Environmental Health Officer

Carrington West; Wealden; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Carrington West is assisting a local authority in East Sussex in recruiting an Environmental Health Officer for an interim period. The role focuses on private sector housing, delivering statutory environmental health services and improving living conditions for residents.

You will manage a varied caseload, conduct inspections and investigations, support licensing and enforcement, and provide expert advice to partners while upholding housing standards and legislation.

Qualifications

• Experience applying housing legislation and enforcement processes.
• Ability to prepare legal documents and support prosecutions.
• Strong communication with residents, landlords and partners.

Responsibilities

• Inspect private sector housing and assess conditions.
• Investigate housing standards complaints and undertake HHSRS assessments.
• Support licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and other licensing activities.
• Prepare statutory notices and manage enforcement actions.
• Contribute to projects such as landlord accreditation and empty properties.
• Gather evidence and represent the council at tribunals or court proceedings.

Skills

Housing legislation

Enforcement procedures

Legal documentation

Communication skills

Job description

A local authority in East Sussex is seeking an experienced Environmental Health Officer to join its Private Sector Housing team on an interim basis. This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified professional to support the delivery of statutory environmental health functions, improve housing conditions and help ensure safe and healthy living environments for residents.

The successful candidate will undertake a varied caseload of private sector housing work, including inspections, investigations, licensing activity, enforcement action and proactive housing improvement initiatives. You will assess housing conditions, respond to complaints, provide professional advice and take appropriate action using relevant legislation where required.

Key responsibilities will include investigating housing standards complaints, undertaking Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) assessments, supporting Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing, preparing statutory notices and managing enforcement processes. You will also contribute to projects such as landlord accreditation, temporary accommodation standards, empty properties and residential building assessments.

You will be experienced in preparing legal documentation, supporting prosecutions and civil penalties, gathering evidence and representing the council at tribunals or court proceedings where required. Strong communication skills are essential, as you will work closely with residents, landlords, internal departments, partner agencies and external stakeholders.

The successful candidate will have a strong knowledge of housing legislation, enforcement procedures and private sector housing standards. You will be confident managing your own caseload, producing accurate records and reports, and providing expert advice to colleagues and partners.