Private Sector Housing Manager / Environmental Health Officer or Private Sector Housing Officer

Colchester City Council; Colchester; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Colchester City Council seeks a Private Sector Housing Manager and an Environmental Health Officer. These roles are pivotal in driving standards in the private rented sector, ensuring safety and wellbeing for all residents. Candidates should have relevant qualifications, a strong commitment to public health, and team-oriented values.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

Annual Leave entitlement up to 26 days

Flexible working hours

Employee Assistance Programmes

Discounted fitness memberships

Qualifications

• Experience in enforcement work and environmental health practice in a local authority.
• Proactive and solution-focused approach to improving housing conditions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and guide the team’s technical and operational work as the Private Sector Housing Manager.
• Deliver frontline enforcement and housing improvement as a Private Sector Housing Officer.

Skills

Knowledge of housing legislation

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

Relevant professional qualifications

Job description

Join a Leading Private Sector Housing Team

Job Titles:Private Sector Housing ManagerAndEnvironmental Health Officer or Private Sector Housing Officer

Service: Public Protection

Salary Range :Private Sector Housing Manager £45,390 - £50,986 + Market Force Supplement

Environmental Health Officer/Private Sector Housing Officer £38,101 - £42,674 + Market Forces Supplement

Contract status/type: Permanent

Working hours : 37 hours per week

Closing date : Sunday 6th July midnight

Interview date: Week commencing 14th July

Welcome to Colchester – Britain’s First and Newest City.

As the second largest district in Essex, Colchester is a thriving, ambitious, and diverse place to live and work. We’re committed to delivering high-quality, accessible services that improve lives. Housing is central to this goal. We know that the condition of homes is a major determinant of health and wellbeing. That’s why our Private Sector Housing (PSH) team is at the heart of our Public Protection service and driving change, enforcing standards, and supporting residents across our city.

What we offer

We’re proud of our people, our purpose, and our commitment to staff development. Our team offers a supportive, professional environment where your skills are valued and nurtured. We embrace hybrid and flexible working, providing real work/life balance. Benefits include:

• Competitive salary (with Market Forces Supplement to be added)
• Excellent Local Government Pension Scheme choice.
• Annual Leave entitlement up to 26 days a year.
• Additional leave on the 8 public holidays.
• Extra statutory leave for 2 days during the festive season.
• The ability to add up to 4 “flex days” off each month.
• Options to purchase additional days of holiday.
• Our new “Wagestream”, which allows pre-tax saving with attractive interest rates; or can be used to take your salary early if an unexpected personal expense arises.
• 100% payment of one professional membership.
• Mileage and subsistence allowance payments.
• The popular “Vine Extras” discount scheme for retail, goods and services.
• Tax-free cycle schemes.
• Free use of the Council’s own gym.
• Discounted fitness classes and/or swimming pool memberships.
• Reduced cost private health care options.
• Staff incentives for events, museums and exhibitions.
• Diverse learning opportunities, including transferable skills and ways to open up career progression routes using apprenticeships, coaching, mentoring, leadership and management qualifications.
• Employee Assistance Programmes providing confidential support networks.
• A variety of in-house health and wellbeing activities, groups and programmes.

The Roles

We are recruiting to two roles within our highly regarded Private Sector Housing team:

• A Private Sector Housing Manager to lead, shape, and guide the team’s technical and operational work. A Private Sector Housing Officer / Environmental Health Officer to deliver frontline enforcement and housing improvement.

Both roles are key to improving standards in the private rented sector and protecting vulnerable residents.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for driven, collaborative, and motivated professionals who want to make a difference. You’ll be joining a team that thrives on proactive thinking, professional pride, and strong partnership working. We’re looking for proactive, solution-focused professionals with a strong commitment to improving housing conditions and public health.

Whether you're stepping into a leadership role or contributing as a skilled officer, you’ll bring the right balance of technical knowledge, professional integrity, and collaborative spirit. You should have the relevant qualifications and experience for the roles, demonstrating sound knowledge of housing legislation and standards, enforcement work, or wider environmental health practice within a local authority setting. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are a must, with flexible and forward-thinking approaches to change, including a willingness to learn and adapt as legislation and local needs evolve. Above all, you’ll bring the right values: integrity, professionalism, a drive to improve housing outcomes, and a belief in the power of teamwork to achieve lasting impact.

What Are You Waiting For…

To complete an application form for this vacancy, and to find out more about working for Colchester City Council, please visit our website - www.colchester.gov.uk/jobs.

For an informal discussion about this role, please email Anna Watson, Private Sector Housing Manager [e-mail]

Applications will not be accepted after midnight on the closing date.