Environmental Health Officer

Job purpose

To undertake a range of Environmental Health duties (specialising as directed) within Private Sector Housing to bring about improvements to housing conditions and to secure a healthy and safe environment. This is achieved through advice, investigation of complaints, education, and enforcement of statutory provisions.

Principal accountabilities

1. To undertake investigations, inspections, monitoring, and appraisals of premises, in response to requests for assistance and applications for the Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation, determine the most satisfactory course of action to be taken in a case, initiate effective and efficient action using appropriate legislation where necessary to resolve the issue.
2. To improve the conditions of premises by undertaking proactive surveys and inspections. This includes taking appropriate legal action, carrying out risk assessments and carrying out other assessments and reports.
3. To be responsible for drafting and serving statutory notices as necessary, served under Section 16 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, allowing local government to gather information regarding property ownership as a prerequisite to taking further enforcement action and to draft and serve other legal notices under other relevant legislation.
4. To arrange, supervise, certify completion, and recommend payment for works in default in accordance with the council's selective tendering procedures.
5. To participate in student and other training as required. To sign and certify student Environmental Health Officer's training logbooks, or equivalent, as part of the degree course practical training requirements.

6. To prepare cases for prosecution or the issue of a civil penalty. To take statements and as necessary to prepare affidavit evidence in appeal cases. To carry out interviews of witnesses and suspects in accordance with legal procedures. To act as an expert witness or to give evidence with respect to legislation relevant to the case at magistrates' court, Crown Court, tribunals, High Court, or Public Enquiries as required.
7. To undertake project work e.g. landlord accreditation scheme, temporary accommodation standards, energy performance certificates, empty properties
8. To keep full and accurate records of work undertaken both manually and with the use of IT systems. To operate all administrative practices and procedures as prescribed by Council Standing Orders. To ensure that the necessary information is recorded so that accurate statistics can be obtained for the necessary statutory and internal returns.
9. To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of relevant legal and technical matters. Those who are members of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health are required to maintain an adequate level of Continuing Professional Development. To provide expert advice information and opinion as needed.
10. To represent the department at meetings with internal and external partners as required. To network with other agencies, departments, or bodies as necessary to ensure that appropriate information is exchanged and to ensure the provision of a quality service to users.
11. To deputise for the Senior Environmental Health Officer (SEHO) when required, including managing the team, delegating work, and attending meetings and contribute to the development and improvement of policies, systems and procedures as required.
12. To carry out assessments for other council departments and outside agencies when required, for example immigration inspections for the Home Office and assessments for the housing allocations department.
13. To examine and comment upon applications for Building Regulations Approval, Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent with regard to Housing Legislation.

Job-related education, qualifications, and knowledge

• Environmental Health Officers are required to have a BSc degree, MSc degree, diploma or current equivalent in Environmental Health. These courses contain a significant amount of certified practical work-based training which need not have been carried out fully by appointment, but we would expect a commitment to complete this.
• A professional commitment to study for Registration with EHORB or any current equivalent, as well as membership of the CIEH.
• Continuing Professional Development post qualification every year, in line with requirements specified by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.
• Competency training in the Housing Health and Safety Rating System
• Knowledge of current Housing Act and related legislation, including, Housing and Planning Act, Environmental Protection Act, Building Act, Public Health Acts, Prevention of Damage by Pest Acts and related circulars, codes, and guidance etc.
• Knowledge of legal processes and evidential requirements of the civil and criminal courts and ability to conduct and report on formal interviews within this context, including knowledge of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, Crown Prosecution Service guidance and related matters.
• Knowledge of technical matters including, a good working knowledge of building design, construction, services and techniques, drainage, pest control, health and safety issues, relevant standards, codes of practice etc.

Experience

• Experience of assessing risks and needs and judging the condition of properties using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. Assessing issues that may be prejudicial to health, statutory nuisances etc. and of deciding the most satisfactory course of action.
• Experience of considering and analysing information from expert reports, including those on fire precautions, electrical, gas and water services and structural stability and condition.
• Experience of assessing the merits of cases and exercising judgement as to whether it is in the public interest to institute legal proceedings.
• Experience of inspecting and reporting in relevant situations including residential premises and their environment and of making practical and logical assessments to find the most reasonable and cost-effective way of dealing with the problems identified.