Environmental Protection / Environmental Health Officer

Buckingham Futures; Exeter; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in South West England is seeking an experienced Environmental Protection Officer to join their Environmental Health team. This role, offered on an initial 3-month contract, involves reviewing planning applications and investigating complaints regarding environmental issues. The ideal candidate will hold a degree in Environmental Health or Science and have experience in regulatory settings. Strong communication skills and the ability to analyze complex data are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in environmental protection in a regulatory setting.
• Strong understanding of relevant technical guidance.
• Highly organised and able to manage a diverse caseload.

Responsibilities

• Review planning applications with focus on environmental health concerns.
• Investigate complaints related to statutory nuisances.
• Assess contaminated land under relevant legislation.

Skills

Environmental legislation knowledge

Planning consultation

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Environmental Health

Degree in Environmental Science

Job description

Buckingham Futures is recruiting on behalf of a local authority in South West England for an experienced Environmental Protection Officer / Environmental Health Officer to join their Environmental Health team. This pivotal role is offered on an initial 3-month contract with a strong likelihood of extension.

You’ll play a key role in shaping sustainable development by supporting planning consultations and leading on environmental protection initiatives, ensuring that environmental risks to public health are effectively assessed, mitigated, and managed.

Key Responsibilities

Planning & Development Control

• Review planning applications with a focus on noise, air quality, land contamination, odour, lighting, and other environmental health concerns.
• Assess technical reports, including environmental impact assessments, noise surveys, and air quality modelling.
• Provide clear, robust recommendations to planning officers, including conditions and mitigation strategies.
• Offer pre-application advice to developers and consultants to promote sustainable planning outcomes.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of environmental planning policies and local plans.

Environmental Protection

• Investigate complaints related to statutory nuisances such as noise, odour, smoke, light, and dust.
• Undertake enforcement actions in line with environmental protection legislation.
• Respond to pollution incidents from both commercial and domestic sources.
• Assess and manage potentially contaminated land under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act.
• Support the implementation of local air quality strategies and monitor key environmental indicators.
• Prepare professional documentation, including reports, notices, and witness statements; attend court or committees when necessary.

Requirements

• Degree in Environmental Health, Environmental Science, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience in planning consultation and environmental protection in a regulatory setting.
• Strong understanding of environmental legislation, planning policy, and relevant technical guidance (e.g., BS4142, IAQM).
• Ability to interpret and analyse complex environmental data and provide practical, actionable recommendations.
• Excellent communication, report writing, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Highly organised, proactive, and able to manage a diverse caseload independently.

If this role aligns with your experience, please contact Yones or Kapil from our team for further details:

Email: [e-mail]

Call: 020 8125 4321