Standards Officer

Final date to receive applications: 5 June 2026

Department: Adults & Community Services

Location: Torbay Council

Compensation: £35,412 - £38,220 / year

We have an exciting opportunity for a successful candidate to join Torbay Council’s Housing Standards and Environmental Protection team as a Housing Officer. You will be working with a team who are dedicated and passionate about protecting the health, safety and welfare of Torbay’s residents. By delivering a full range of Housing interventions, you will contribute to making Torbay a healthy, happy and prosperous place for all.

We have been working hard over the past 12 months to ensure that we are ready for the opportunities provided by the Renters Rights Act 2025. We are confident that you will be joining a team that is fully prepared and looking forward to the challenge.

We are seeking someone with the technical skills to deliver housing inspections and associated interventions with the capacity to embrace the changes to the housing legislative landscape in particular HHSRS2 and the forthcoming phases of the Renters Rights Act 2025.

Torbay is a wonderful place to live and work offering an unrivalled quality of life for individuals and families. The natural environment is a joy to behold and Our People Strategy is in place to make Torbay ‘the best place to work'.

This post meets the requirements for an Enhanced Criminal Record Check. This will show spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions which have not been filtered in line with legislation, plus any information held by local Police that is considered relevant to the role.

• Will work as part of a team (with a partnership approach) as well as on own initiative.
• Demonstrate effective investigatory skills evaluating evidence and seeking and questioning if further information is required.
• Deal with difficult situations in a calm and sympathetic manner, especially in dealing with vulnerable individuals in complex situations.
• Effectively use a range of modes of communication including formal and informal reports and presentations taking into account issues of confidentiality. Will communicate with clarity, tact and purpose in all relevant situations.
• Ability to prioritise, meet deadlines and work effectively under pressure.

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.

• Good knowledge of building construction including an ability to recognise defects and appropriate remedies.
• Working in a multi‑agency environment.
• Knowledge of PC based computer systems, including Excel and Word.
• Knowledge of the Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) codes of practice, the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA) and Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) procedures.
• Effective understanding of environmental legislation including the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act, Environmental Protection Act and ASB legislation.

• Demonstrable experience of inspection and enforcement of standards in domestic premises including the Housing Health and Safety Rating System.
• Demonstrate experience of undertaking an investigation from initial complaint to a successful outcome.
• HHSRS practitioner competency.
• Educated to NVQ level 3 / A level or equivalent.
• Educated to degree level standard or equivalent or demonstrate work‑related experience in appropriate areas.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.