Housing Environmental Health Officer

North Yorkshire Council; Scarborough; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in Scarborough is seeking an experienced Environmental Health Officer to enhance housing standards in the private sector. Responsibilities include conducting inspections, engaging with stakeholders, and enforcing housing legislation. The ideal candidate holds a relevant degree, possesses strong investigative and communication skills, and has a passion for protecting residents' wellbeing. The position offers a supportive environment and various employee benefits, fostering both professional and personal development.

Benefits

Local government pension scheme with 18.1% employer contribution

Salary sacrifice schemes

Employee discount benefits

Travel loans

Health Assured – confidential support

Qualifications

• Registered Environmental Health Officer by the Environmental Health Registration Board.
• Experience in Housing Environmental Health, managing conflict and complaints.
• Knowledge of current environmental health legislation and court proceedings.

Responsibilities

• Ensure high-quality support and effective interventions to improve housing standards.
• Conduct inspections, investigate complaints, and take enforcement actions.
• Build relationships with stakeholders and deliver excellent customer service.

Skills

Conflict management

Investigative skills

Excellent communication

Education

Degree in Environmental Health (BSc or MSc)

Job description

Our Service

The purpose of our Private Housing Standards Service is to improve housing standards, ensuring all privately rented accommodation is well managed, properly maintained, safe and habitable. This is achieved by providing advice and guidance and where necessary by enforcing relevant legislation to deliver the Councils statutory Housing functions.

The role

As an Environmental Health Officer, you are fundamental to ensuring the successful delivery of the Private Housing Standards Service. The role requires you to provide a proactive, expert, and timely approach to raising housing standards in the private sector. You will provide high-quality support and a full range of effective interventions including advice and education, undertaking inspections of accommodation, investigating complaints and where appropriate take necessary enforcement action to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of our residents.

You will also:

• Work with internal and external stakeholders, building effective relationships with partner organisations, public agencies, and the private sector.
• Carry out a range of interventions including advice and education, inspection/audit of accommodation using a risk-based system (HHSRS) investigating complaints.
• Ensure that residential accommodation is to a safe and decent standard and where necessary take enforcement action.
• Taking the lead in enforcement and regulation, preparing, and serving legal notices in accordance with the Council’s Private Housing Standards Enforcement Policy.
• Assist in maintaining selective/additional licensing areas, mandatory HMO inspections and licensing in accordance with the Housing Act 2004 and associated legislation.
• Deliver an excellent customer focused service.

For more details, please see the attached job description.

What you will bring

You will have a Degree in Environmental Health (BSc or MSc), be a qualified Environmental Health Officer registered by the Environmental Health Registration Board and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.

The successful applicant will also have:

• Experience of working within Housing Environmental Health and of managing conflict and complaints informally and formally.
• Knowledge of current environmental health legislation and practice and of the relationship with other public agencies, knowledge of Police and Criminal Evidence Act and experience of court proceedings.
• A high level of investigative, analytical, and interpretative skills and have the ability to make fast paced decisions based upon evidence presented within an ever-changing environment.
• Excellent communication skills are a must, both written and oral with the ability to problem solve and find pragmatic solutions, and experience of working independently managing conflicts, complaints and a busy caseload.

An understanding of the political context and the ability to operate sensitively and efficiently within a political environment.

Working for us

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of great benefits to help you financially and make life a bit easier.

These include:

• A local government pension scheme with 18.1% employer contribution
• Salary sacrifice schemes
• Employee discount benefits including shopping, supermarkets, gym discounts and more!
• Travel loans
• Health Assured – confidential help and support for your wellbeing

Click on our Total Rewards Brochure at the bottom of this advert to see the full range of benefits.

Contact and Apply

If you are interested in learning more about our opportunity, please contact Steve Reynolds [e-mail] for an informal conversation.

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.