Main Vacancy Details

Category

Environmental Health

Location

West Midlands

Contract Type

Contract

Salary

Available On Enquiry

Environmental Health Officer (Private Sector Housing)

Full Vacancy Description

 

Job description      Senior Environmental Health Officer (Private Sector Housing)

 

1.         Job Purpose

 

Under the general direction of the Environmental Health Manager to undertake enforcement duties and administer services as required under relevant environmental health legislation. This post will be predominantly based within the Private Sector Housing Team.

 

2.         Job Dimension

 

To provide the Head of Environment and Healthy Lifestyles, the Environmental Health Manager, Members of the Council, other agencies and the public with advice and support on matters relating to Environmental Health and to enforce the relevant legislation.

 

To perform in a professional manner functions which may be delegated by the Environmental Health Manager which will be carried out in accordance with National, Corporate and Departmental guidelines and procedures approved by the Head of Environment and Healthy Lifestyles.

 

3.         Organisational Structure

 

The Environmental Protection Section is divided into two Teams: Environmental Protection and Private Sector Housing. The Senior EHO in each Team reports to the Environmental Protection Manager.

 

The Private Sector Housing Team is also made up of a proactive and reactive elements, dealing with housing standards, drainage and area based initiatives, including mandatory and discretionary grants.

 

Officers within the Teams work closely together, operating within any combination of specialist work areas, according to their levels of authorisation and operational service demands.

 

4.         Key Responsibilities

 

To approach the work of the Section in a flexible manner.

 

To supervise and coordinate a team of officers, allocating work, monitoring compliance with service targets and identifying opportunities for service improvement/development.

 

To ensure correct application of procedures for recruitment and selection, induction, employee development, performance management, time recording, home working, leave requests and managing sickness absence. 

 

To monitor the quality and accuracy of correspondence arising from the team and to undertake checks to ensure work is carried out in line with relevant legislation, government and Council policies and procedures.

 

Develop specialist legal and theoretical knowledge of work carried out within the Section, including the skills necessary to competently perform all relevant duties of the team within which the post holder is based at the time.

 

To act as a departmental specialist and lead officer for a given work area, or areas, providing advice, support, guidance and training as necessary to colleagues and management in the work area(s).

 

To support the Environmental Health Manager(s) in the work of the Section, including:

 

Deputising for the Environmental Health Manager(s) or other Senior Environmental Health Officers as necessary.

 

Processing financial matters within the limits of delegated authority.

 

Making recommendations for inclusion in the service plan(s).

 

Contributing to development of policy in any of the specialist areas.

 

Undertaking performance development reviews with team members.

 

Undertaking projects in connection with management initiatives as directed.

 

Identifying, implementing and evaluating project work associated with any of the specialist areas, using the team(s) as necessary.

 

Undertake fieldwork on site including appropriate visits, enforcement and the relevant administration relating to the enforcement activities.

 

To respond to complaints and enquiries relevant to the Section of a more complex nature.

 

To undertake enforcement of legislation, including:

 

Gathering evidence for prosecution/legal action in accordance with policies and procedures, including interviewing offenders, obtaining witness statements and making all necessary enquiries.

 

Serving and enforcing statutory notices, including fixed penalties.

 

Preparing prosecution case files/committee reports, attending briefings and committees as and when required and presenting evidence in court.

 

To provide specialist advice relevant to the work of the Section to all internal and external customers as directed by the Head of Environmental Health or Environmental Health Manager.

 

To deliver seminars/presentations to a range of audiences (colleagues, groups, in-house/ external training etc.)

 

To assist as may be required with the training of students and other Council staff.

 

On occasions, duties may necessitate work outside normal office hours.  Time off in lieu, or paid overtime, will be granted at the discretion of the Environmental Health Manager and in line with conditions of service.

 

To provide ‘stand-by’ cover and Emergency Response Service as required. Payment will be given in recognition of these duties and responsibilities.

 

Any other duties commensurate with the levels of responsibility attached to the post as may be directed by the Head of service.

 

5.         Decision Making

 

Under the general direction of the Environmental Health Manager, the postholder will be expected to act and advise on a wide range of issues and projects and plan to undertake their own work programme.  The postholder will be expected to bring professional judgement and legal interpretation of the relevant Acts as they apply to this function.

 

6.         Complexity/Problem Solving

 

The postholder will be required to provide solutions in respect of complex problems covering a wide range of Environmental health, and specifically in relation to their specialist area.

 

To analyse complex and technical/scientific reports and documentation, to quickly and accurately assess against legal requirements/guidance and make appropriate recommendations, in consultation with the Environmental Health Manager as necessary.

 

To identify appropriate courses of action following response to service requests/cases, ensuring all relevant legislation, guidance and best practice is considered.

 

7.         Impact on End Results

 

The postholder will have a major impact on service provision and will directly influence the achievement of the Section's operational objectives and performance indicators. 

 

8.         Knowledge and Skills

 

The postholder will be required to hold an appropriate professional qualification in the field of Environmental Health as detailed in the person specification.

 

The postholder must be capable of organising a balanced programme of work, prioritising varied and complex tasks and meeting deadlines as necessary to ensure the needs of the service are met.

 

The post holder must be capable of maintaining accurate electronic and paper records of work carried out/actions taken as required by departmental procedures and policies.

 

Supervisory / management skills to manage and motivate a team of officers in order to achieve business goals.

 

Good communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal in order to communicate complex issues clearly and effectively at all levels.

 

Ability to manage and prioritise large workloads and work to tight deadlines.

 

Be objective in all situations and able to deal with confrontational and traumatic situations

 

Be assertive and able to respond well under pressure

 

Customer care skills in order to deal effectively with a range of situations both in person and using the telephone, e-mail etc.

