Environmental Health Officer

Step Into a Role That Shapes Community Safety – Join Reading Borough Council Are you a qualified Environmental Health Officer ready to make a real impact?

Would you enjoy helping protect public health across a vibrant and diverse urban borough?

Reading Borough Council is looking for a dedicated, knowledgeable, and proactive Environmental Health Officer to join their team onsite at the Civic Offices and support essential food safety work across the town.

As an Environmental Health Officer with Reading Borough Council, you will play a key role in safeguarding the public by conducting food hygiene and food standards inspections across a busy and varied local area. You’ll be carrying out on‑site visits to food premises, supporting businesses to comply with regulations, and taking enforcement action where required. This role is full‑time, onsite, and ideal for someone who is confident in inspections, investigations, and delivering high‑quality service to the community.

• Completing the full range of food hygiene inspections (A–E) and unrated premises
• Conducting food standards inspections, including using the new risk rating model
• Identifying non‑compliance and taking appropriate enforcement action, including service of notices
• Carrying out on‑site assessments across Reading’s diverse food businesses
• Completing professional, accurate, and timely reports and write‑ups
• Addressing health and safety issues identified during routine inspections

• A qualified and competent Environmental Health Officer, able to demonstrate compliance with the Food Law Code of Practice (FLCOP)
• Experience completing the full range of food hygiene and food standards inspections
• Knowledge and experience in enforcement, including serving notices
• Confidence handling food standards assessments within catering environments
• Preferably, familiarity with Arcus / Salesforce inspection systems (desirable but not essential)
• A positive, proactive approach to working independently and on site

• Hourly rate: £55.00 per hour (PAYE), paid weekly one week in arrears
• Location: The Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU
• End date: 10/05/2026 (approx. 10‑week assignment)
• Assignment type: Temporary contract through Reed Talent Solutions, as Reading Borough Council’s trusted recruitment partner

• Standard office hours:
  Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm 7.4 hours per day
• Full‑time onsite role — carrying out inspections across Reading with desk‑time allocated for report completion

• Induction and familiarisation with Reading Borough Council’s systems and the Arcus/Salesforce platform (if required)
• Ongoing support from the Environmental Health team

• Opportunity to make a direct impact on community health and safety
• Work within a busy and diverse local authority environment
• Support from an experienced Environmental Health team
• Central Reading location with modern facilities
• Weekly pay and a competitive hourly rate

Apply now with your most up‑to‑date CV and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and qualifications related to food hygiene and standards inspections.

A member of the Reed team will be in touch to guide you through the next steps, including:

• A telephone pre-screen with Reed
• Interview/selection with Reading Borough Council
• Pre‑employment checks prior to your start date