Environmental Health Officer (Food Safety)

Full Vacancy Description

Job Description                  Food Safety Officer

General

We are looking for a food qualified Environmental Health professional to join the London Borough of Tower Hamlets on a temporary basis

Main Purpose of the Job

As an Officer with delegated authority, use accredited specialist multi faceted skills and techniques to carry out a programme of pro active and reactive functions which will contribute to raising standards of food safety, health & safety and increased Infectious Disease Control in Tower Hamlets

Duties & Responsibilities

1. By using appropriate interventions, using delegated powers and specialist skills (i.e. audit, inspection, enforcement powers, negotiation and persuasion) within all types of commercial activity, within the Borough, with the aim to gain and ensure compliance with Environmental Health legislation so that the standards of public health are protected and enhanced for residents, businesses and visitors.

2. Using specialist skills make decisions on behalf of the Service relating to service requests, enforcement action, service consultations, infectious disease interventions, licence and planning applications

3. Deliver advice, run campaigns and education initiatives with businesses, residents and targeted groups to raise and improve levels of public health within the Borough

4. Work in partnership with businesses, residents, elected members government departments and agencies, other regulators and health care providers in all area of projects and joint working to improve standards of public health.

5. Exercise delegated authority where authorised to act as an Officer on behalf of the Council under the appropriate legislative provisions and ensure statutory responsibilities are properly and effectively discharged, on issues within  Environmental Health (Commercial) i.e. Food Safety and Infectious Disease control.

6. To undertake programmed and complaint audits, inspections, surveys and investigations under all the relevant Food Safety Legislation, including visiting sites alone taking necessary action, such visits will involve attending locations and encountering situations which may involve personal risk.

7. Carry a caseload prioritising and programming work and making day to day decisions on cases as required.

8. Initiate and carry out enforcement and legal process functions in residential and all types of commercial premises (from multinational to small businesses), including the prosecution, seizure or detention of goods, issuing of notices, application for and execution of warrants necessitating the forced entry to premises

9. Promote public and business education by devising and organising talks, presentations, displays, exhibitions to the public, schools, trade associations and other groups as necessary.

10. Provide specialist technical advice and guidance to all service users including residents, consumers, traders and businesses on Food Safety matters.

11. Responsible for the proper storage, care, calibration of all specialist and routine     equipment which may be necessary for the carrying out of the post in accordance with best practice.

12. Prepare case reports and make recommendations for legal proceedings and provide briefings for legal representatives.

13. Produce witness statements, attend court and other legal forums and act as an expert witness in Environmental Health issues on behalf of the Council,

14. To prepare correspondence and reports for, and represent the Section at Committees / Sub- Committees, or be a representative of the Council at, Forums, Multi-disciplinary working groups etc. Represent the Council on liaison and multi-disciplinary working groups both within and outside the Borough and ensure appropriate liaison with all interested parties on issues including the public, elected members, other Council Dept’s, and other Local Authorities.

15. The post holder may be required to undertake any duty appropriate to the post within any unit of the Section at any location within the Borough including tasks outside normal working hours.

16. To ensure that all duties and responsibilities are performed in accordance with all Council’s Policies and Procedures including Financial Regulations, Standing Orders, Personnel Policies and Procedures, Health & Safety Policy etc.

17. To participate in the Council’s Performance Management Scheme achieving identified standards / targets and ensuring these are met within the agreed time scale.

18. Keep abreast of professional developments and best practice in all areas of Food Safety, attending Continuing Professional Development Courses as appropriate and applying updated knowledge to present case load and sharing information gather on Courses, including providing training for other staff.

19. To operate and utilise Information Technology as appropriate to the work of the Section and assist with the identification and development of new IT applications that would improve the efficiency of the Section.

20. To promote and comply with the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy in the opposition and eradication of all forms of discrimination and to ensure all services are accessible to all users

21. To undertake any other duties and responsibilities which may from time to time arise which are within the capabilities of the post holder and commensurate with the grade of the post.

22. To identify, develop and nurture partnerships with other individuals, agencies, groups and government departments to enable the Service to develop and gain greater efficiency delivering its core functions.

23. As an authorised Food Safety Officer provide professional/technical advice to other Technical Officers/Trainee Technical Officers/Students within the Service.

24. Carry a caseload prioritising and programming work and making decisions on cases as required. Initiating inspections at all levels of category of premises including high risk Food premises. To secure compliance to acceptable standards by own initiative.

25. To have achieved accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health for the inspection of Food Standards. (Higher Certificate in Food Premises Inspection registered with EHRB with an endorsement to include Food Standards or equivalent)

General Terms

26. To maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job and participate in appropriate training/development activities including the council’s performance, development and review scheme

27. Ensure that all duties and responsibilities are discharged in accordance with the council’s policies and procedures, Code of Conduct and relevant regulations and legislation.  To comply with the council’s equal opportunities and diversity policies ensuring anti-discriminatory practice within the service area.

28. This job description is a guide to the level and range of responsibilities you will be expected to undertake.  It may be changed from time to time to reflect changing circumstances and demands.  As directed, you will undertake additional duties and responsibilities that may arise from time to time commensurate with the grade of the post.

Special Terms and Considerations

29. To be able to work evenings and weekends with appropriate notice.  

Person Specification

Knowledge

Detailed and comprehensive food safety knowledge gained through acting as a regulator in the field of Food Safety.

Knowledge and awareness of the issues involved when working within a multi-racial community

Understanding of the use of IT and its applications     

Qualifications & Experience       

Higher Certificate in Food Premises Inspection registered with EHRB or equivalent

Level 2: Higher Certificate in Food Premises Inspection registered with EHRB with an endorsement to include Food Standards or equivalent

Ability to prepare, write and present reports to Councillors

Self-motivated and able to work to tight deadlines

Clean driving licence

Experience of working as an enforcement officer or regulator          

Leadership and Management

Ability to respond effectively in pressurised and difficult situations

Enthusiastic, dedicated and highly motivated to provide high quality service

Experience of responding effectively to changing demands and priorities, meeting targets and deadlines, and maintaining quality services

Engaging With Others

Ability to deal with difficult situations with tact and diplomacy

Skills to present matters clearly and concisely to other officers, all service users and other organisations in written and oral form

Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and service users, especially the local community and businesses

Ability to deal courteously with Members, all service users and colleagues in all circumstances

Valuing Diversity

Ability to provide a flexible and creative approach to the provision of a regulatory service

Ability to work as part of a team, including leading a multi-disciplinary group

Knowledge of and commitment to Equal Opportunities and the ability to implement this within the service and for service delivery

Learning Effectively

Ability to efficiently and effectively analyse information and identify the key strategic issues for the service

Understanding of customer care issues

Additional Requirements

Willingness to work outside of contracted hours in the evenings and weekends subject to notice.