Housing Officers

Full Vacancy Description

Job Title:      

Housing Enforcement Officer, Environmental Health Officer, Principal Housing Enforcement Officer, Principal Environmental Health Officer

Purpose of Job:

To provide technical professional enforcement services with the overall aim of protecting and improving the health, safety and welfare of every resident, worker and visitor within the Borough.

The post holder will be required to undertake their duties in the Private Sector Housing Team in one of the following sections:-

HMO Licensing

Housing Enforcement

Empty Properties

The post holder will operate flexibly and changes in priorities may involve the post holder being employed in any of the above areas or Regulatory Services.

Key accountabilities:

The Housing Enforcement Officers, and EHOs will be required to:

Undertake the investigation of service requests and identify contravention of legislation and corrective action to be taken. This will include taking the appropriate action in line with the relevant policies, procedures and legislation in relation to appeals, infection, accidents, risk or other circumstances within the general purview of the section. Inspect or visit vehicles, stalls, plant or equipment.

Identify licensable premises and take all necessary steps to licence the premises within target times, ensure compliance of licencing conditions, and taking the relevant enforcement action.

Carry out the enforcement of legislation and other powers in a timely and efficient manner, as may be required in line with service and statutory legal guidelines.  This will include the presentation of evidence at legal and other quasi judicial hearings. Initiate legal action where appropriate advising the Legal Service of technical considerations and contraventions.

Prepare and deal with correspondence, licences, briefs and other documents.

Originate reports in the appropriate format including the preparation and evaluation of statistics.

Scrutinise, process and comment on applications, plans reports schemes or other submissions for environmental guidance or clearance as directed.

Undertake the sampling, testing or seizure of products, materials, gases or substances.

Liaise with officers within Regulatory Services, council services, outside organisations, companies and individuals in order to deliver an effective Environmental Health Service.

Ensure the Group Manager is kept fully informed on any aspect of work which is controversial, political, strategic, financial or otherwise of a sensitive or highly complex nature.

Keep up-to-date with changes in legislation, policies, attitudes and techniques relevant to their service groups.

Assist in the preparation and execution of publicity campaigns and educational work.

Assist at meetings, working parties, public meetings, exhibitions or demonstrations

Carry out specialist environmental health duties as requested and in accordance with experience and training.

Carry out research or survey work related to the work of the Environmental Health Department.  Participate in specialist project teams as required.

The Principal Housing Enforcement Officer/Principal EHO posts will also be required to:

Provide expert advice and guidance to management and other environmental health staff as required with the aim of protecting and improving the health and wellbeing of every resident, worker and visitor within the Borough.

As required to act for the Group Manager or Team Leader in their absence and provide day to day cover and support within the department.

Support the Group Manager and Team Leader in the professional management of a team of professional and/or technical staff

Produce reports and reviews for the relevant Group Manager.

Participate in the emergency standby system and carry out related visits out of normal office hours as necessary.

As required, to be responsible for the use of equipment available within the section, and to train and assist team members in the effective use of equipment.

Manage the preparation and execution of publicity campaigns and educational work as required by the Group Manager.

Participate in and lead specialist project teams and co-ordinate distinct service areas as required.  This may include corporate and professional issues.

Undergo any additional training in order to provide an effective service in accordance with the service goals/objectives.

Assist in conducting reviews and developing services to achieve high quality service provision. 

Person Specification

Professional Membership/Qualification

Successful completion (or imminent completion) of an Environmental Health  degree or postgraduate MSc course, accredited by the CIEH in Environmental Health (Housing Enforcement Officer)

Or

Demonstrable professional experience in the relevant specialism     

Fully qualified EHORB registered and eligible for Corporate Membership of the CIEH (EHO)

Experience & Knowledge

Existing technical knowledge of the relevant areas of Environmental Health or the ability to develop technical knowledge.          

Experience of taking enforcement action.           

Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills and able to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing with a wide range of contacts and to deal with difficult or complex issues   

Ability to accurately draft legal documents         

Competent user of Microsoft Office specifically Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.   

Ability to accurately record data using specialist data management systems

Is self-motivated and able to work under pressure to meet deadlines and targets whilst producing work to a high standard.     

Adaptable, has as a flexible attitude and is able to adjust to change in tasks at short notice.       

Able to progress sometimes complex cases in a timely manner accurately and in accordance with the relevant legislation and guidelines.