Licensing & Environmental Officer

Wokingham Borough Council; England; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in the UK is seeking a Licensing and Environmental Officer to join their proactive team. This role involves conducting investigations and ensuring compliance with licensing legislation to enhance public safety. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills, legal investigatory practices, and a passion for community service. Benefits include generous annual leave and a local government pension scheme.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

Excellent local government pension scheme

Use of a free onsite gym

Salary sacrifice schemes

Employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Understanding of regulatory impacts on business and individuals.
• Ability to interpret and apply legal guidance and standards.
• Make rational and defensible decisions based on existing policies.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inspections and investigations of licensed premises.
• Participate in multi-agency operations for public safety.
• Provide professional advice on licensing law and council policies.

Skills

Legal investigatory practice

Regulatory knowledge

Analytical skills

Decision-making

UK Driving Licence

Job description

Overview

We have a fantastic opportunity available for a Licensing and Environmental Officer to join our proactive Licensing team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full time, permanent basis. As Licensing and Environmental Officer, you will be responsible for carrying out efficient, effective and consistent resolution of Environmental Health and Licensing case work. This role will need to identify information needed to carry out an investigation and / or prepare an enforcement file, plus completing the actions needed to resolve the case. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to public protection through the effective regulation of licensed activities and environmental enforcement. This is a career graded scheme relating to job responsibility, experience, qualifications and personal performance. Join us in making Wokingham Borough Council a safer, cleaner, and more vibrant place to live and work!

Benefits

• Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it's a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:
• A generous annual leave entitlement of 28-31 days (rising by 5 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays
• An excellent local government pension scheme
• Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)
• Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes
• A range of local & lifestyle discounts
• An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct inspections and investigations of licensed premises, vehicles, and operators; handle complaints, gather evidence, and take enforcement action where necessary, including preparing reports and attending hearings or court proceedings.
• Participate in multi-agency operations with partners such as the police, trading standards, and Home Office Immigration to promote public safety and enforce licensing legislation.
• Provide professional advice and guidance to applicants, licence holders, businesses, and members of the public on licensing law and council policies.
• Regulate and enforce licensing functions including Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles, street trading, gambling, alcohol, animal welfare, petroleum, and other licensable activities to ensure compliance with statutory legislation and Council policies.

Candidate requirements

• Legal investigatory practice and techniques including interviewing, evidence gathering and case-building.
• An understanding of regulatory impacts on business and individuals, critically analysing information and situations to solve problems and make decisions.
• Correctly interpret and apply legal, procedural and technical guidance and standards.
• Make rational and defensible decisions in various situations, having regard to existing policy or procedure.
• Full UK Driving Licence and use of own car

Our Area

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside. We\'re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

If you\'re interested in this exciting opportunity, click the link below and apply today!

Alternatively, for more information, please contact Keiran Hinchliffe, Service Manager - [e-mail]

Closing date: 12th October 2025, 11pm

Interview date: TBC

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Salary range

• £31,537 - £51,357 per year