Environmental Protection and Housing Senior Officer

Environmental Protection and Housing Senior Officer

Council Offices, Letchworth, SG6 3JF

Contract Type:
Permanent (Full Time)

Salary: £39,522 - £50,383 plus frequent car user allowance of £1,239 per annum dependent on experience (pay award pending).

As a Senior Environmental Protection & Housing Officer, you will lead complex investigations and enforcement activities relating to environmental protection, housing standards and public health.

Using your professional expertise, you will deliver effective interventions that improve outcomes for residents while ensuring compliance with legislation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Investigating statutory nuisances, including noise, smoke, dust and light pollution.
• Tackling housing issues such as disrepair, HMOs, mobile homes and empty properties.
• Addressing public health, environmental pollution, air quality and contaminated land matters.
• Responding to planning and licensing consultations and representing the service at hearings and committees.
• Taking enforcement action, preparing prosecution and tribunal cases, and presenting evidence in court.
• Managing housing assistance, energy efficiency and other grant schemes.
• Developing policies, procedures and service improvements.
• Providing specialist advice to residents, businesses, Members and colleagues.
• Mentoring, coaching and supporting the development of officers, trainees and students.
• Supervising staff to ensure high-quality service delivery and professional development.

This role offers the opportunity to influence policy, improve local communities and contribute to the wider delivery of Environmental Health services across North Hertfordshire.

The Experience You Will Bring

We re looking for an experienced Environmental Health professional who is passionate about improving housing conditions, protecting public health and delivering high-quality services.

You will have:

• A degree, diploma or MSc in Environmental Health (or equivalent) and significant post-qualification experience.
• Extensive knowledge and experience across Environmental Protection and Housing.
• A strong understanding of Environmental Health legislation, enforcement practices and regulatory procedures.
• Experience conducting complex investigations, gathering evidence, serving statutory notices and preparing cases for prosecution or tribunal.
• The ability to interpret legislation, policies and guidance, applying sound professional judgement to achieve effective outcomes.
• Experience producing reports, policies, procedures and recommendations for senior managers, Members and committees.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to explain complex technical matters clearly and confidently.
• Experience mentoring, training and developing others.
• Supervisory or management capability, with the ability to support colleagues and achieve service objectives.
• The confidence and capability to deputise for senior managers when required.

This role operates within a career-graded scheme, providing opportunities for progression based on responsibility, experience, qualifications and performance.

You will also hold a full UK driving licence, have access to a vehicle for business use, and be willing to work occasional evenings or outside normal office hours when required.

Please note, the successful applicant for the above post will be background checked with the Disclosure and Barring Service.

North Hertfordshire is a large rural district with approximately 125,000 residents with four historic towns, Hitchin, Baldock, Royston and Letchworth Garden City.

The Council have four priorities:
Thriving Communities, Accessible Services, Responsible Growth and Sustainability. The Council Plan sets out our key priorities and themes for the next five years.

The North Herts Values define how we as colleagues work with each other, and we strive to be:
Adaptable, Inclusive, Learning, Listening, Together .

We are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in our recruitment practices and in our employment policies .We want our employees to feel safe to express themselves and we encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of talents . We…