Environmental Health Officer

Stoke-on-Trent City Council,

Directorate
:
Housing, Regeneration and Operations

Section
:
Private Sector Housing Team

Location
:
Civic Centre

Hours
: 37 hours per week

Grade
:
Level 11

Salary
:
This post is graded at Level 11 plus a Market Supplement equating to a total salary of £48,591. This market supplement is a temporary addition until 31/07/2029.

This advert is open to both internal and external applicants.

About us:

We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. Working for Stoke-on Trent City Council is more than just a job, it's about making, protecting and improving the services for the local population, reducing inequalities and improving independence for the people who live and work in the city. And that's where you come in. We are always looking for people of the highest calibre with skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver our compelling vision.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council's diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset and most valuable resource. The skills, knowledge and experience of our c.4,600 employees are essential to delivering our ambitions and vision for our organisation and Stoke-on-Trent. We want to be an employer that people are proud to work for, and where our staff are supported, developed and rewarded in an inclusive way that helps them to excel and to deliver the high-quality services that our residents need.

Further information on the Council and our directorates

The Role:

Are you an enthusiastic and motivated Environmental Health Officer looking to make a real difference?

Join our expanding and evolving Private Sector Housing Team and play a key role in improving housing standards and protecting some of the City's most vulnerable residents. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a busy and varied regulatory environment where no two days are the same. From inspecting homes and assessing hazards using HHSRS, to tackling poor housing conditions, disrepair and illegal landlord practices, this role offers genuine variety and professional challenge.

The role sits within the Private Sector Housing Team and involves undertaking property inspections, application of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), enforcement activity, and implementation of the Renters' Rights framework.

Applicants must hold a UK-recognised Degree in Environmental Health or an overseas Environmental Health qualification that has been assessed and recognised through the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) equivalency process.

Only applicants who meet the above qualification requirements will be considered. Applicants who do not meet these requirements need not apply and will not be considered.

We're looking for someone who is confident in delivering housing enforcement and has experience of:

• Undertaking HHSRS inspections and hazard assessments.
• Investigating housing complaints and disrepair.
• Serving statutory notices and progressing enforcement action.
• Preparing cases for civil penalties, tribunals and prosecutions.
• Working with landlords, tenants and partner agencies to improve housing standards.
• Managing a varied caseload and making sound regulatory decisions.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys enforcement work and wants to be part of a service that is adapting to significant legislative change, including new responsibilities under the Renters' Rights framework.

In return, you'll join a supportive team committed to professional development, flexible working and delivering positive outcomes for residents across the City. You'll have the opportunity to work on a diverse rangeof housing issues, develop your enforcement expertise and help shape the future direction of the service.

Key Responsibilities:

• Undertake inspections of residential properties and assess hazards using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
• Investigate complaints relating to housing conditions, disrepair and poor property management within the private rented sector
• Take appropriate informal and formal enforcement action, including the preparation and service of statutory notices
• Build and manage enforcement case files, gathering evidence and progressing investigations in accordance with legal and evidential requirements
• Prepare and support cases for civil penalties, tribunals and prosecutions where necessary
• Work with landlords, tenants and partner agencies to improve housing standards and protect vulnerable residents

About You
:

• Hold a recognised qualification in Environmental Health and be competent in housing enforcement and regulatory work
• Have experience of undertaking residential property inspections and applying the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
• Possess good working knowledge of housing legislation, including the Housing Act 2004 and associated regulations
• Have experience of investigating complaints, gathering evidence and taking appropriate enforcement action, including serving statutory notices
• Be able to manage a varied caseload, prioritise workloads and make sound…