Head of Service: Environmental Health, Waste & Climate Action

Essex County Counci; Maldon; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking local authority as the Head of Service for Environmental Health, Waste & Climate Action. This role offers the chance to make a significant impact on community health and environmental sustainability in the picturesque Maldon District. You will lead a dedicated team, driving innovative strategies and policies that enhance service delivery and promote a healthier environment. With a strong focus on leadership and communication, you will engage with various stakeholders to foster collaboration and effect positive change. Enjoy a rewarding career in a supportive work environment that values professional development and community engagement.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave entitlement

EV salary sacrifice scheme

Flexible working opportunities

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Environmental Health and related fields.
• Registered with the Environmental Health Officers Registration Board.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Environmental Health functions and services.
• Drive the Council's Climate Action Strategy towards Net Zero by 2050.

Skills

Environmental Health

Licensing

Waste Services

Climate Action

Leadership

Communication Skills

Contract Management

Education

Degree in Environmental Health

Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner

Job description

Head of Service: Environmental Health, Waste & Climate Action - Maldon District Council

Maldon District Council

Permanent, Full Time

£58,757 - £65,464 per annum

Location: Maldon

Closing Date: 31st January 2025

To apply for this role, please Complete the application form online. CVs will not be accepted.

Description

This is a fantastic opportunity for a passionate, motivated, and inspiring senior manager to join Maldon District Council’s well-established team in this influential Head of Service role.

Working at Maldon District Council enables you to be part of a unique rural authority that puts residents first, is a great place to work, and delivers good quality services. With a stunning salt marsh coastline, pretty villages and thriving towns, Maldon offers a great place to live and work.

Our success comes from being adaptable, commercially astute, and business-like in our approach. Continuous improvement is also vital, and we challenge ourselves to develop new and innovative ways to improve the services that make a real difference to people’s lives.

The position is offered with excellent terms and conditions of employment including access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, generous annual leave entitlement, an EV salary sacrifice scheme and the opportunity for hybrid and flexible working.

We are looking for an experienced professional in the field of Environmental Health who has a keen understanding of Licensing, Waste Services and Climate Action.

The post holder will need to be self-motivated, a highly personable individual with excellent communication skills and an eye for detail. We expect you to have a clear understanding of current issues and the wider environment as well as a strong commitment to deliver projects and drive forward service delivery.

A passion for the topic area needs to be matched with pragmatism and political acumen to secure the best outcomes amidst a complex and fast-changing landscape. As persuasion and partnership are a key part of this role, you will need to be an effective and personable communicator – capable of bringing others on board and effecting behavioural change.

About this role

As Head of Environmental Health, Waste and Climate Action:

You must have…

1. A degree or equivalent qualification in Environmental Health and ideally be registered with the Environmental Health Officers Registration Board.
2. Have, or be willing to work towards, Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner status.
3. Evidence of significant post-qualification experience in a similar or related role.
4. Experience in writing strategies, policies, and procedures to reflect legislative changes.
5. Knowledge and understanding of the full range of environmental protection functions and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the relevant legislation.
6. Experience of successfully leading, developing, and motivating teams.
7. Experience of working with teams across an organisation providing technical mentoring and support.
8. Experience of contract management and managing service level agreements.
9. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and experience of delivering to a wide range of audiences.

You will be expected to:

1. Demonstrate significant experience and expert professional knowledge of a wide range of Environmental Health functions including Environmental Protection, Housing, Food Safety, Health & Safety, Animal Welfare, Waste Management, Licensing and Climate Action.
2. Demonstrate effective leadership and staff management skills with a good understanding of performance management.
3. Effectively manage service budgets, resources, and performance to deliver priorities, providing regular reporting as required.
4. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the legislation relevant to the service area.
5. Contribute to strategy, performance and quality control, and service and financial planning for specialist area.
6. Contribute to performance appraisals and development for a number of staff.
7. Support the delivery of the Council’s Climate Action Strategy to help the authority achieve Net Zero by 2050.
8. Encourage & transfer knowledge, share best practice, new legislation and associated changes to processes and procedures and have oversight of the end-to-end process or customer journey and related contracts.
9. Ensure that enquiries, complaints, and cases are managed and completed within service targets at the appropriate level.

This is an exceptional opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking local authority based in Maldon, an area which boasts an enviable quality of life and stunning countryside, yet within easy reach of London. We promote a professional work environment with a focus on self-development, innovation, and collaborative working.

If this interests you, we look forward to receiving your application.

In return we offer you an attractive salary package with local government benefits along with the opportunity to work in a beautiful rural district steeped in history and heritage.

For an informal discussion about this position:

For further information about the role, please contact Hannah Wheatley on 01621 732646 or email [e-mail] or download and read the job description.

To apply:

Complete the application form online. CVs will not be accepted.

Please note: All interview notifications will be sent via e-mail. Please ensure you provide an e-mail address so that we can make contact with you.

It is Council policy not to respond to applicants who have not been shortlisted for interview. Therefore should you not hear from us within 3 weeks of the closing date, please assume you have been unsuccessful.

Guidance notes for applicants and further documents are available here.

As part of any recruitment process, the Council collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants. The Council is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations. For more information please see the Council’s Privacy Notice to understand your rights.

Maldon District Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups including children, young people and adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Disclosure and Barring checks will be undertaken according to the responsibilities of the role.

We are an inclusive employer and are committed to equality of opportunity.