Principal Environmental Health Officer

King's Lynn & West Norfolk; King's Lynn; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package up to £8,000

Car allowance

LGPS membership

CIEH subscription

CPD support

Job summary

King's Lynn & West Norfolk Council is seeking a Principal Environmental Health Officer to lead the Food Safety and Health and Safety team in King’s Lynn, overseeing a diverse service across urban, rural and coastal areas.

The role offers hybrid working, a salary up to £57,000 per year, a car allowance, generous annual leave and support for professional development, including CIEH and relocation assistance where applicable.

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in Environmental Health required.
• Significant post-qualification experience in UK food safety and health and safety inspection, investigation and enforcement.
• Full driving licence and access to a car required.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex inspections, investigations and audits.
• Provide professional leadership for the Environmental Health team and oversee service delivery.
• Oversee monitoring/validation of fishery products and shellfish exports; act as FCCO or pursue authorisation.
• Guide enforcement actions proportionately and manage competing priorities.
• Support professional development and relocation considerations as needed.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Regulatory enforcement

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Degree or diploma in Environmental Health

Job description

Principal Environmental Health Officer

Starting salary up to circa £57,000 per annum

Based at King’s Court Council Offices, King’s Lynn, with hybrid working

Are you ready to lead a specialist environmental health service where your expertise will make a visible difference? We are looking for an accomplished Environmental Health professional to be the Lead Officer for our Food Safety and Health and Safety team, protecting communities, supporting responsible businesses and shaping high-quality regulatory services across West Norfolk.

Few roles will be able to offer this breadth - across our urban, rural and coastal borough, your remit will include hospitality and tourism, food manufacturing, high-risk premises, fishing vessels, shellfish exports and port health activity. It is an opportunity to apply your technical judgement to complex work while having genuine influence over how the service develops.

Working closely with the Environmental Health Manager, you will provide professional leadership for the team, plan and oversee service delivery and retain a varied technical caseload. You will lead complex inspections, investigations and audits, guide proportionate enforcement action and help colleagues perform at their best. You will also oversee the monitoring and validation of fishery product and shellfish exports and act as a Food Competent Certifying Officer (FCCO), or work towards authorisation with our support.

You may already be working at Principal level, or be an experienced Senior Environmental Health Officer ready to take on broader leadership responsibility. You will hold a degree or diploma in Environmental Health, and significant post-qualification experience of UK food safety and health and safety inspection, investigation and enforcement. Alongside sound professional judgement, you will bring a supportive leadership style, clear communication skills and the ability to manage competing priorities. A full driving licence and access to a car are also required.

In return, you will receive a competitive salary, performance-related pay, an essential user car allowance, generous annual leave and membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme. We will pay your CIEH subscription, support your continuing professional development and, if you are relocating to the area, may provide a relocation package of up to £8,000. You will join an experienced, welcoming team and have the scope to influence a varied and important service.

If you are looking for a role that combines technical challenge, people leadership and the chance to make a lasting impact in a distinctive part of Norfolk, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Appointment is subject to a satisfactory basic Disclosure, through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Closing date: 2 November 2026.