Licensing Enforcement Officer

Norwich City Council; Norwich; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Norwich City Council is seeking an experienced Licensing Enforcement Officer to ensure compliance across taxi/private hire, alcohol licensing, gambling, animal welfare and more.

The role involves investigations, inspections, enforcement actions, reports, and presenting cases at hearings, with regular evening and weekend work required.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in licensing or regulatory enforcement.
• Excellent investigative and evidence-gathering abilities.
• Ability to present cases in hearings or court and communicate clearly.

Responsibilities

• Carry out visits, inspections and examinations of premises and vehicles and take appropriate action.
• Specialist responsibility in at least one subject area including hackney carriage and private hire licensing.
• Provide advice and information to businesses, the public and other team members.
• Enforce the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and related licensing legislation.
• Enforce Licensing Act 2003, Gambling Act 2005 and animal welfare licensing requirements.
• Carry out duties out of normal hours and assist in emergencies when required.
• Prepare and present detailed reports to Panels and attend hearings as required.
• Gather evidence in accordance with PACE and RIPA and draft statements for prosecutions.

Skills

Licensing enforcement

Investigation

Evidence gathering

Communication

Report writing

Education

Three A-levels or equivalent

Driving licence

Tools

PACE/RIPA knowledge

Job description

Are you an experienced enforcement professional with a keen eye for detail and a passion for protecting the public? We're looking for a proactive and confident Licensing Enforcement Officer to help ensure businesses, drivers, operators and licensed premises comply with the law across the city.

From investigating complaints and gathering evidence to carrying out inspections and taking enforcement action, no two days are the same. You'll work across a wide range of licensing regimes including taxis and private hire, alcohol licensing, gambling, animal welfare and more.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience in licensing or regulatory enforcement.
• Strong investigative and evidence-gathering skills.
• Confidence dealing with challenging situations and presenting cases in hearings or court.
• Excellent communication and report-writing abilities.

Important: This is not a standard office-hours role. Regular evening and weekend working is an essential requirement, with out-of-hours inspections, compliance checks and enforcement activity forming a key part of the post. Flexibility is therefore essential.

Join us and play a vital role in keeping our communities safe, fair and well regulated.

Job Description

Carry out visits, inspections, advisory visits, and examinations of premises and / or vehicles, taking appropriate action as authorised by the Council in accordance with procedures laid down.

To take specialist responsibility in at least one subject area to include hackney carriage and private hire licensing.

Maintain up to date knowledge and provide information and advice to businesses, the public and other team members.

Enforcement of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and other legislation pertaining to the licensing of hackney carriage and private hire driver, vehicles and operators.

Enforcement of the Licensing Act 2003 and associated regulations pertaining to the licensing of the sale/supply of alcohol, regulated entertainment and late-night refreshment.

Enforcement of the Gambling Act 2005 and associated regulations pertaining to the licensing of premises used for gambling and for organisations registered as small society lotteries.

Enforcement of legislation pertaining to animal welfare licensing for the licensing of animal boarding establishments, dog breeding establishments, pet shops, zoos, dangerous wild animals, horse riding establishments and exhibition of animals.

Enforcement of legislation pertaining to sex establishments, street collections and house-to-house collections.

Carry out other duties within the Department as and when required.

The post holder will be responsible for carrying out compliance inspections and enforcement of all licensing activities, ensuring compliance with relevant legislative and policy requirements.

The post holder will undertake appropriate action where necessary, including both informal and formal legal proceedings.

The post holder will be required to undertake the associated administrative duties relating to the role.

Responsibilities

To undertake detailed investigations and audits of premises within the City to ensure compliance with relevant licensing legislation.

Where appropriate, determine applications for vehicle licences in accordance with Hackney Carriage & Private Hire licensing conditions.

To carry out detailed investigations into licensing complaints and referrals and other licensing matters and related incidents including emergencies arising within the City.

To analyse and evaluate the results of investigations and inspections and to identify, recommend and instigate appropriate action. Prepare reports, letters, notices etc; maintain records of work undertaken.

To provide advice including legislative interpretation in areas of licensing enforcement.

