Environmental Health Officer - Fixed Term

Folkestone & Hythe District Council; Folkestone; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization is seeking an experienced Environmental Health Officer to enforce public health legislation and deliver statutory services. The role involves inspections, investigations, and providing expert advice. Candidates must have a relevant degree and experience in local authority work. This position offers flexible working, generous leave, and access to a pension scheme.

Benefits

Flexible Working

Generous Leave

Pension Scheme

Family-Friendly Initiatives

Health & Wellbeing support

Reimbursement of professional membership subscriptions

Qualifications

• 5 years of demonstrable local authority district experience required.
• Experience in food safety and public health regulatory work.
• Ability to undertake formal enforcement action and experienced in court.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inspections across food safety and health safety.
• Investigate notifiable diseases in partnership with health agencies.
• Provide expert advice on compliance and best practices.

Skills

Strong communication

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Education

BSc (Hons) or MSc Environmental Health

Registration with EHRB

Tools

NEBOSH or IOSH Health and Safety qualification

Job description

Overview

Employer: Folkestone & Hythe District Council | Salary: £43,438 - £49,655 (Grade G) | Location: Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, Kent CT20 2QY | Contract: 2 Year Fixed-Term post | Working Pattern: Flexible Hours/Full Time | Hours: 37 hours per week | DBS Check: Yes

Are you passionate about protecting public health? We are seeking an experienced and dedicated Environmental Health Officer to join our Food Safety and Health & Safety Team. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact in your community by delivering statutory services and enforcing public health legislation.

About The Role

• As an experienced Environmental Health Officer, you will:


• Deliver statutory functions in food safety, health and safety in the workplace, public health, zoo licensing, plus tattooing and skin piercing.


• Investigate notifiable diseases and work in partnership with the UK Health Security Agency.


• Provide expert advice to businesses and council departments on compliance and best practice.


• Take enforcement action where necessary, including preparing prosecution files and attending court.


• Lead policy development and contribute to statutory plans in your areas of expertise.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct inspections and investigations across food safety, workplace health and safety, tattooing, skin piercing and zoo licensing.


• Respond to complaints and RIDDOR notifications.


• Taking formal enforcement action where appropriate including preparing prosecution files and representing the local authority in court.


• Advise businesses and stakeholders on statutory obligations and best practices.


• Maintain professional standards and support training initiatives within the team.


• Prepare reports and attend meetings with internal and external stakeholders.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a dynamic and experienced professional with 5 years demonstrable local authority district experience, that has the following:

Essential

• BSc (Hons) or MSc Environmental Health or Higher Certificate in Food Control (or equivalent).


• Registration with the Environmental Health Registration Board (EHRB) and/or Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.


• Demonstrable local authority experience in food safety, health and safety, and public health regulatory work including undertaking formal enforcement action and court experience.


• Strong communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills.

Desirable

• NEBOSH or IOSH Health and Safety qualification.


• Training in, Approved Premises, Lead Auditor, Zoo Licensing or Imported Food.

Why Join Us / Benefits

• Flexible Working: Embrace a culture that supports agile and hybrid working arrangements.


• Generous Leave: Up to 31 days of holiday plus bank holidays, a flexi-time scheme, birthday leave, and Christmas office closure.


• Pension Scheme: Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.


• Family-Friendly Initiatives: Range of family-friendly policies and support.


• Health & Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing initiatives.


• Additional Perks: Reimbursement of professional membership subscriptions, salary sacrifice schemes, corporate membership discounts, and free office parking.

This role will require travelling throughout the district and visiting premises in the evenings and weekends. We have a hybrid working approach with an expectation that you will work from the Civic Centre in Folkestone at least one day per week.

For an informal discussion about this role please contact Nicola Wilson (Environmental Health & Licensing Manager) on 01303 853262 or email. The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 23:59 on 21st October 2025. Previous applications received within the last 6 months need not re-apply. Interviews are due to be held w/c 03 November 2025.

How To Apply

Please apply online via the link provided below. Please note that we do not accept CVs without a fully completed application form.

Further information on this vacancy

• Environmental Health Officer - Role Profile

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