Environmental Health Officer and Senior Technical Officer - #1785779

Job title: Environmental Health Officer/Senior Technical Officer (EHO/STO)

Salary: SO2 PO2 *GBP*36,124 - *GBP*41,511 (pay award pending) (starting salary dependent on qualifications and experience)

Hours: Full Time 37 Hours p/w

Contract:Permanent

Location:Office base at Seacroft, Leeds, with the opportunity for hybrid working

As an EHO/STO you will have a real passion for protecting public health and play a key role in helping to improve the lives of Leeds residents.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions .

About You

As an EHO/STO you will bring to the role:

• A commitment to protecting and improving public health.
• The ability to understand and implement regulations, policy, and legislation.
• The ability to investigate and assess the most appropriate course of action to resolve issues.
• Excellent communication skills.
• The ability to manage a busy caseload, to work independently, and as part of the team.
• Self-motivation and a willingness to learn and grow.
  
  
  

About The Role

Leeds City Council are looking to recruit three Environmental Health Officers/Senior Technical Officers. Leeds is one of the largest and most diverse cities in the UK, and a key economic, legal and hospitality centre for the region. This makes it an exciting, vibrant, dynamic place to work, and will give you excellent opportunities to progress or even begin your professional career.

We welcome applicants with a range of suitable qualifications and experience levels, including recent graduates, qualified Environmental Health Officers, or Food Safety Officers with qualifications meeting Food Standards Agency requirements.

If you are about to qualify, we know that your first job is important and you need to know you will have the support, caseload, and colleagues to help you gain the confidence, skills, and experience to set you on the right pathway for an amazing career in Environmental Health, including support through the Chartered Practitioner Programme.

Work areas include commercial Environmental Protection, Health and Safety, Animal Health and Welfare, Food Safety, and Infectious Disease Control. You can expect a mix of casework, inspections, projects and responsibility for enforcement action. Applications are particularly welcome from candidates with an interest in Health and Safety or Food Safety.

What We Offer You

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
  
  
  

How To Apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Scott Higgins, Team Manager Food & Health Team. Call 0113 378 6586 or email [email protected]

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least *GBP*38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose: To contribute to the delivery of the environmental health service by a range of interventions including premises and business inspections, incident investigations, consultations and taking the appropriate follow up action including the use of formal enforcement procedures such as statutory notices, statements of evidence and the attendance at court as a witness. The postholder will work as part of a team but will also be required to work alone whilst fulfilling field or office based tasks.

Holders of a Certificate of Registration awarded by the Environmental Health Registration Board or chartered status may use the designation Environmental Health Officer.

There is a pay bar in place at the top of SO2 grade. For appointment or progression beyond the pay bar onto PO2 grade the following criteria must be met.

Hold a Degree or Diploma in Environmental Health, and be EHORB registered, or a Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner

OR

Hold a relevant professional qualification at NVQ level 6 (Degree or equivalent) specifically relevant to the role

AND

Have a minimum of three yearsexperience of working in a relevant service area of Environmental Health

Responsibilities for Grade:SO2

• Carry out a range of environmental health functions including regulatory inspections, licence or approval visits, complaint investigations, sampling or monitoring activities and planning & entertainment licensing consultations etc..
• Undertake follow-up action including correspondence, statutory notices and enforcement action including preparing cases for legal proceedings.
• Gather and collate all the necessary evidence and paperwork for prosecutions.
• To conduct and record interviews of witnesses and suspects (under caution where necessary).
• To brief solicitors/barristers and to attend court to present evidence as required.
• Participate in co-ordinated activities such as locality based environmental projects and initiatives, targeted enforcement activities, health promotion campaigns etc.
• Ensure that relevant databases and information systems are kept updated and reflect current work activities.
• Contribute to work and service development activities and programmes by contributing specialist knowledge and experience.
• Liaise with a range of key partners and stakeholders e.g. other services, Elected Members, service users, business and community groups etc.
• Attend Court, Tribunals or other formal legal proceedings to give evidence as a witness.
• Attend and contribute professional advice to various forums and panels e.g. Area Committees, community meetings, Scrutiny Boards, Licensing & Planning panels, multi-agency meetings etc.
• To provide reports as required and take on board stakeholder views and concerns.
• Provide expert advice on Environmental Health matters to the public, other officers of the Council and Ward Members.
• Liaise and work closely with relevant partner organisations including HSE, FSA, DEFRA, UKHSA, EA, Police.
• Develop and maintain thorough and current professional knowledge on a range of environmental health functions and services.
• Ensure that the highest standards of customer service are provided and that customers are kept promptly and fully informed
• Communicate effectively with a wide range of people including colleagues within the service and across the council, internal/external partners, agencies, customers and the general public dealing with all contact in a professional manner.
• Maintain effective relationships with staff at all levels within the Directorate, other Council Directorates, Elected Members, external agencies and the general public.
• The post holder will be required to work flexible hours occasionally to meet service requirements which will usually be within the provisions of the Councils flexitime scheme (between 7am and 7pm). In all circumstances a reasonable period of notice will be provided.
• There may also be occasions where you could be called upon at short notice and in exceptional circumstances to provide a proportionate response to an emergency situation out of office hours.
• In certain circumstances, in the interests of operational efficiency, rota cycles can be varied subject to appropriate consultation and with reasonable notice.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade
• Participate in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills
• Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
• To work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
• Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
  
