Environmental Health Technical Officer

Full Vacancy Description

Job Description      Technical Officers / Senior Technical Officers

Reports to:     Environmental Health Manager

Department:  Regulatory Services

Section:         Environmental Health & Licensing.

Purpose of the Job

To undertake a wide range of professional Environmental Health duties as part of a multi-disciplinary Environmental Health and Licensing Department, covering all levels of the Council, other outside agencies and authorities, businesses and the wider community, to safeguard and improve the health and the quality of life for those that live in, work in and visit the city.

Ideally we want candidates with experience in the fields of Environmental Health, Health & Safety, Licensing or Coronavirus enforcement or business support. We may well need them until the end of September to cover reviewing and advice on Coronavirus risk assessments and control measures at outdoor events and licenced premises. We might well have referrals from the Health & Safety Executive that will need follow up with focussed Coronavirus advice and guidance. If this approach fails we may need to take enforcement action so an understanding or experience of health & safety enforcement action would be of benefit.

Outline

If possible we would like some of the candidates to meet the requirements of the Food Safety Code of Practice to undertake food hygiene inspections. We acknowledge that this might well be a more difficult ask and may have to reconsider this if we can’t get any candidates with the necessary qualifications and experience for food enforcement work. 

Not looking for a full EHO but people who can do Health & Safety Enforcement. Ideally we are looking for 1 of the candidates to have previous experience with outdoor events, risk assessments, event plans and compliance.

Principal Accountabilities

To provide advice and information to users and providers of services within the remit of the Environmental Health and Licensing section to improve the health and quality of life for those who live in, work in and visit the city. 

To investigate and take appropriate action with regard to complaints, reportable accidents or infectious diseases to ensure legal standards are being met and legislation is being complied with and public health protected.

To draft and serve Formal Notices, initiate legal proceedings provide statements and give professional evidence as required on behalf of the Council, the police and other agencies, in Courts of law.

To inspect and appraise commercial and residential premises to ensure appropriate legislation is being complied with and seek remedy where necessary.

To take appropriate action to remove health hazards and safeguard public health.

To check and examine Planning and Building Control and licensing/registration applications to ensure standards are met, preparing committee reports as necessary and investigating non-compliance. 

To educate by use of pamphlets, articles and worksite and public seminars, act as a trainer to improve standards, meet legal requirements and promote the work of the section.

To represent the department at Officer and Public level and co-ordinate with other agencies and departments to ensure information is exchanged and consistency and quality is maintained providing a quality service to the public.

To keep full and accurate records of work undertaken and operate all administrative practices and procedures as described, using I.T. software packages and analysis of data.

To maintain up to date and specialist knowledge in a field of environmental health in order to provide a departmental expert resource for complex investigations and inspections.

To develop policies and procedures in accordance with services’ quality assurance accreditation taking into account technical advice and legislative change to ensure the service is developed.

To investigate commercial noise complaints, industrial air and land pollution dealing with local air pollution prevention and control, air quality management and/or contaminated land to ensure execution of the Council’s pollution duties.

To improve the condition of premises and/or practices within them by undertaking proactive surveys and inspections as part of a programme of work, including appropriate legal action, recording of risk and other assessments and reports having regard to relevant legislation and Council policy.

To undertake food safety, occupational health and safety or technical commercial pollution investigations and inspections for any purpose appropriate to the duties of the department and the taking of any action including seizure or sampling in accordance with the relevant legislation.  To be expected at any time to cover work within other specialist teams in Environmental Health and Licensing. To maintain competency to risk, assess and inspect high-risk premises.

To initiate health promotion on a day-to-day basis in the course of normal duties, and to participate in health promotion, education and information activities e.g., food hygiene training. Lecturing on accredited courses such as foundation certificate in food hygiene up to advanced level

To participate in continuing professional development training and job development programmes in order to keep abreast of changes in legislation and technical guidance. Undertaking the minimum number of certificated CPD training per year as required by relevant enforcement body e.g., Food Standards Agency, Health & Safety Executive etc.

To work flexibly and adapt to working in different teams at short notice to meet demands.

At all levels

To uphold the Council’s policies for anti-discriminatory practice and equality of opportunity.

To uphold the Council’s and other departments’ Health and Safety requirements, particularly with regard to agreed codes of practice and safe methods of working.

Your duties will be as set out in the above job description but please note that the Council reserves the right to update your job description, from time to time, to reflect changes in, or to, your job. 

You will be consulted about any proposed changes.

The list of duties in the job description should not be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive.

There will be other duties and requirements associated with your job and, in addition, as a term of your employment you may be required to undertake various other duties as may reasonably be required.

Person Specification

Job Related Knowledge, Experience and Qualifications

Higher Certificate in Food Control, Higher Certificate in Food Premises Inspections, or NEBOSHH Certificate or equivalent, or Diploma Acoustics, Pollution or Post Graduate diploma or equivalent.

Demonstrate competence at food safety as determined by the Food Standards Agency or Health & Safety at Work as determined by Health & Safety Commission or acoustics/pollution to undertake commercial noise, air pollution control (LAPC or air quality management) or contaminated land work competently.

Good, up to date and demonstrable knowledge of environmental health legislation, associated legislation, codes of practice and both criminal/civil law

Experience of dealing with the public preferably within a public service context.

Demonstrable role related experience (post qualification)

Candidates who have acquired considerable relevant work experience equivalent to the given qualification may be considered.

Skills and Abilities

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to communicate effectively with the entire range of service users; ability to write correspondence, committee reports, legal documents, prosecution papers and schedules of work in default.

Assertiveness and ability to diffuse very difficult situations.

Ability to work with minimum supervision and to organise and prioritise work, often under pressure and to achieve targets.

Excellent problem-solving and mediation skills, and investigation techniques

Good understanding of IT and ability to maintain accurate and detailed records, electronic and written.

The ability to remain impartial in difficult situations.

The ability to use sound-measuring equipment and to be competent in its use: subject to certification by the Institute of Acoustics, tested by examination.

Other Requirements         

To possess a full driving licence for immediate response, in certain circumstances. 

Excellent, up to date and demonstrable technical knowledge of Environmental Health and Licensing associated legislation, codes of practice and both criminal and civil law.

The Food Safety Act 1990 Code of Practice: This classifies food premises depending on their risk, processes or premises.

Experience:

Recent experience of carrying out a relevant caseload of investigations and inspections in areas of Environmental Health.

Experience of developing policies and procedures

Significant experience of working at Technical Officer level or relevant experience gained in specialist technical /professional environment (e.g., outside of the Council)

Qualifications:

One of the following qualifications:

Higher Certificate in Food Control, Higher Certificate in Food Premises Inspections. Registered with Environmental Health Officers Registration Board or IFST (Food Safety Competent as determined by Food Standards Agency) *

Member of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Health & Safety Team) or equivalent (Health & Safety competent as determined by Health & Safety Commission) *

NVQ level 4/5 or NEBOSHH (National Examination Board Occupational Health and Safety) National Diploma*

Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control (Pollution Team) *

Or another relevant (equivalent level) qualification *

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) throughout the year.  Complete the minimum number of certificated CPD training per year as required by relevant enforcement body e.g., Food Standards Agency, Health & Safety Executive etc.