Principal Enforcement Officer - Regulatory Health & Safety Team

Southwark Council; London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A progressive local authority is seeking a Principal Enforcement Officer to lead health and safety enforcement efforts across Southwark. This role involves conducting inspections, leading on compliance activities, and mentoring other officers. Ideal candidates will have a background in health and safety legislation and experience in enforcement. Benefits include flexible working and a supportive team environment.

Benefits

Flexible working

Home working

Local government pension scheme

Staff parking permit

Qualifications

• Substantial regulatory experience in health and safety enforcement.
• Proven experience in evidence gathering and prosecution work.
• Confidence to lead on complex enforcement activities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct risk-based inspections of businesses across the borough.
• Lead on health and safety enforcement activity.
• Prepare enforcement reports and represent the Council in court.

Skills

Regulatory experience

Criminal investigations

Communication skills

Leadership in enforcement

Education

Recognised qualification in health and safety

Environmental Health Officer registration

Job description

Principal Enforcement Officer - Health & Safety

About the Role

As a Principal Enforcement Officer, you will take a lead role in delivering robust and proportionate enforcement of health and safety legislation across Southwark. You’ll carry out proactive, intelligence-led inspections and investigations, working with autonomy and authority as a senior field officer. Whether you’re managing complex workplace accidents, investigating RIDDORs and legionella risks, or responding to licensing applications, your work will help ensure businesses meet their legal responsibilities and residents are protected.
You will also contribute to the Council’s wider regulatory objectives through project work aligned with Local Authority and HSE priorities, and by leading on specialist areas within the team. Your expertise will shape service delivery and support the professional development of other enforcement officers through mentoring, guidance, and supervision.

Key Responsibilities
• Conduct risk-based inspections of workplaces, licensed premises, and other businesses across the borough.
• Lead on health and safety enforcement activity, ensuring compliance through advice, formal notices, and where appropriate, legal action.
• Investigate workplace accidents, complaints, RIDDORs and public health concerns including legionella.
• Support the LA/HSE partnership priorities and deliver local health and safety initiatives.
• Prepare enforcement reports, gather evidence, and represent the Council in court proceedings.

About You
We’re looking for an accomplished enforcement professional who brings:
• A recognised qualification in health and safety, ideally holding an Environmental Health Officer registration.
• Substantial regulatory experience in health and safety enforcement, with an excellent understanding of legislation, guidance, and best practice.
• Proven experience in criminal investigations, evidence gathering, and prosecution work.
• The confidence and ability to lead on enforcement and compliance activities, including complex or high-risk cases.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills — comfortable representing the Council in court, licensing panels, public meetings and multi-agency forums.

Additional details

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.

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.