Principal Environmental Health Officer

Borough of Barnet; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Greater London seeks a Housing Enforcement Officer. This role involves technical enforcement services aimed at improving the health, safety, and welfare of residents. The successful candidate will handle licensing investigations and complex enforcement cases, requiring significant experience in housing enforcement and excellent interpersonal skills. The position supports a hybrid working model, emphasizing flexibility and collaboration with other departments.

Benefits

31 days annual leave and bank holidays

Access to Local Government Pension Scheme

Work-life balance options

Lifestyle discounts

Training and development opportunities

Employee well-being programs

Qualifications

• Considerable experience as a Housing Enforcement Officer is required.
• Demonstrable experience of completing HHSRS assessments.
• Excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing are essential.
• Experience in issuing penalty notices and taking prosecutions is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and professional enforcement services.
• Investigate complaints related to HMO licensing.
• Work independently and flexibly on complex enforcement cases.

Skills

Experience in Housing Enforcement

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation skills

Evidence gathering

Knowledge of the Housing Act 2004

Job description

About Barnet Council

Barnet is a borough with much to be proud of. Our excellent schools, vibrant town centers, vast green spaces and diverse communities all help make it a great place to live and work.

As a council we want to build on these strengths as we move into the future. We are growing and developing as an organisation to meet the challenges facing our borough and we are committed to working with partner organisations and residents to make Barnet even better. As an organisation, our staff are committed to Our Values: Learning to Improve, Caring, Inclusive, Collaborative – which drive everything we do.

About Housing Regulatory Services

In Housing Regulatory Services we are committed to helping all residents to live safely in their homes. Staff are empowered to make enforcement decisions and use the full breadth of the legal options available to them to ensure that tenants are safe, landlords informed and actions taken are legally compliant and expedient.

The service covers the full range of housing enforcement related service areas including HMO licensing, Fire Safety in tower blocks and empty properties. We work closely with other departments and agencies to ensure that the most appropriate action is taken and the full breadth of the law considered.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to join Housing Regulatory Services at Barnet Council providing technical, professional enforcement services with the overall aim of protecting and improving the health, safety and welfare of every resident, worker and visitor within the Borough.

The post will be working in the HMO Licensing Team investigating complaints, following up on compliance and taking enforcement action as appropriate. Whilst working in a team, you will be expected to work independently in a hybrid manner ensuring that the most appropriate enforcement actions and decisions are made at all times. You will be required to be flexible, dealing with or supporting other officers on the most complex enforcement cases. As a principal officer you will also take on specific additional relevant specialisms and lead on these for the department.

Please click here to download the Job description for this role.

About you

• We are looking for a candidate who has considerable experience working as a Housing Enforcement Officer.
• You will need to have demonstrable experience of completing HHSRS assessments, and taking enforcement action under the Housing Act 2004 and associated legislation.
• You will be able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills both verbally and in writing, and feel comfortable in working with a wide range of people and organisations to deal with difficult or complex issues.
• As this is an enforcement role you will need to be experienced in obtaining evidence and taking enforcement action including issuing penalty notices and taking prosecutions.

What we offer

• 31 days annual leave, plus public and bank holidays
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, which provides a valuable guaranteed income in your retirement together with security for your dependents
• Work-life balance options may include hybrid working, flexitime, job share, home working, part-time
• A vast range of lifestyle discounts from major retailers, supermarkets, energy suppliers and more
• Broad range of payroll benefits including cycle to work, eye care vouchers, travel and gym membership
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Employee well-being training programs including confidential employee assistance

How to apply

Read the job description and person specification before clicking Apply to commence the online application form. If you would like any further information about the role before applying, please contact Belinda Livesey, Head of Housing Regulatory Services at [e-mail].

Barnet Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Barnet operates stringent safer recruitment procedures, this may include AI Detection Screening, Biometric ID/Right to Work Checks, Qualification and Registration Checks, Up to 6 years of Employment Data and Insights to Accelerate Screening (Konfir), Up to 5 years of Employment History References, DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) Checks, Credit Checks and Social Media, Sanctions and Occupational Health Screening.

To deliver Barnet Council’s commitment to equality of opportunity in the provision of services, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. As such we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Barnet Council embraces all forms of flexible working (including part-time, compressed hours, and hybrid working) and is committed to offering employees a healthy work-life balance. Candidates are encouraged to talk about relevant requirements and preferences at interview. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise not to judge you for asking.

Barnet Council is a Disability Confident Committed Employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

All posts with the council are subject to a probationary period of six months, during which time you will be required to demonstrate to the council satisfaction your suitability for the position in which you will be employed.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.

Please ensure you regularly check the email account (including JUNK MAIL folders) that you use to submit your application, as any further communication regarding your application will be sent electronically. Should you not hear from us within four working weeks of the closing date for this post, then regretfully in this instance, you have not been shortlisted.