Senior Environmental Health Officer - Imported Food Team

Hillingdon Council; Uxbridge; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in the UK is seeking a Senior Environmental Health Officer to join its Imported Food Team at London Heathrow. This role involves ensuring compliance with food import regulations through examination and advice while collaborating with other professionals. Ideal candidates will possess a Certificate of Registration as an Environmental Health Officer and have a solid background in food law enforcement. Benefits include flexible working hours and a local government pension scheme.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Generous holiday entitlement

Local Government Pension Scheme

Mental health support and counselling

Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in food law enforcement is essential.
• Knowledge of imported food controls is highly desirable.
• Ability to provide expert legislative advice.

Responsibilities

• Examine food consignments for compliance with import controls.
• Provide training and advice to colleagues.
• Develop policies and procedures for best practices.

Skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Regulatory compliance

Education

Certificate of Registration as an Environmental Health Officer

Job description

About the role

The London Borough of Hillingdon is proud to be home to London Heathrow— the UK’s busiest airport for both passenger and cargo movements. Based at the Cargo Terminal, this role plays a vital part in protecting public and animal health through the enforcement of statutory controls on food and feed imports.

We are currently seeking a Senior Environmental Health Officer to join our dedicated Imported Food Team. This is an exciting opportunity to work at one of the most dynamic border control points in the country. You will collaborate with Official Veterinarians, Environmental Health Officers, Food Safety Officers, and Technical Officers to ensure the highest standards are upheld in food and feed importation.

About the Role

As a Senior Environmental Health Officer, you will act as a subject matter expert on existing and emerging legislation relevant to imported food. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Examining a wide range of food consignments to ensure compliance with import controls.

• Providing expert legislative advice and training to colleagues.

• Developing policies and procedures to promote best practice.

• Exercising professional judgement to determine and implement appropriate courses of action.

• Supporting and advising colleagues within the team.

This role is critical in safeguarding the health of the UK at our borders and requires a high level of technical knowledge and attention to detail.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• A Certificate of Registration as an Environmental Health Officer issued by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (previously the Environmental Health Registration Board).

• Experience delivering excellent customer service, including providing advice and information to colleagues, service users, local authorities, and government bodies such as the Food Standards Agency.

• A solid background in food law enforcement.

• Knowledge of imported food controls is highly desirable.

We are looking for someone proactive and confident—ready to hit the ground running and contribute to a high-performing team.

Working Hours & Shifts

During your initial 3-month training period, you will work 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
Following training, you will join a shift team and receive a 14% shift allowance. Shift teams follow a rotating 2-week schedule:

Standard Shift Pattern
Week 1

• Mon–Tue: 08:00 – 19:00

• Wed–Fri: OFF

• Sat: 08:00 – 18:30

• Sun: 08:00 – 18:00

Week 2

• Mon–Tue: OFF

• Wed–Fri: 08:00 – 19:00

• Sat–Sun: OFF

Evening Shift (every third or fourth rotation)
Week 1

• Mon–Tue: 11:30 – 22:30

• Wed–Fri: OFF

• Sat: 12:00 – 22:30

• Sun: 12:30 – 22:30

Week 2

• Mon–Tue: OFF

• Wed–Fri: 11:30 – 22:30

• Sat–Sun: OFF

About us

We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work-life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.

Here’s a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:

• Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
• 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
• Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
• Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
• Cycle to Work – Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
• Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
• Vivup Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.
• Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
• Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
  

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.

The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.

Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.

Recruitment Information

Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a ‘per application’ basis.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject tothe following pre-employment screening:

• Basic DBS Check
• Qualifications Check
• 3 years of Referencing

Please note:Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.