Principal Enforcement Officer - Regulatory Health & Safety Team

Southwark Council; London; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Southwark Council as a Field Officer in our health and safety team. This role involves enforcing health and safety legislation, conducting inspections, and managing investigations within a diverse working environment. Ideal candidates will possess relevant health and safety qualifications and a strong background in regulatory work.

Benefits

Flexible working

Local government pension scheme

Staff parking permit

Family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of health and safety legislation.
• Experience in regulating businesses and conducting inspections.
• Strong understanding of technical and legal aspects of health and safety.

Responsibilities

• Conduct risk-based inspections and promote safety initiatives.
• Investigate complaints and incidents related to health and safety.
• Manage and lead enforcement actions and legal proceedings.

Skills

Communication

Regulation of health and safety

Criminal investigation

Project management

Education

Health and safety qualification

Environmental Health Officer qualification

Job description

Use your investigative skills and knowledge to protect the community in Southwark.

About Southwark:

Southwark is a large, ambitious and progressive council with a ‘can do’ attitude and enviable reputation. As a Council, we are successful, passionate and forward thinking. We are committed to our ‘Fairer Futures for All’ promise, which ensures that our residents and businesses are central to everything we do. The team forms part of the Council's Regulatory Services Division which is based at our corporate headquarters just a few minutes walk from London Bridge Station and excellent transport links.

Benefits and more information:

Please note: This role is designated essential car user and a staff parking permit is provided which allows you to park at various locations across the borough. Appointment to the role is subject to a satisfactory basic DBS check. Recruitment timetable Advert closes: 01 July 2025 Shortlisting: week commencing 02 July 2025 Interviews: week commencing 10 July 2025 For request an informal discussion about the post please contact us via [e-mail] or [e-mail] For an informal chat about this role, please contact Sailesh Chudasama on 020 7525 5818.

In your role, we want you to feel supported, challenged and rewarded. You will benefit from our family-friendly policies including flexible working, home working, and a local government pension scheme, plus many other staff benefits. You will join a motivated, driven and supportive team that strives for excellence and values its members. You will also be part of a successful and high-achieving development team that is making a real difference to the lives of residents in the borough. For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit our Staff Benefits page.

The role

Based in our dedicated regulatory health and safety team, as an active field officer, you will be responsible for the enforcement, advice and guidance on health and safety legislation in the borough which has varied businesses and workplaces including licensed premises. The work includes risk-based inspections, project work promoting the Local Authority (LA)/Health and Safety Executive (HSE) partnership priority areas and local initiatives, reactive work such as investigation of complaints, RIDDORS, legionella investigation, workplace accidents, responding to licensing applications. You will identify contraventions, execute appropriate enforcement activity based on assessed risk, and where necessary, prepare reports and evidence for legal proceedings and giving evidence in court.

About You:

As a senior member of the team, you will hold an appropriate health and safety qualification, ideally an Environmental Health Officer, have a comprehensive knowledge of the technical and legal aspects of the role and possess a wealth of experience regulating health and safety. You will lead on enforcement and compliance activities including related investigations with a willingness and ability to initiate formal action where necessary and be able act as lead officer in one or more specialist areas. Experience of criminal investigation and prosecution work in an intelligence led environment is vital along with the ability to manage a complex caseload. Strong communication skills are important, as you will be expected to represent the Council in a variety of forums. You should also be experienced in partnership working with other regulatory professionals and partners to deliver an effective service. You will have the skills needed to undertake a supervisory role and tasks related to the professional development of other colleagues. A working knowledge of all Environmental Health disciplines is also essential. Additional details Please note: This role is designated essential car user and a staff parking permit is provided which allows you to park at various locations across the borough. Appointment to the role is subject to a satisfactory basic DBS check.

Recruitment timetable

Interview date: 10/07/2025

*Please note, we reserve the right to close applications prior to the closing date indicated above - please apply as soon as possible - we look forward to receiving your application.

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together programme . We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Salary Range (Full time equivalent) £48,618 - £55,710