Environmental Health Officer

Post Title:    Environmental Health Officer Grade:        BR11 – BR13 Department:  Environmental Services Division/Section:   Public Protection

Post No:   11283 Reports to:

MAIN PURPOSE:

To undertake housing complaint work, regulation of housing standards and HMO licencing within Divisional policies and programmes and to meet statutory responsibilities. To undertake specific responsibilities regarding the licensing and regulation of Mobile Home Sites. To give advice and assistance to members of the public, trade and commerce in matters related to Environmental services in general. To undertake cross Divisional work as required.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

To investigate all relevant service requests in accordance with divisional procedures and ensure that remedial action is undertaken. To specifically carry out housing inspections and take enforcement action where necessary in accordance with relevant legislation.

To carry out proactive and reactive inspections of properties in the Borough to identify unsatisfactory housing conditions and to prepare and serve statutory notices within delegated responsibilities and attend court where necessary.

Provide advice to members of the public, tenants, landlords, businesses and other relevant groups to assist in compliance with legislation.

To participate in the work involved in formulating and implementing the private sector housing strategy and to take the lead in parts as requested.

To attend relevant meetings inside and outside the Council as the divisional representative with persons from a range of levels.

Foster good relationships with other Officers in the Department, the London Fire Brigade, Housing Associations, Voluntary Agencies, etc, working with the same clients.

Prepare, serve and enforce statutory notices within delegated responsibilities, prepare cases for legal proceedings in consultation with Line Manager and attend court where necessary.

Provide specialist technical support and advice within the Division and to other Council departments as required.

Provide expert EH advice on Planning Applications Consultations.

To maintain accurate records of the activities undertaken to address complaints on the Councils Uniform IDOX document management system / complaints database.

Undertake relevant promotional work and talks to residents and organisations as required.

Maintain a current knowledge of relevant specialisms and to undertake further training as required.

Take part in the training and instruction of trainees in the specialist areas of responsibility.

To help formulate and participate in cross-Divisional work as required.

Any other duties as necessary to maintain the efficiency and effectiveness of the service.

A degree of flexible working including some work out of office hours

CONTACTS AND RELATIONSHIPS (customer focus, both internal and external)

Main customer focus would be for Borough residents and users of the Division’s services, although good contacts would be maintained with other Departments and a range of external organisations.

Provide to customers/clients the specified standard and level of service that is expected, noting and passing on any shortfalls or potential improvements.

Represent the Division in meetings within and outside the Council with persons at a range of levels.

Lead on specific work to support managers and staff in their range of responsibilities.

Working with Government Department’s and other funding bodies in relation to bids and their requirements when implementing specific schemes.

MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP (finance, resources, performance management, staff supervision and service delivery)

Fully and positively participate in the Council’s performance appraisal//performance development scheme in order to develop and enhance personal and service performance.

Train staff and others on the service, needs of the clients and work of the Division and on information and other systems used.

EQUALITIES: Implementation of the Council’s equal opportunities policies and its statutory responsibility with regard to other individuals and service delivery.

Date Name 1.      Date drawn up 2.      Given to Post holder 3.      Confirmed by Line Manager 4.      Evaluated

Post Title:    Environmental Health Officer Grade:        BR11 – BR13 Department:  Environmental Services Division/Section:    Public Protection

Post No:   11283 Reports to:

SKILLS & ABILITIES Good communication and interpersonal skills Able to work with minimum supervision and use initiative. Ability to organise workload Able to work well both within a team and by themselves. Has a flexible approach to work. Can contribute to the development of departmental quality procedures.

KNOWLEDGE

Wide working knowledge of current Environmental Health legislation especially in the area of nuisance and private sector housing. Familiarity with Microsoft Office and Environmental Health database software packages. Good working knowledge of legislation and practices associated with the provision of an environmental health service.

EXPERIENCE Experience of working with relevant legislation, in a related area. Experience of working within a local authority would be an advantage.

QUALIFICATIONS

Relevant qualification in Environmental Health or other related subject.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Full driving licence for car. Flexible work arrangements and prepared to work out of normal office hours. This post is likely to involve frequent face-to-face contact with dissatisfied and potentially aggressive persons and specialist Personal Protective Equipment may be directed to be worn. Training and/or experience in dealing with aggressive people and difficult situations would be preferential.