Environmental Health Officer

Cairns Regional Council; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Fitness Passport

5 weeks annual leave

3 weeks personal leave

Paid parental leave up to 14 weeks

Learning and development opportunities

Salary sacrifice opportunities

Job summary

Cairns Regional Council is seeking an Environmental Health Officer to safeguard community health by enforcing environmental and public health legislation in Cairns. You will assess premises, investigate complaints and take enforcement actions where needed.

The role involves licensing, inspections, risk investigations and community education, with on-call support and opportunities to grow professionally within local government.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (Environmental Health) or equivalent qualification for full membership of Environmental Health Australia.
• Class C driver’s licence to travel between sites within the Council Region.
• Qld Working with Children Blue Card or eligibility to obtain.
• Knowledge of relevant environmental health acts and council by-laws.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills with internal and external customers.

Responsibilities

• Licensing and compliance monitoring across regulated premises.
• Inspections of food premises, shared facilities, tattoo studios and other businesses.
• Public health risk investigations and enforcement actions as required.
• Environmental protection and nuisance prevention activities.
• Emergency on-call support and incident response.
• Community education and engagement to promote health standards.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Public health awareness

Education

Bachelor of Science (Environmental Health) or equivalent

Job description

Salary Range: $79,898.21 - $100,358.57 per annum

Position Type: Full-Time Permanent

Location: Council Chambers, 119-145 Spence Street, Cairns

Application Close Date: Sunday, 25 October 2026 at 11.30pm AEST

Are you passionate about protecting public health, delivering exceptional service and making a meaningful impact in the Cairns community?

We have an exciting opportunity for a skilled and motivated Environmental Health Officer to join our team!

What You Will Do:

As an Environmental Health Officer, you will play a key role in safeguarding community health and wellbeing by enforcing a wide range of environmental and public health legislation. You will assess businesses and premises, investigate complaints, and take enforcement actions where necessary, all while promoting education and awareness about environmental health standards.

You will be involved in:

• Licensing and compliance monitoring
• Inspections of food premises, shared facility accommodation, tattoo studios, and other regulated businesses
• Public health risk investigations
• Environmental protection and nuisance prevention
• Emergency on-call support
• Community education and engagement

What We Are Looking For:

• Bachelor of Science (Environmental Health) or equivalent tertiary qualifications in an environmental health related field that qualifies for full membership of Environmental Health Australia.
• Class C driver’s licence to travel independently between various sites within the Council Region.
• Qld Working with Children Blue Card or eligibility to obtain.
• Knowledge of the Food Act 2006, Public Health Act 2005, Public Health (Infection Control for Personal Appearance Services) Act 2003, Environmental Protection Act 1994, Council Local Laws and relevant legislation including their relationship to other legislation.
• Communication and negotiation skills to maintain working relationships with a range of internal and external customers.

Whether you are an experienced officer ready to lead complex investigations, or just beginning your journey in local government, we have a place for you.

Some benefits we offer:

• Achieve work / life balance with flexible working arrangements
• Fitness Passport - subsidised health and well-being memberships (gym/swimming pool)
• Recharge with up to 5 weeks annual leave
• Up to 3 weeks personal leave
• Cherish family time with up to 14 weeks paid parental leave
• Grow personally and professionally with learning and development opportunities
• Salary sacrifice opportunities

We are committed to:

• Fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment
• Embracing innovation and continuous improvement
• Cultivating a culture of professional growth and support

Council’s Recruitment Team can be contacted via:

Phone: [phone]

Website: Employment at Council | Cairns Regional Council