  
  

The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Responsibilities for Grade:PO2

• Undertake more complex work based on knowledge of the subject area and with minimum supervision.
• Assist in training and mentoring of less experienced STO/EHO\ Technical Officers, student EHO and other persons as appropriate.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of projects and service improvements.
  
  
  

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

For Grade:PO2 the post requires a Degree or Diploma in Environmental Health, and be EHORB registered, or a Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner, or have a relevant professional qualification at NVQ level 6 (Degree or equivalent) specifically relevant to the role.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate

Skills Required At SO2

• Ability to contribute to service developments relevant to the post.
• Ability to monitor performance effectively and achieve personal objectives and outcomes.
• Ability to understand and implement regulations, policy, and legislation.
• Ability to prepare accurate information / statistics for case files / activity reports.
• Ability to prepare letters and e-mails for communication with customers.
• Ability to investigate and assess the most appropriate course of action to resolve issues and prevent reoccurrences.
• Ability to prepare case files for formal enforcement action
• Ability to put the corporate vision and values into practice.
• Ability to plan, manage and evaluate projects and workloads.
• Ability to implement systems and processes which deliver service excellence and agreed service outcomes.
• Ability to work on own initiative, embracing change and new ways of working.
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to resolve potential conflict and to gain co-operation and trust.
• Ability to make an effective contribution to internal/external working groups and meetings, as required.
• Excellent interpersonal abilities, showing due regard for colleagues and customers alike.
• Ability to work independently and within a team, contributing to team goals through good personal performance.
• Ability to develop productive working relationships that command respect, trust and confidence.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and adapting to changing circumstances and priorities.
• Ability and commitment to work in a safe manner, regarding self and others
• Ability to use I.T. systems e.g. case management systems/ databases and e-mail,
  
  
  

Skills Required At PO2

• Ability to provide effective direction to individuals on projects and issues relevant to the post
• Ability to challenge and review systems to promote service improvements
  
  
  

Knowledge Required At SO2

• Understanding of the local government context.
• Understanding of the role of elected members within the council and the community.
• Good understanding of the diverse needs of customers and of involving them effectively in identifying areas for service improvement.
• Good understanding of and commitment to equality issues in both employment and service delivery
• Understanding of responsibilities in terms of health and safety.
  
  
  

Knowledge Required At PO2

• Hold a Degree or Diploma in Environmental Health, and be EHORB registered, or a Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner
  
  
  

OR

• Hold a relevant professional qualification at NVQ level 6 (Degree or equivalent) specifically relevant to the role
  
  
  

AND

• Minimum three yearsexperience of working in a relevant service area of Environmental Health
  
  
  

Experience Required At SO2

• Of working within a service area relevant to the post.
• Of reporting to and working effectively with a range of colleagues and partners
• Of advising and presenting information on your work.
• Of working effectively with others to deliver projects and work streams.
  
  
  

Experience Required At PO2

• In preparing case files for formal enforcement action
• Of training of Technical Officers, student EHO and other persons as appropriate
• Of working with and advising Ward Members
• Of problem solving, individually and in a group setting
• Of working with others to manage and deliver projects
• Of providing excellent services to the public
  
  
  

Behavioural & Other Characteristics Required

• Committed to continuous improvement.
• Ability to understand and observe Leeds City Council Equal Opportunities Policy.
• To carry out all duties having regard to an employee responsibility under Health & Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills and continuous professional development
• A commitment to the public service ethos, with a genuine interest in serving the public.
• Recognition and acceptance of the importance of the customer perspective in determining how services are best delivered.
  
  
  

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role. Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate

Skills Required

• Ability to use relevant specialist software packages
  
  
  

Knowledge Required

• Possession of a full driving licence and access to a personal vehicle.
  
  
  

Knowledge Required At SO2

• Hold a Degree or Diploma in Environmental Health, and be EHORB registered, or a Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner
  
  
  

OR

• Hold a professional qualification specifically relevant to the role
  
  
  

Experience Required

• in preparing case files for formal enforcement action
• Of working and reporting on politically sensitive issues requirement at PO2 grade
  
  
  

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