Technical Officer (Food & Safety)

South Norfolk and Broadlands Council; Norwich; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

South Norfolk and Broadland Councils are seeking a Technical Officer to join the Food & Safety Team. You will build regulatory compliance and safeguard public health while supporting business needs.

Working alongside Environmental Health Officers, you will inspect businesses, provide guidance, investigate complaints and help deliver official controls to improve outcomes for communities. This role offers opportunities to develop technical skills within a supportive, collaborative council

Qualifications

• Qualification to satisfy Food Law Code of Practice requirements (e.g. EHRB/CIEH) or equivalent.
• Experience in food safety/regulatory environment.
• Knowledge of food hygiene legislation and safety management principles.
• Strong communication and engagement with businesses and the public.
• Good organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Practical, solutions-focused approach with sound professional judgement.

Responsibilities

• Carry out food hygiene inspections of allocated food businesses.
• Provide practical advice and guidance to food operators to support compliance.
• Investigate food complaints, service requests and incidents.
• Undertake revisits, follow-up interventions and verification of compliance.
• Prepare reports, records and evidence in line with regulatory requirements.
• Deliver routine warnings, notices and proportionate enforcement actions.
• Support sampling programmes and food safety initiatives.
• Collaborate with Environmental Health Officers on complex investigations.
• Contribute to improving food hygiene standards and confidence in local businesses.

Skills

Food safety knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Judgement

Education

Higher Certificate in Food Control

Job description

Are you passionate about protecting public health, supporting businesses and making a real difference in the local community? We are looking for a motivated and capable Technical Officer to join our ambitious Food & Safety Team.

What you could be part of…

This exciting new role provides an exciting career opportunity for individuals who have developed technical competence in food safety and regulatory services. Working alongside experienced Environmental Health Officers, you will help safeguard consumers, support business compliance and contribute to the delivery of high-quality regulatory services across South Norfolk and Broadland.

Our councils are committed to protecting the public whilst helping businesses thrive. We regulate almost 2,100 food businesses across two district council areas and are recognised for delivering customer-focused, innovative and commercially-aware services.

The Food & Safety Team undertakes a wide range of regulatory activities including food hygiene inspections, investigation of food complaints, infectious disease control, workplace health and safety interventions, utilising a graduated approach from providing business advice through to taking proportionate enforcement action, when necessary.

As a Technical Officer, you will play an important role in helping the team deliver its food safety inspection programme and 'official controls' to improve outcomes for businesses and consumers alike.

What You'll Be Doing…

• Carrying out food hygiene inspections of allocated food businesses in accordance with authorised officer competencies.
• Providing practical advice and guidance to food business operators to support compliance and business improvement.
• Investigating food complaints, service requests and other food-related incidents.
• Undertaking revisits, follow-up interventions and verification of compliance.
• Preparing reports, records and evidence in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Delivering routine warnings, notices and other proportionate enforcement actions within delegated authority.
• Supporting sampling programmes, promotional projects and food safety initiatives.
• Working closely with Environmental Health Officers on more complex investigations and regulatory interventions.
• Helping to improve food hygiene standards and maintain confidence in local businesses.

You Must Have…

• A suitable qualification to satisfy the Food Law Code of Practice requirements e.g. Higher Certificate in Food Control awarded by the Environmental Health Registration Board (EHRB) or the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), or equivalent.
• Experience of working in a food safety, regulatory, compliance, auditing or enforcement environment.
• Knowledge of food hygiene legislation and food safety management principles.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to engage constructively with businesses and members of the public.
• Good organisational skills and an ability to manage competing priorities.
• A practical, solutions-focused approach combined with sound professional judgement.

Why This Role Is Different…

This newly created post bridges the gap between our Assistant Food & Safety Officer and Environmental Health Officer roles, providing an excellent opportunity for an experienced technical practitioner to utilise their regulatory competencies whilst making a significant contribution to service delivery.

If you enjoy working independently within a well-developed supportive team environment whilst engaging with businesses and helping to keep communities safe, we'd love to hear from you.

Closing Date: Sunday 08 November 2026 at 11.45pm

Interview Date: w/c 16 November 2026

Why Join Us?

We offer flexible working hours for most office-based roles, allowing for a healthy work-life balance. As part of our team, you will enjoy a range of employee benefits, including free onsite parking, employee discounts, a competitive holiday allowance, wellbeing initiatives, and the opportunity to join the Local Government Pension Scheme.

You will be joining a progressive and supportive organisation that is committed to making a positive impact on the communities we serve.

The Councils reserve the right to close any and all vacancies at any time if there is judged to be a sufficient number of applications received.

South Norfolk and Broadland Councils are committed to promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and all applicants must be willing to undergo appropriate checks for the position, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.