Environmental Health Officer

5 Star Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency in the UK seeks a Food and Safety Environmental Health Officer. The role involves conducting food hygiene inspections, ensuring compliance with legislations, and maintaining high standards of public health. Candidates should have a professional qualification in Environmental Health and experience in a regulatory environment. This position requires excellent communication skills and the ability to work flexibly across the borough.

Benefits

Talent development programme

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Professional qualification in Environmental Health (e.g., degree or diploma).
• Experience in a regulatory setting, covering food hygiene and safety.
• Outstanding customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct food hygiene inspections and complaint investigations.
• Maintain professional communication with stakeholders.
• Initiate enforcement action as required by legislation.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Knowledge of Food safety and Hygiene

Good working knowledge of current Environmental Health Legislation

Flexible and adaptable team worker

Education

Professional qualification in Environmental Health

Membership of CIEH

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About the role

As a Food and Safety Environmental Health Officer, you will be part of the Food and Safety team, under the general direction of the Principal EHO. In this role, you will be responsible for carrying out Food Hygiene Inspections and contribute to providing an effective, innovative, efficient and responsive service.

Main purpose of the role

• To carry out duties to the highest professional standards, ensuring statutory and legal obligations are delivered and communicated in a customer‑focused manner, optimizing available resources in the service areas of work. Main duties include:
• Programmed routine and reactive food hygiene inspections.
• Complaint investigations across Food Safety.
• Appropriate enforcement in line with the enforcement policy and principles.

Specific duties and responsibilities

• Work to agreed objectives, using initiative to develop, prioritise and review activities; establish work programmes and targets; carry out day‑to‑day activities including inspections and investigations across the service area; monitor progress and keep records; participate in project work as necessary.
• Keep informed in all aspects of the team’s functions, including new legislation, regulations, codes of practice and policy decisions; maintain contact with other teams within the Council, other local authorities, government departments and external agencies as appropriate.
• Keep the PEHO appraised of workload and any constraints affecting performance.
• Act in accordance with current written procedures and assist in their review and development.
• Ensure appropriate records (including those stored in Northgate and other systems) and statistics are properly and accurately maintained.
• Ensure written communication is professional and communicates relevant information and required actions.
• Initiate enforcement action for infringements of relevant legislation where necessary, in accordance with the Enforcement Policy; prepare reports, statements of witnesses, and be prepared for legal proceedings and attendance/evidence in court as required.
• Offer advice and assistance to the general public, other officers and external agencies, as appropriate.

Special Conditions

Access and use of a vehicle for work purposes throughout the borough will be required.

Your conduct and equality

We expect the highest standards of conduct and you must carry out duties with integrity and in accordance with the Code of Conduct for employees. You will be required to declare any potential conflicts of interest. We are committed to equality of opportunity and expect all employees to promote this policy in their work.

Health, safety and data

We are committed to a healthy and safe working environment and expect all employees to implement and promote its policy. You will regard the duty of care owed to personal data and sensitive information, ensuring adherence to the Data Protection Act and the Council’s Information Security Policy and related guidance.

Talent development

We have a talent development programme that includes regular one‑to‑ones, mid‑year reviews, end‑of‑year performance reviews and a strong learning and development programme. You will be expected to participate to perform at the highest level.

Confidentiality

We are committed to maintaining privacy of all staff and customers. All staff are obligated to handle personal information sensitively and professionally and not to access information they are not authorised to have.

Qualifications and Education

• Professional qualification in Environmental Health (e.g., degree or diploma), with certificate of registration from EHORB or Higher Certificate in Food.
• Membership of CIEH (Desirable/Essential as indicated in original).
• Corporate membership of CIEH (Desirable/Essential as indicated in original).
• Additional specialist qualifications relating to or transferable to environmental health.
• Additional specialist qualifications (management education and qualifications).

Experience

• Worked in an Environmental Health Team and gained experience in a regulatory setting, covering food hygiene and safety and/or health and safety.
• Experience in dealing with members of the public, businesses and external organisations delivering excellent customer service.
• Previous experience of prosecutions including preparing witness statements and appearing in court.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Good presentation skills.
• Knowledge of Food safety and Hygiene.
• Good working knowledge of current Environmental Health Legislation with the ability to apply to real life scenarios.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Flexible and adaptable team worker.
• Approachable and friendly manner; calm under pressure and self‑motivated.
• Ability to prioritise work with minimal supervision and a proven record of service delivery.
• Commitment to provide high quality, caring service to all customers, particularly to vulnerable groups.

Special requirements

• Willing to work flexibly including out of office hours and home working as required.
• Access to a vehicle to carry out inspections and visits throughout the Borough.

Notes

Our job descriptions cover as much of the role as we can in writing, but issues will arise, and you should understand that other tasks from time to time may be required in keeping with your role.