Senior Environmental Protection Officer (POB)

Job Profile July 2023

JOB TITLE: Senior Environmental Health Officer / Practitioner
Environmental Protection

GRADE: POB +£3k MFS

POST NO:

JOB TIER: 5 (non-management)

DBS CHECK: Standard

GROUP: Place Directorate

SERVICE: Public Protection & Enforcement

REPORTING STRUCTURE

Reports to: Environmental Protection Unit Team Manager

Direct Reports: 0

Indirect Reports: 0

ROLE PURPOSE:

Provide an effective and efficient service on behalf of the London Borough of Hillingdon in respect of Environmental Protection functions.

Take a key role in undertaking and assisting with Environmental Protection and nuisance related investigations and carrying out law enforcement.

Undertake a caseload of investigations and projects to further the Councils objective legal requirements in relation to Environmental Protection, as well as meeting benchmark standards in associated guidance and established codes of practice.

Exercise professional judgement and carry out all enforcement work in line with Council policies procedures, relevant national guidance and codes of practice, taking legal responsibility for the final decision made. 

Demonstrate competency, knowledge and expertise in all aspects of Environmental Protection functions.

A. Job Description

1. Resident & Community Contribution
§ Provide high quality, customer-focused enforcement, regulation and technical advice by working efficiently and effectively, bringing positive outcomes for residents, stakeholders, businesses, elected members and colleagues.
§ Demonstrate understanding of the Council’s Customer Care Standards and Council plan and ensure that these objectives and standards are met in order to deliver the Council vision of ‘putting our residents first’.
§ Deliver projects and campaigns to promote the service to our customers.

2. People Management
§ Assist with induction and training of peers, new employees, apprentice Environmental Health Officers and other staff as required.
§ Some supervisory responsibility within the team to assist the Team Leader and Principal Environmental Health Officers as directed, if required.
§ Identify any issues and or concerns in relation to a safe and healthy working environment in line with Health & Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974.

3. Operational Service Delivery
§ Be an authorised officer conversant with the requirements of Environmental Protection legislation.
§ Maintain detailed knowledge of relevant Environmental Protection legislation, regulations, policies, codes of practice and guidance.
§ Act as a subject matter expert and first point of contact on technical issues within expertise area of Environmental Protection.
§ Undertake reactive visits and proactive investigations, taking any necessary remedial actions in line with agreed levels of competency, to ensure compliance with legislative standards.
§ Complete topic-based projects and campaigns around established programmes of work.
§ Deliver in a consistent, proportionate, and transparent manner, a caseload of handling proactive and reactive complaints and resulting enforcement work to meet statutory and service requirements.
§ Manage assigned workload including complaint caseload with a minimum level of supervision.
§ Plan and prioritise visits and inspections in accordance with risk.
§ Provide and receive management information, complete accurate records and maintain confidentiality.

§ Maintain all records to comply with requirements of the service, external agencies and government.
§ Assist senior officers with guidance and recommendations to event organisers and licensees in advance of temporary and licensable events.
§ Assist in the production of reports to council committee and other bodies.
§ Undertake reactive visits and complaint investigations to nuisance causing premises to investigate nuisance from all sources including domestic, commercial, industrial and entertainment premises undertaking environmental monitoring, enforcement, advisory and informal actions where necessary. Take any necessary remedial actions, to ensure compliance with legislative standards.
§ Assist with joint problem solving approached through engagement with partner agencies and Council teams.
§ Periodically check signed statutory notices produced by junior team members in relation to quality, accuracy and appropriateness in line with delegated duties.
§ Operate within the Councils responsibilities under the Data Protection regulations ensuring the security, accuracy and relevance of all personal data held.
§ Maintain awareness of the Council's legal duties and policies on Health & Safety, equality and customer care, and ensure that they are implemented in practice.
§ Act responsibly within the working environment, evaluating risks and adhere to safe working practices. Promptly report hazards, incidents and accidents so that reasonably practicable measures can be taken.
§ Demonstrate compliance with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and ongoing competencies in the field of Environmental Health in line with the standards set out by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).
§ Represent the Council positively and proactively in a professional manner at all times.

4. Service Planning & Development
§ Maintain knowledge of the current Team Plan and understanding of own contribution to ensure delivery of this plan.
§ Assist service management in promoting and maintaining service standards.
§ Support development of strategy, policy and procedures and implementation in line with organisational objectives of continuous / business improvement delivery.

5. Financial & Resource Management
§ Demonstrate cost-consciousness and identify any cost-effective changes to own way of working.
§ Proactively plan and programme work to facilitate the most efficient use of time and money.
§ Ensure correct payment is received and processed for chargeable services.


