- Strong project planning, organisational, and risk management skills.
- Excellent contract management and supplier relationship management abilities.
Desirable
- Project Management qualification such as PRINCE2, APM, or equivalent.
- Qualification in Environmental Health, Waste Management, Environmental Services, or a related discipline.
- Experience working within a local authority, public sector, or regulatory environment.
- Experience delivering service transformation, pilot programmes, or continuous improvement initiatives.
- Knowledge of income generation through enforcement activity.
Working Hours
36hrs / Monday - Friday
Pay
£28.23 per hr
Please note this role is within the scope of IR35.