Undertake or assist in special projects that may arise from time to time.

Design and implement campaigns/initiatives to raise public awareness of licensing related issues e.g. production of Licensing newsletter, coordinating operations with partner agencies regarding the use of unlicensed vehicles (e.g. Police and VOSA) as necessary.

Give advice to licence holders, members of the public and businesses on licensing matters.

Responsibility for ensuring that any information collected, recorded, analysed or reported whilst undertaking the duties of this post is reliable, accurate, timely and in accordance with the principles of the Council's data quality policy.

Represent the City Council on outside bodies as and when required.

To carry out duties out of normal working hours from time to time as necessary and assist in emergencies that may arise.

Carry out other such duties as the Head of Planning and Regulatory Services, or their representative may properly require from time to time.

Prepare and present detailed reports to Panels of the Licensing and Appeals Board and Licensing Sub-Committee as and when required, under the direction of the Licensing Team Leader.

Prepare prosecution files and attend and give evidence at Court and Panel/Sub-Committee hearings as required.

Carry out research into changes in licensing law and consult on changes to licensing policy and licensing conditions with stakeholders as appropriate.

Gather evidence in accordance with PACE and RIPA, prepare statements and where formal prosecution proceedings are required draft witness statements and produce prosecution files.

Skills Required

• Ability to communicate competently and effectively at all levels.
• Effective written and oral communications skills.
• Ability to manage own workload, prioritise tasks and work to performance targets within deadlines.
• Ability to analyse and evaluate the results of investigations and to identify and recommend appropriate action.
• Ability to work to a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to generate legal reports/letters and to collate evidence where necessary.
• Ability to prioritise and manage a wide diversity of duties.
• Ability to effectively guide and support subordinate licensing staff.
• Ability to work as part or a team
• Ability to deal with difficult people in potentially contentious situations

Educational Requirements

• Minimum of 3 A- levels (or equivalent)
• Minimum of three years experience of inspection and enforcement within licensing legislation.
• Accredited Level 3 Award/Diploma for Animal Licensing Inspectors (or working towards)
• Professional Licensing Practitioners Qualification (or working towards)
• Hold a current valid driving licence or can demonstrate the ability to travel as required using own or public transport in the most effective manner.

Why work for us

Our council is full of people who have chosen to work in local government because they want to help others and make a difference to their lives or the environment in which local people live.

To find out more about working and living in Norwich Home | Work in Norwich.

The council has a long and proud history of being a council that is keen to push the boundaries of what a district can achieve, to find out more about what it is like to work in local government visit Working in local government - #LocalGov Careers - Youth Employment UK

We offer our employees a competitive pay and benefits package. Whether you’re looking for a new career, promotion, flexible working opportunity to fit with your home life or a sideways move – we have a variety of challenging employment opportunities for everybody.

Norwich City Council offers the opportunity to work with great people who are passionate about promoting Norwich and the services the council provides. We also offer good career prospects with competitive rates of pay, generous holidays and working arrangements to suit all lifestyles.

Equal Opportunities Policy

The council is committed to a policy of equality opportunity in employment, in recruitment and the services we provide. Applications are considered on the basis of their suitability for the post regardless of sex, gender reassignment, race, ethnic origin, disability, age, marital status, domestic responsibilities, sexual orientation or religious affiliation. People with disabilities are guaranteed an interview provided they are suitably qualified and/or experienced.

Candidates will be considered for shortlisting on the factual information on their application form. Therefore it is important to give as much detail as possible including information about experience gained outside employment.

Benefits

We offer our employees a competitive pay and benefits package and are proud to have the Living Wage accreditation. Whether you’re looking for a new career, promotion, flexible working opportunity to fit with your home life or a sideways move – we have a variety of challenging employment opportunities for everybody.

• All employees are eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Paid holiday entitlement starts at 26 days per annum and increases with length of service to a maximum of 33 days per annum. This is pro rata for part-time employees
• In addition to the statutory public holidays, we grant an additional statutory day leave at Christmas
• Norwich City Council supports its employees through the provision of occupational health and employee assistance support