Principal Environmental Health Practitioner

London Borough of Merton; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Greater London is seeking qualified Environmental Health Professionals to join their Food and Health and Safety team. You will oversee food hygiene inspections, investigate complaints, and mentor staff. This role emphasizes public health engagement and offers a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and flexible hybrid working arrangements. If you are passionate about improving community health and safety, this is a great opportunity.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

Excellent holiday entitlement

Birthday leave

Essential car user allowance

Qualifications

• Post-qualification experience in food safety and health and safety enforcement.
• Strong communication skills for engaging with communities and businesses.
• Highly motivated with a flexible approach to work.

Responsibilities

• Manage and deliver food hygiene and standards inspections.
• Investigate complaints and accidents using applicable knowledge.
• Mentor and supervise technical staff, sharing expertise.

Skills

Food safety enforcement

Health and safety enforcement

Mentoring and supervision

Education

Environmental Health Professional qualification (EHRB/CIEH Registered)

Job description

Please apply online via the link provided.

Grade / Salary - ME13 - £48,003 - £52,194 per annum

Advert Text

The Regulatory Services Partnership (RSP) hosted by Merton Council is one of the largest Environmental Health Services in London, with the Food and Safety Team responsible for overseeing more than 6,000 food businesses in Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth. The area covered is diverse in nature and includes a variety of high profile and interesting venues, such as Wimbledon Tennis, AFC Wimbledon, Twickenham Rugby, Battersea Power Station, New Covent Garden and Hampton Court Flower Show.

We have an exciting opportunity for talented and enthusiastic qualified professionals to join our team of dedicated Food and Health and Safety officers to deliver the food safety, health and safety and infectious disease function across the RSP boroughs.

As an authorised officer you will manage and deliver food hygiene and standards inspections of all premises type, including approved food premises. You will investigate complaints and accidents, using your knowledge, skills and experience, and applying the necessary behaviours.

You will mentor and supervise technical staff, sharing your knowledge and experience.

You should have a real passion for improving the environment and public health by engaging with our communities and businesses. You will be highly motivated, with a flexible approach and an eagerness to develop existing competencies as well as attaining new skills.

Whilst our administrative base in in London Borough of Merton, we operate hybrid working and provide touchdown points in all boroughs. There will be an opportunity for candidates to express a preference as to their preferred principal location.

You will be willing to work across the RSP though you will have an agreed principal borough.

If you're looking for a chance to make a difference, alongside an excellent benefits package, then this could be the place for you.

You must be a suitably qualified Environmental Health Professional (EHRB or CIEH Registered Environmental Health Practitioner or equivalent) with post-qualification, experience in food safety and health and safety enforcement.

What we offer:

Merton Council offers a competitive salary and membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, including a day off for your birthday, and flexible hybrid working along with essential car user allowance and mileage scheme for officers using their car for work.

Please see our why work for us page on our website for more information about a great range of benefits that go beyond salary and offer flexibility to suit you.

For an informal discussion about these posts please contact Laura Aston (Food and Safety Manager) on 020 8288 5670.

Closing date for all applications is midnight on 26th January 2026

However, please note applications will be reviewed on receipt and candidates may be called in before the closing date if they meet the criteria.