Environmental Health Technical Officer

Full Vacancy Description

Job Description      Technical Support & Projects Officer

Responsible To:     Team Leader

General

Contract is with Bath and North East Somerset Council,

Contract length is for three months with a possible extension

Pay is £11.75 PAYE or £14.63 umbrella

Purpose of Job

The primary purpose of this post is to assist in the delivery of effective and efficient service by undertaking a number of diverse technical activities working unsupervised for much of the time, accessing and assessing information independently.

As one of a team be responsible for providing technical support and specific project support under general direction of a qualified professional in support of service delivery, applying knowledge and skills to a range of activities demonstrating understanding of the service area and the relevant procedures and guidelines

Principal Accountabilities

Departmental

Participate in the formulation of detailed team objectives and policies.

Under the direction of the team manager, ensure the effective and efficient implementation of Council policies and the achievement of the Council's objectives, including financial ones.

Contribute to co-operative working across services and cross–service initiatives in accordance with the Council's Vision and Values.

Assist in ensuring services are responsive to community needs and that equal opportunity and health and safety issues are identified and addressed effectively.

Assist in ensuring effective external and internal working relationships are established and maintained with organisations and agencies relevant to the work of the Service.                          

Ensure effective communication with colleagues, external partners, local authorities, business, residents, the general public and others as appropriate.

Behave in a professional manner at all times in line with the Code of Conduct.

Ensure equality of opportunity in all activities and to recognise diversity and equality within the workforce and ensure that the Council's policies in this area, including compliance with the Code of Conduct, are communicated and acted upon

Functional

Specific duties and requirements relating to Technical Officers are set out in attached schedule

Responsible for technical processes under the general direction of a qualified professional, in support of service delivery.

Investigate complaints as required by the manager in line with the relevant legislation and Council policy. 

Apply knowledge and skills to a range of activities demonstrating understanding of the technical service area, relevant procedures, legislation and guidelines.

Develop and maintain systems to collect and analyse information relating to the Service as a whole and any specific aspect.

Analyse and interpret data and information and make recommendations to support decision making by others for a broad range of activities across a service area.

Develop performance monitoring & management systems for all aspects of service delivery in partnership with other Council departments and other partners & contractors, including the production and interpretation of monitoring reports.

Work with partners and operational colleagues to implement strategic service improvements and developments.

Assist in the preparation of contract specifications and the procurement of services, ensuring financial regulations and Council Standing Orders are complied with.

Assist in the preparation of Council reports including monitoring progress, checking format and presentation, proof reading and preparation of support information.

Be responsible for maintaining and updating the Service web pages, and responding to associated enquiries.

Ensure own and contractors compliance with relevant health and safety requirements and legislation.

Develop a thorough understanding of the Council’s geographical information system and input, collate and produce information in required formats. 

Collate and produce in the required format any bids or financial information required by Government or the Council to demonstrate the manner in which the Council intends to achieve its objectives.

Explore funding opportunities relating to services, maximising opportunities for internal and external partnerships.

Receive and respond appropriately to enquiries by telephone, letter and in person, from members of the public and others.

Utilise up to date mobile technologies to best effect to deliver an efficient and effective service.

Develop and submit funding bids

Provide technical support for more complex cases throughout the Service and Directorate as required.

Represent the Council and local, regional and national forum and deliver presentations as required in relation to the service area to audiences including Cabinet, member panels, public meetings, residents associations and technical professional forum.

Deputise for the Team Manager as required.

Propose and implement service improvements to improve the outcomes for service users.

Undertake research, including community consultation and consultation with relevant organisations and undertake statistical analysis of the results proposing appropriate recommendations.

Contribute to developments in services and implement agreed changes to improve service delivery, delivering key project outputs.

Give information and advice to colleagues and others as required regarding technical standards and processes they should follow.

Establish & maintain appropriate links between customers, businesses and the general public and other services to ensure correct technical standards are complied with.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

Vocational qualification or experience to level 3 or 4 relevant to the service user group or equivalent.

Significant practical experience of working with service user groups giving rise to a variety of technical skills and sound understanding of the services available, work practices and processes relevant to the role.