 

Basic keyboard skills to input data and produce word processed letters.

 

Investigative and research skills.

 

Influencing, persuasion and negotiating skills to manage staffing issues effectively, achieve improvements in wellbeing at work and to assist with contract negotiation / evaluation.

 

Ability to communicate complex issues clearly and effectively at all levels.

 

Detailed knowledge of one or more relevant specialist work area(s) including housing standards, public health, houses in multiple occupation, empty properties and other environmental health activity.

 

Current environmental health issues and relevant legislation.

 

Understanding and experience of relationships with the practical application and administration of Disabled Facilities Grants and associated partnerships.

 

Understanding of the principles of customer care.

 

Experience in use of Microsoft Office suite of software, e-mail and internet.

 

9.         Communication and Contacts

 

To comply with relevant customer care standards.

 

To work with internal/external customers/partners/agencies to achieve the goals of the Section, including representing the Council/Section at internal/external meetings as required and providing reports to Managers and elected Members.

 

10.       General Principles

 

Training and Development

 

Each employee has a responsibility to develop the skills, knowledge and ability required to meet the challenges of their own job and the objectives in their Service Area’s Business Plan.

 

Supervisors, especially, are charged with the responsibility for holding development discussions with employees, either individually or in groups, to ensure compliance with the Council’s Personal Development Review Process.

 

Equal Opportunities

 

The Council is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity and to the principle that employees should be entitled to work free from intimidation or harassment.

 

All employees have a responsibility not only for their own behaviour but for the behaviour of others regarding equality of opportunity.  Any act of discrimination must be avoided and any incidents reported accordingly.

 

Safeguarding Children

 

The Council is committed to promoting a culture which safeguards children in line with The Children Act 2004.  Employees are expected to carry out their role and responsibilities with due regard to the welfare of children at all times.  The Council is committed to ensuring that all employees are supported in respect to their safeguarding children duties.

 

Health and Safety

 

The Council recognises its responsibility as an employer to provide a safe and healthy working environment for all employees and accepts the obligations imposed by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and subordinate legislation.

 

Employees are required to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions and to comply with the Council’s health and safety policies or procedures. 

 

The duties of the post may be varied by the deletion of any of the tasks specified or by the addition of associated work.

 

Requirements        

 

Experience

 

Previous experience working as an Environmental Health Officer, covering inspections, investigations and enforcement duties.

 

Previous experience of managing a team.

 

Previous experience of devising and implementing projects.

 

Skills Required

 

Supervisory skills sufficient to manage and motivate team of officers in order to achieve business goals.

 

Communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal sufficient to communicate complex issues clearly and effectively at all levels.

 

Organisational skills sufficient to manage and prioritise large workloads to meet tight deadlines.

 

Be objective in all situations and able to deal with confrontational and traumatic situations.

 

Be assertive and able to respond well under pressure.

 

Customer care skills sufficient to deal effectively with a range of situations both in person and using the telephone, email etc.

 

IT skills sufficient to be able to input data and produce document.

 

Investigative and research skills.

 

Influencing, persuasion and negotiation skills sufficient to manage staffing issues effectively, achieve improvements in wellbeing at work and to assist with contract negotiation / evaluation.  

 

Knowledge Base

 

Knowledge of one or more relevant specialist work area(s) including Housing Standards, Public Health, Houses in Multiple Occupation, Empty Properties and other Environmental Health activities.

 

Current Environmental Health issues and relevant legislation.

 

Understanding and experience of the practical application and administration of Disabled Facilities Grants and the associated relationships with partner agencies.

 

Understanding of the principles of customer care.       

 

Qualifications / Training

 

Degree, MSc or Diploma in Environmental Health.

 

Certificate of Registration of Environmental Health Registration Board.

 

Voting member of the CIEH.

 

Housing Health and Safety Rating Scheme qualification.

 

A relevant post graduate qualification in a specialist area or ability and willingness to gain such qualification within 2 years of appointment.

 

Level 3 Supervisory Management qualification or equivalent vocational experience.

 

Attitude / Motivation

 

Ability to develop good working relationships with colleagues and partner agencies.

 

Able to present a confident and professional image.

 

Have a flexible and adaptable approach to work.

 

Ability to work both with the minimum of supervision and as part of a team.          

 

Other Requirements         

 

Hold a current Full UK Driving Licence.

 

Access to a suitable means of transport to visits sites across the District.

 

Willing to work out of hours on occasions and to participate in out of hours stand by rota.         

 

                                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Vacancy is no longer open for applications. Please search vacancies or submit your CV

Main Vacancy Details

Category

Environmental Health

Location

West Midlands

Contract Type

Contract

Salary

Available On Enquiry

Latest Vacancies

Environmental Health, Other Roles

Private Sector Housing Officer

London
Competitive Salary Offered
Environmental Health, Enforcement

Private Sector Housing Officer

North West
> £40/hour
Environmental Health

Private Sector Housing Officer

London
Competitive Salary Offered
Environmental Health, Enforcement

Private Sector Housing Team Leader

London
Competitive Salary Offered
Environmental Health, Enforcement

Environmental Protection Officer

London
Competitive Salary Offered
London
Competitive Salary Offered
Environmental Health

Private Sector Housing Officer

London
Competitive Salary Offered
Enforcement, Other Roles

Licensing Enforcement Officer

London, South East
Competitive Salary Offered
Trading Standards

Trading Standards Officer

North West
Competitive Salary Offered
Environmental Health, Other Roles

Private Sector Housing Officer

London
Competitive Salary Offered
Trading Standards

Trading Standards Officer

Wales
Competitive Salary Offered
West Midlands
Competitive Salary Offered

020 8360 7289
Kenyon Block Consultants Ltd,
87-89 High St,
Hoddesdon, EN11 8TL
Company
Connect