Job Description
4 months contract with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• This role is responsible for leading and delivering high-quality environmental health services within residential and commercial settings.
• Reporting to the Team Manager, the Senior Environmental Health Officer oversees a team of officers and technical staff, ensuring statutory responsibilities are met and services are delivered in line with legal, policy, and procedural frameworks.
• The postholder acts as a subject matter expert, takes the lead on complex cases, and deputises for the Team Manager when required.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Manage, supervise and support a team of Environmental Health Officers, Lead Officers, and Technical staff to ensure performance meets statutory and organisational standards.
• Undertake complex and sensitive environmental health investigations and enforcement, including emergency interventions and legal proceedings.
• Lead on service delivery in assigned areas, including housing standards, public health, environmental protection, or commercial regulatory work.
• Provide expert advice to elected members, colleagues, stakeholders, and members of the public on a range of environmental health matters.
• Oversee work allocation, monitor caseloads, and determine priorities in line with team and service objectives.
• Support the development and implementation of policies, strategies, and procedures, contributing to service improvement.
• Prepare and present reports, statutory documents, correspondence, and responses to internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in legal enforcement processes, including drafting notices, statements, and giving evidence in court or tribunals.
• Contribute to training and mentoring of students, junior officers, and external partners through presentations and direct supervision.
• Attend meetings, working groups, and public enquiries as required, representing the service with professionalism and authority.
• Scrutinise and comment on planning, licensing, and statutory applications in line with environmental health considerations.
• Contribute to recruitment, staff development, and industrial relations processes where needed.
• Keep up to date with legislation, guidance, and technical developments, undertaking continuing professional development (CPD).
Skills/Experience:
• Extensive post-qualification experience in residential and/or commercial environmental health work.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, with the ability to manage staff and allocate work effectively.
• Excellent understanding of relevant legislation, codes of practice, and legal processes including PACE and CPS standards.
• Proven track record of successful enforcement action, complaint investigation, and case management.
• Ability to interpret and apply technical and legal information with sound professional judgement.
• Strong report writing, presentation, and verbal communication skills.
• Confident IT user with experience of using environmental health management systems.
• Experience of advising internal and external stakeholders at senior levels.
• Ability to train, mentor, and support colleagues and students.
Additional Information:
• Degree or diploma in Environmental Health and registration with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) or equivalent.
Requirements
• Extensive post-qualification experience in residential and/or commercial environmental health work. • Strong leadership and supervisory skills, with the ability to manage staff and allocate work effectively. • Excellent understanding of relevant legislation, codes of practice, and legal processes including PACE and CPS standards. • Proven track record of successful enforcement action, complaint investigation, and case management. • Ability to interpret and apply technical and legal information with sound professional judgement. • Strong report writing, presentation, and verbal communication skills. • Confident IT user with experience of using environmental health management systems. • Experience of advising internal and external stakeholders at senior levels. • Ability to train, mentor, and support colleagues and students.