Knowledge and understanding of technical standards, safe working practices and legislation for service areas (to include the supervision of works)

Able to satisfy the assessed standards of competence

Achievement of an appropriate technical/professional qualification prior to progression eg. NEBOSH general certificate, Diploma in management Level 3/5

Delivering coaching and formal training.

Completion of complaints investigations.

Experience of supervising others within the same field of work

Significant project management experience within the most complex and challenging areas of the service

Membership of appropriate professional body

Dimensions

Waste & Recycling collections to 76,500 households 

3 x Recycling Centres; Waste Transfer station; Commercial waste collection service; Clinical waste collection; Bulky waste collection; Street cleansing; Graffiti removal; Provision of public conveniences; Provision & maintenance of parks & green spaces; Fleet management services; Enforcement; Education / awareness raising / marketing / campaigning; Health & safety management; Procurement; Complaints investigation

General

The post-holder will be expected to work/be available outside normal office hours including weekend and evening work as and when required.  More coverage at events and business operations outside of normal working hours may be required going forward.  It is expected that staff will take part in these arrangements and this will be compulsory

The post-holder will be expected to travel/drive within the Bath and North East Somerset area as required to fulfil the job requirements.

Service Portfolio / Specific Accountabilities

Waste & Cleansing Lead. 

a)         Compile records, investigate reports of technical matters and deal direct with the public in resolving queries

b)         Assist in queries relating to the electronic van permit and residents permits scheme, including liaising with the IT provider as appropriate

c)         Design develop and maintain asset management systems within the Service grouping

d)         Maintain GIS records eg. Litter bins/benches/cleansing zones/waste collection days

e)         Assist in reviewing information to optimise routes and maximise service efficiencies such as fuel usage, vehicle tracking information, solar compacting bin performance.

f)          Investigate customer complaints in relation to aspects of service delivery, and take appropriate action with managers and operational staff.

g)         Assist with the design, development, procurement and delivery of schemes & projects

h)        Assist with the administration of paid for subscription services such as the garden waste collection service

i)          Be part of cross Council team looking at changing the ways we work and maximising the use of electronic media (eg. For payments for the garden waste service)

j)          Oversee delivery of works by contractors

k)         Assist the waste campaigns team in delivering roadshows, events and other awareness raising & marketing campaigns as necessary.

l)          Compile information for inclusion in health & safety files

m)        Procure minor items of work in accordance with existing contracts and framework agreements.

Service Portfolio / Specific Accountabilities

Parks & Green Spaces Lead

a)         Liaise and consult with community groups and other departments with regards to parks improvements and their implementation. Promote the use of parks and green spaces within Bath and North East Somerset. Take minutes at monthly meetings. Liaise, give advice, organise and coordinate activities (15%).

b)         Arrange site inspections with clients and arrange for payments to be made upon completion. Update asset management records, database/GIS/ spreadsheets

c)         Assist with inspection of allotment sites

d)         Assist in securing external funding and assist community groups with their applications

e)         Assist with control on all projects; arrange day works and variance orders as required.

f)          Assist with income generation of approximately £40k to cover cost of South West in Bloom competition (5%).

g)         Maintain GIS records eg. Litter bins/benches/cleansing zones/waste collection days

h)        Assist in reviewing information to optimise routes and maximise service efficiencies such as fuel usage, vehicle tracking information, solar compacting bin performance.

i)          Assist with the administration of paid for subscription services such as the allotment service.

j)          Investigate customer complaints in relation to aspects of service delivery, and take appropriate action with managers and operational staff.

k)         Be part of cross Council team looking at changing the ways we work and maximising the use of electronic media (eg. For payments for the allotment services)

l)          Compile information for inclusion in health & safety files

m)        Procure minor items of work in accordance with existing contracts and framework agreements.

n)        Meet with clients, company directors and managers of potential sponsors. Send out new contract agreements, check monthly current contracts and renewal as necessary. Keep spreadsheets updated and deal with day to day enquiries. Order supplies, works and contractors; carry out invoicing on completion (15%).

o)         Assist with arranging and preparing for Britain in Bloom and Green Flag entries. Assist with coordination of judges and judges’ day, advertising, awards and presentation evening. Arrange meetings and take minutes (10%).