At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage health and safety cases, conduct inspections, and ensure compliance with regulations.
- Company: Join Westminster City Council, a dynamic organisation committed to community well-being.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, hybrid working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public health while working in a supportive team environment.
- Qualifications: Must have an Environmental Health degree or NEBOSH Diploma and relevant experience.
- Other info: This is a temporary/contract role with potential for impactful community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Westminster City Council has Tri-Borough working arrangements with Hammersmith and Fulham Council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea for the provision of some services. Under S113 of the Local Government Act 1972 you may be required to act on behalf of one or both of these other boroughs. This may mean that the location of your employment will vary.
Purpose of Job
Manage and organise effective provision of specialist environmental health technical skills and knowledge to maintain and safeguard standards relating to people's health and well-being and to contribute to delivery of the council’s objectives and priorities.
Understand and demonstrate the council’s values and behaviours, working collaboratively with colleagues, partners and other stakeholders to help build a sustainable highly effective organisation and develop our reputation as a successful council delivering great value for its residents.
Key duties and responsibilities of current role
- Deliver a specialist service, carrying out a range of skilled activities in environmental health, to maximise service quality and continuity.
- Maintain, develop and review systems, processes and procedures and manage small projects or contracts to secure a cost effective service and continuous improvement.
- Provide experienced, qualified advice and guidance in environmental health to colleagues and managers to identify risk, support the resolution of issues and informed decision making, and help others to develop their knowledge and expertise.
- Liaise and communicate effectively within the council, and externally as appropriate, to consult on plans and projects, share knowledge or best practice, and help champion the council’s approach to improving services.
- Assist with the monitoring, analysis and management of delegated budgets, funding and resources in accordance with council policies and procedures.
- Support the development of outcome based commissioning models and/or income generation opportunities to help the council receive value for money.
- Understand and comply with relevant legal, regulatory, policy and procedural requirements and standards and escalate/report concerns to management as appropriate.
- Familiarise, uphold and promote the aims of the council’s equality and diversity policies in the course of day-to-day work.
Specific responsibilities
- Develop, implement and enforce environmental health policies, using specialist technical skills and knowledge to maintain and safeguard standards relating to people's health and well-being.
- Carry out routine or unplanned visits and inspections to ensure compliance with legislation and taking action to improve conditions, taking photos, producing drawings, removing samples and conducting interviews as part of the inspection process.
- Investigating complaints from the general public and provide advice and assistance to householders and businesses.
- Giving talks at public enquiries, meetings and exhibitions, as well as ensuring compliance through education, advice and enforcement.
- Taking enforcement action, initiating legal proceedings, preparing and giving evidence in court.
- Promote and ensure integration of environmental health with all other services across the Council and with other partners to deliver a co-ordinated and seamless operation.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Experience
- 2 A levels and 5 GCSE (incl. Maths and English).
- Degree/Diploma in environmental health/relevant qualification.
- Completion of practical training.
- Work experience in environmental health or related field of work.
- Further qualification in environmental health disciplines.
Skills, interests and qualities
- Good spoken and written communication skills.
- Negotiation skills.
- Care and attention to detail.
- The ability to understand and explain legislation, procedures and requirements.
- Good people skills, for dealing with people from all backgrounds.
- A good level of scientific and technical understanding.
- The ability to investigate, analyse and provide solutions to problems.
- Assertiveness and tact.
- The ability to work alone and as part of a team.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a health and safety caseload, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation.
- Conduct reactive visits, investigate accidents under RIDDOR, and review risk assessments.
- Investigate complaints and health & safety concerns, ensuring appropriate action is taken.
- Liaise with businesses, landlords, and stakeholders to promote compliance.
- Provide expert advice and enforcement on a range of health and safety matters.
Requirements
- Environmental Health Degree or NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent qualification).
- Proven experience in health and safety investigations, RIDDOR cases, and handling complaints.
- Strong understanding of local authority health & safety regulations.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a highly skilled and proactive Environmental Health Officer with a strong background in health and safety enforcement within a local authority. The ideal candidate will have experience investigating accidents and complaints, responding to RIDDOR notifications, and ensuring businesses comply with health and safety legislation.
If you have the expertise and experience to make a positive impact in Westminster, we encourage you to apply!
Environmental Health Officer (Band 3) - Mid Rate employer: City of Westminster Council
Contact Detail:
City of Westminster Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Environmental Health Officer (Band 3) - Mid Rate
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Westminster City Council's values and behaviours. During the interview, be prepared to provide specific examples of how you've demonstrated these values in your previous roles, as this will show your alignment with their organisational culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former Environmental Health Officers in local authorities. They can provide insights into the role and the council's expectations, which can help you tailor your approach during interviews and discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on the latest health and safety regulations and best practices. Being knowledgeable about recent changes in legislation will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your commitment to the field during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for practical scenarios that may be presented during the interview process. Think through how you would handle specific health and safety investigations or complaints, as this will showcase your problem-solving skills and expertise in real-world situations.
We think you need these skills to ace Environmental Health Officer (Band 3) - Mid Rate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in environmental health and safety. Emphasise any qualifications, such as your Environmental Health degree or NEBOSH diploma, and detail your experience with RIDDOR investigations and health and safety enforcement.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that specifically addresses the key responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use examples from your past work to demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria, particularly your experience in managing health and safety caseloads and liaising with stakeholders.
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, highlight your communication skills and ability to negotiate effectively. Provide examples of how you've successfully dealt with complaints or conducted inspections, showcasing your attention to detail and problem-solving abilities.
Demonstrate Alignment with Values: Familiarise yourself with Westminster City Council’s values and behaviours. In your application, provide specific examples of how you embody these values in your professional conduct, especially in relation to equality, diversity, and collaboration.
How to prepare for a job interview at City of Westminster Council
✨Know Your Legislation
Familiarise yourself with the relevant health and safety legislation, especially those specific to local authorities. Be prepared to discuss how you have applied this knowledge in past roles, as it will demonstrate your expertise and readiness for the position.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As an Environmental Health Officer, you'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully liaised with businesses or the public to resolve issues or promote compliance, highlighting your negotiation skills.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to discuss specific instances where you've investigated complaints or accidents. Outline your approach to problem-solving, including how you gathered information, analysed situations, and implemented solutions to ensure compliance.
✨Align with Council Values
Research Westminster City Council's values and behaviours. During the interview, provide examples of how your personal values align with theirs, showcasing your commitment to delivering great value for residents and working collaboratively with colleagues.