Environmental Health Officer

Sharper Consulting Services Ltd; Tiverton; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

Sharper Consulting Services Ltd is seeking an experienced Environmental Protection Officer to support a local authority for a 10-week assignment. You will take on a live caseload with minimal supervision from day one, handling statutory nuisance cases and related planning/comments on noise and air quality.

Desirable experience includes Private Water Supplies risk assessments and sampling; you may also carry out risk assessments, surveillance, and enforcement preparation as required.

Qualifications

• Solid local authority experience in environmental protection casework.
• Good knowledge of Environmental Protection Act 1990 and nuisance enforcement.
• Ability to manage own caseload with minimal supervision.
• Clear report writing and accurate record keeping in council systems.
• Strong communication skills with residents, businesses and colleagues.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Investigate statutory nuisance complaints under EPA 1990.
• Set up and analyse noise monitoring equipment and evidence.
• Out-of-hours visits to witness nuisances when needed.
• Serve abatement and other legal notices and prepare enforcement files.
• Comment on planning and licensing consultations on noise and air quality.
• Desirable: Private Water Supplies risk assessments and sampling.
• Hybrid working pattern with district visits; some evenings/out-of-hours work.

Skills

Environmental protection experience

Case management

Report writing

Communication with residents and teams

Driving licence

Education

EHO/EHP qualification or equivalent

Job description

A local authority client needs an experienced EHO / Environmental Protection professional to support its team for 10 weeks. You'll pick up a live caseload of EP work straight away. If you have Private Water Supply experience, you'll also help with risk assessments and follow-up. This is a hands‑on role for someone who can work with minimal supervision from day one.

Environmental Protection duties

• Investigating statutory nuisance complaints under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, such as noise, smoke, odour, light, accumulations and insects
• Setting up and analysing noise monitoring equipment and reviewing app recordings, diary sheets and evidence
• Out-of-hours visits to witness nuisances where needed
• Serving abatement notices and other legal notices, and preparing case files for enforcement where it's justified
• Commenting on planning and licensing consultations on noise, air quality, odour and contaminated land
• Dealing with smoke control, domestic burning and bonfire complaints
• Advising residents, businesses and landlords, with informal resolution as the first step

Private Water Supplies duties (desirable)

• Carrying out risk assessments under the Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations 2016 (amended 2018), including site visits to boreholes, springs, wells and distribution systems
• Arranging and taking water samples and interpreting the results
• Following up on failed samples, including advice, investigation and notices where needed
• Keeping records up to date and supporting the council's reporting to the Drinking Water Inspectorate

Essential

• Solid local authority experience in Environmental Protection casework
• Good working knowledge of the EPA 1990, statutory nuisance case law and relevant enforcement procedures
• Confident managing your own caseload and prioritising work
• Clear report writing and accurate record keeping on council case management systems
• Good communication skills with residents, businesses and colleagues
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle

Desirable

• Experience of Private Water Supply risk assessments and sampling
• EHO/EHP qualification, CIEH registration or an equivalent relevant qualification
• Noise qualification, such as the IOA Certificate of Competence in Environmental Noise Measurement
• Experience of preparing cases for prosecution or appeal
• PACE-trained

Working pattern

Hybrid, with regular district visits. Some flexibility is needed for occasional evening or out-of-hours work to witness nuisances