Job info |
Job info details |
Job title |
Senior Environmental Health Officer/Senior Environmental Protection Officer |
Strategic team/Directorate |
Adults and Community Services |
Service |
Community Services |
Business unit |
Neighbourhoods Team |
Responsible to (day to day issues) |
Principal Environmental Health Officer (Neighbourhoods) |
Accountable to (line manager) |
Principal Environmental Health Officer (Neighbourhoods) |
Salary grade |
K |
JE ref |
COMSA03 |
1. Key purpose of job
- To maintain and improve as necessary health, safety and welfare in Torbay, including the physical environment by the enforcement of appropriate legislation and from time to time to assist other Officers within the Division.
2. Anticipated outcomes of post
- The provision of quality services to meet legislative need, the needs of the community and to improve standards in public health, safety and welfare.
- To provide a flexible resources across the division to allow the provision of statutory services.
3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post
- As an Employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding is the Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services.
- As an authorised Officer, implementing, administering and enforcing the full range of environmental health legislation and in particular those duties listed below which are relevant to the Team to which the post holder is appointed:
- Investigating complaints relating to the full range of work undertaken by the Team.
- Inspecting workplaces to determine compliance with statutory requirements including health and safety.
- Inspecting premises, vehicles and animals to ensure compliance with the requirements of licences and registrations issued.
- Controlling smoke, grit, dust and fumes from industrial premises and advising commercial and industrial undertakings on technical problems involved; surveying and inspecting plant and equipment; monitoring pollution; controlling domestic smoke.
- Advising on the avoidance, elimination and control of noise, vibration and smells and enforcing measures to deal with such problems.
- Checking the purity and adequacy of drinking water supplies and taking remedial action where necessary.
- Investigating and taking appropriate action under Public Health, Environmental Protection and Building Acts relating to statutory nuisances, defective drains, etc.
- Preparing and presenting lectures and talks on hygiene, safety and environmental health. Participating in the preparation of display and advisory leaflets as required. Promoting and participating in any health promotion campaign that may be developed by the Authority.
- Scrutinising planning proposals and plans under the Building Regulations and advising other Departments/Divisions on activities relating to environmental health.
- Undertaking as required research and study of special projects and the presentation to other members of the Division information and advice in relation to those specialisms.
- Assisting in the identification of training needs for Technical Officers, Street Wardens, Enforcement Officers and General Assistants and assisting in development of plans to meet those needs.
- Promoting Environmental Health and Consumer Protection in respect of any of the above matters by:
- Entering into informal and formal discussions, consultations and correspondence on the full range of environmental health and trading standards matters
- Investigating complaints from members of the public, Councillors, M.P's and Senior Council Officials relating to any area of work undertaken by the post holder.
- Conducting correspondence with owners and occupiers and drafting legal notices including schedules of work.
- Preparing evidence and attending Court or Public Enquiries for the submission of evidence.
- Inspecting premises, taking samples, readings or measurements and drawing such plans as are necessary for the execution of the above duties.
- Providing administrative, statistical and financial information regarding environmental health matters and activity.
- Advising, consulting and liaising with Officers and other Directorates and organisations.
- Ensuring that senior managers are kept aware of all developments requiring their decision and reporting whenever necessary, as required.
- Preparing reports and undertaking various project work as and when required.
- Attending Council Committees, Sub Committees and Working Parties, study groups, meetings or further training as and when required.
- Keeping informed of all developments, technical, legal or otherwise which affect the post holder's work.
- Maintaining accurate and timely records for the effective performance of duties.
- Taking proper care of all instruments and materials which are used in connection with the duties.
- Complying with all relevant Departmental procedural documents including the key task and objective policies, in particular those relating to response times.
- Promoting the Council's policy of Customer Care through the provision of a fair, efficient service clearly explained to our customers and demonstrating a positive attitude in all aspects of the work.
- Observing and complying with the Council's Health and Safety Policy and Code of Conduct.
4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post
5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post
- Supervision of Investigations Officers within the team.
6. Working environment and conditions of the post
- The role is demand led largely by reactive complaints or environmental sampling requirements and the post-holder will be required to work primarily in the open air, away from the main office base.