6. Service Improvement
§ Identify and suggest any improvements to current ways of working in order to deliver a more efficient and effective service for customers.
§ Develop a culture of continuous improvement and performance, ensuring that council values are embedded in delivering a customer focused service.
§ Actively contribute in Team meetings, act as an exemplar on new ways of working problem solving and be motivating to help maximise performance and potential within the team.
§ Assist in identifying and improving areas of service where targets and standards are not met.

7. Contacts
§ Internal: Council colleagues, Senior Management, Elected Members.
§ External: Other local authorities and central government departments e.g. DEFRA, GLA, Public Health etc; traders, pressure groups, industry and commerce - to managing director level; Heathrow Airport Ltd - to senior levels of management; Solicitors, Barristers, Court officials and witnesses; Politicians and members of the public.

8. Additional Responsibilities
§ Complete other reasonable tasks in order to fulfil the role purpose or as required by management.
§ Work outside of normal working hours as required.

9. Key Performance Indicators – Examples
§ Corporate response for times for letters, emails and telephone calls.
§ Complaint response times and minimum times to first contact with complainants.
§ Completing programmed inspections / visits; as agreed.
§ Delivery of agreed performance and development appraisal (PADA) objectives.











B. Person Specification

Senior Environmental Health Officer / Practitioner
Environmental Protection
This person specification will be used for recruitment to this post. It will form the basis of the application form and candidates will be assessed against aspects of this person specification at interview.

1. QUALIFICATIONS
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
Degree in Environmental Health / Masters Degree in Environmental Health or

A Diploma in Environmental Health awarded by EHRB or REHIS to practice as an Environmental Health Practitioner or

Environmental Health Practitioner (Integrated degree) Apprenticeship

A Certificate of Registration awarded by the EHRB to practice as an Environmental Health Practitioner
?

Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and membership of a professional body.
?

Relevant post graduate qualification e.g. Contaminated Land, Acoustics, Air Quality etc

?

2. STATUTORY or ROLE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the business including working outside core business hours as required.
?

Valid UK driving licence or equivalent, with use of a suitable vehicle at all times to make site visits throughout the Borough
?

Ability to undertake visits and inspections at various locations throughout the Borough
?

Ability to participate in the team's working arrangements so as to provide full-service coverage.
?









3. EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
Demonstrable practical experience in Environmental Protection work area.
?

Experience of working in Local Government in an enforcement role.
?

Experience of a varied and demanding workload and scheduling work programs utilising time and resources efficiently.
?

Experience of working independently with the minimum level of supervision dealing with problems and challenges using critical thinking and making reasonable judgements when resolving matters.
?

Investigations and enforcement action to include serving notices, preparing papers for prosecution, writing statements, dealing with formal cautions in connection with Environmental Protection.

?
Experience of working with council residents, private residents, commercial businesses.

?
Experience of preparing and giving evidence as a witness at court / tribunal hearing / council committees.

?
Experience of conducting research projects and preparing detailed written reports.

?

4. KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team with the ability to train, advise and guide others.
?

Excellent knowledge of Environmental Protection and a firm understanding of the wider aspects of Environmental Health to keep fully conversant with legislative and technical developments in relation to the functions of the team.
?

Ability to organise own workload, determine priorities and meet deadlines.
?

To be able to make balanced decisions and select the most appropriate course of action, including taking formal actions having regard to Council Enforcement procedures and recognised codes of good practice.
?

Capacity to absorb new knowledge quickly and efficiently.
?

Demonstrable commitment to positive and open ways of working to support strong working relationships.
?

Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to liaise with residents and businesses in a polite and confident manner.
?

Excellent ICT skills with the ability to learn service specific software.
?

Understanding of GDPR and FOI requirements.
?

Understanding of other relevant legislation and regulations in relation to wider Environmental Health functions.

?
Knowledge of the political environment and its systems, political sensitivity.

?

5. COMPETENCIES
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
“Can do” positive attitude.
Demonstrates a commitment to changing work practices and processes, and a willingness to try new ways of working or thinking.
?

Takes responsibility and delivers results.
Adapts to changing demands to ensure that objectives are met, overcoming problems and making well considered decisions.
?

Team working.
Acts as a role model to others in the team, sharing knowledge and experience, when necessary, whilst respecting and valuing the contribution other team members’ experiences can bring.
?

Communication.
Demonstrates well developed written and verbal communication skills; and the confidence to present reports and verbal accounts credibly to a variety of different audiences.
?

Customer Care.
Develops contacts and relationships with customer / client groups, regularly reviewing service delivery and taking responsibility to ensure quality service provision.
?

Takes ownership of personal development.
Takes action to develop own and others' capability and knowledge by promoting and supporting developmental opportunities to improve performance.
?

Senior Environmental Protection Officer to undertake routine casework and inspections relating to nuisance. Must have relevant Environmental Health, Acoustics, or similar qualification