Senior Environmental Protection and Housing Officer

North Hertfordshire District Council; Letchworth; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Flexible working patterns

Job summary

North Hertfordshire Council is seeking a Senior Environmental Protection and Housing Officer to lead investigations, advise residents and businesses, and guide compliance across housing and environmental health.

You will enforce and prepare cases, respond to nuisances and licensing matters, and contribute to healthier, safer communities. The role may require occasional evenings and driving across the district.

Qualifications

• A degree/diploma/MSc in Environmental Health or equivalent.
• In-depth knowledge of Environmental Health across Housing, Environmental Protection and Public Health.
• Experience interpreting and applying legislation, policies and guidance to real-world situations.
• Strong communication skills to explain complex issues clearly to a range of audiences.
• Experience in enforcement work, including inspections, investigations, and case preparation.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience gathering evidence, interviewing (PACE where appropriate), and problem-solving.
• Hold a full UK driving licence and be willing to work occasional evenings or outside normal office hours when required.

Responsibilities

• Investigating statutory nuisances such as noise, smoke, dust and light issues.
• Assessing environmental pollution and air quality concerns contributing to policies for greener communities.
• Assessing and responding to planning and premises licensing applications and attending relevant hearings and meetings.
• Responding to housing disrepair complaints, conducting inspections of HMOs and mobile home sites.
• Delivering home repair grants and energy efficiency initiatives to improve living conditions.

Skills

Degree in Environmental Health

Environmental Health expertise

Legislation interpretation

Communication skills

Enforcement experience

Evidence gathering

Independent and team work

Interviewing (PACE)

Education

Degree in Environmental Health or equivalent

Job description

Senior Environmental Protection and Housing Officer

The Role

Join us in creating a healthier, safer, and more vibrant community. At North Hertfordshire Council, we’re committed to making the district a thriving place to live, work, and prosper. Our Environmental Health Service plays a vital role in protecting residents' well-being, and ensuring homes and communities meet high standards.

As part of our dedicated team, you will lead investigations and regulatory compliance activities within housing and environmental protection. You will provide expert advice to residents and businesses, guiding them towards compliance, and where necessary, preparing cases for formal enforcement and legal proceedings.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Investigating statutory nuisances such as noise, smoke, dust and light issues.
• Assessing environmental pollution and air quality concerns contributing to policies for greener communities.
• Assessing and responding to planning and premises licensing applications and attending relevant hearings and meetings.
• Responding to housing disrepair complaints, conducting inspections of HMOs and mobile home sites.
• Delivering home repair grants and energy efficiency initiatives to improve living conditions.

For further information, please see our job profile.

The Experience You Will Bring

• You will have a degree/diploma/MSc in Environmental Health or equivalent level of experience.
• You will have in-depth knowledge and practical experience of Environmental Health across Housing, Environmental Protection and Public Health.
• Experienced in interpreting and applying legislation, policies and guidance to real-world situations
• You will have strong communication skills, able to explain complex issues clearly to a range of audiences
• You will have experience in enforcement work, including inspections, investigations, and case preparation
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• You will have experience in gathering evidence, interviewing (including PACE where appropriate), and problem-solving.

You will also hold a full UK driving licence, have access to a vehicle for business use, and be willing to work occasional evenings or outside normal office hours when required.

Please note, the successful applicant for the above post will be background checked with the Disclosure and Barring Service.

About Us

North Hertfordshire is a large rural district with approximately 125,000 residents with four historic towns, Hitchin, Baldock, Royston and Letchworth Garden City. The Council have four priorities: Thriving Communities, Accessible Services, Responsible Growth and Sustainability. The Council Plan sets out our key priorities and themes for the next five years. The North Herts Values define how we as colleagues work with each other, and we strive to be: Adaptable, Inclusive, Learning, Listening, Together.

Why work with us?

We are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in our recruitment practices and in our employment policies. We want our employees to feel safe to express themselves and we encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of talents. We are dedicated to promoting a healthy work/life balance, valuing our employees, and enabling them to make a difference to the local community.

At North Herts Council we are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and we guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum requirements for the job.

Please note that all our vacancies require you to live and work in the UK, and selection interviews are face to face in our Letchworth offices or other nearby council sites.

We are changing

North Herts Council (NHC) is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). If you are employed by NHC on 1 April 2028, it is expected that the majority of roles will transfer to the newly-created unitary councils on existing terms and conditions under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings – Protection of Employment) principles.

LGR is one of the biggest changes in local government we will face in a generation. It will reshape how we work and how services are organised and gives us a real opportunity to build something better.

To find out more, visit Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation | North Herts Council

If you would like an informal chat about the post, you can contact Lucy Tucker, Environmental Protection and Housing Manager on 01462 474166

Hybrid working

Flexibility with homeworking and office-based days.

Working pattern

This job is open to flexible working patterns and working hours

Interviews: 16th November 2026

Attached documents

• Senior & Officer EP&H Job Profile - May 2025.pdf