- The post-holder will be required to investigate environmental pollution incidents which may be unpleasant, e.g., raw sewage, blocked drains, very noisy environments, uneven terrain for significant periods, septic tanks, dog fouling, premises which are categorised as filthy and verminous.
- The post-holder will be required to enter domestic properties where the occupants are unknown and this may occur both within office hours or as part of out of hours investigations.
7. Physical demands of the post
- The post will require physical demands, such as lifting manhole covers, rodding drains, climbing ladders and entering some restricted spaces.
8. Specific resources used by the post
- The post-holder has shared access to a pool/shared van and is expected to use this vehicle for Council duties wherever possible.
- The post-holder will be responsible for ensuring the repair, maintenance and safe keeping of a variety of allocated resources including hand-held IT equipment, specialist drainage equipment and other onsite environmental equipment such as noise meters.
- When undertaking national assistance burial work, the post-holder will be responsible for administering the estate of the deceased and making the necessary funeral arrangements, payment of bills, etc. This will include responsibility for any cash found during the search of the deceased’s home and any bank books and other assets of value.
9. Key contacts and relationships
- External:
- All persons who contact the Community Safety Division, either for help or assistance, or any other reason. All persons/businesses whom the Division regulates. All external agencies with whom the Division consults or works in partnership e.g. HSE, Environment Agency, Devon Fire & Rescue, Health Protection Agency, Torbay Development Agency, DEFRA, Police etc.
- Internal:
- Assistant Director (Community Safety), Environmental Health Manager, Principal Environmental Health Officer, Democratic Services Officers, all other officers within the Council.
10. Other duties
- To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.
Other Information
- All staff must commit to Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discriminatory Practice.
- Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
- The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. And are aware that the Chief Executive and the Director for Childrens Services are the Safeguarding Leads for the Council
- This post is office based at Town Hall but the post holder may be required to move their base to any other location within the Council at a future date.
- As this post meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check (Disclosure) from the Disclosure & Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of ALL cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions, whether “spent” or “unspent”. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post.
- The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement.
- The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
- The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
- The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
- If this post is a customer facing role and meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2017 (part 7) the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
- If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
- If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council.
Person Specification
Note for Candidate
All Candidates
The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement.
In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.
Candidates who consider that they have a disability
Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.
If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.
Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.
If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.
Job info |
Job info details |
Job Title |
Senior Environmental Health Officer/Senior Environmental Protection Officer |
Strategic team/Directorate |
Adults and Community Services |
Service |
Community Services |
Business unit |
Neighbourhoods Team |
Skills and effectiveness
Essential skills and effectiveness
- Effective communication skills.
- Effective organisational ability, particularly self organisation, ability to see tasks through to a successful conclusion.
- Ability to work on own or as part of a team.
- Ability to pay attention to detail and thorough approach to work.
- Effective interpersonal skills and unbiased approach to dealing with others.
- Initiative and commitment with a flexible approach to work.
- Driving Licence and/or immediate access to a vehicle.
- As this post meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2016 (part 7), the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
Desirable skills and effectiveness
- Commercial attitude to the achievement of department targets and projects.
Knowledge
Essential knowledge
- Knowledge of PC based computer systems.
- Up to date knowledge of Environmental Protection, Anti Social Behaviour and Housing Standards Legislation.
Desirable knowledge
- Awareness of local authority budgetary control and constraints.
Experience and achievements
Essential experience and achievements
- Proven or demonstrable track record of successful work within Environmental Health or related field.
- Experience of dealing with public health and nuisance work or experience of dealing with investigation/enforcement work.
- Experience in establishing and maintaining successful partnership working.
- Experience of supervising staff.
Desirable experience and achievements
- Demonstrate expertise in dealing with Environmental health issues in a local government setting.
Qualifications/professional memberships
Essential qualifications/professional memberships
- Degree or Diploma in Environmental Health or an Environmental based subject (or equivalent).
Desirable qualifications/professional memberships
Other requirements
Other requirements of the job role
- Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
- Ability to carry out the physical requirements of the role (i.e. manual handling).
- Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/South West/UK in order to carry out duties.
- Ability to accommodate unsociable hours.
- Ability to accommodate shift patterns.
- Ability to accommodate on-call working.
- Ability to accommodate occasional home-working.