At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to assess planning applications and improve environmental quality in Cambridge.
- Company: Cambridge City Council is dedicated to enhancing the environment in a historic, fast-growing city.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and discounts at top retailers.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on environmental challenges while developing your skills in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Degree-level education with expertise in Acoustics, Air Quality, or Contaminated Land preferred.
- Other info: Flexible work location with a mix of office and home-based options.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 50000 £ per year.
Senior Technical Officer – Environmental Quality & Growth Team
The Role and About the Person you are looking for:
We are looking for an experienced environmental specialist to help us protect and improve the environment in the beautiful historic City of Cambridge. We are a well-established team with a strong reputation for managing the environmental impacts development in a robust, pragmatic and professional way. Cambridge is a fast-growing city with many environmental challenges as a result of its economic success, and the team are consulted on over a thousand development sites each year.
The main part of this role is to act as an internal consultee to the planning service to assess planning applications and regulate impacts covered by Environmental Health Legislation. These are generally Noise, Air Quality, Contaminated land, Lighting and other amenity considerations. The role also covers proactive project work in support of our strategic and statutory functions to improve and maintain environmental quality relating to land and air quality. The team has supported the City Councils Environmental and Climate Change strategies with projects relating to the electrification of transport and smoke control recently for example.
The postholder will need to be a technical specialist in at least one of the key disciplines (Acoustics, Air Quality or Contaminated Land) or willing to become fully qualified, and we will favour applicants with acoustics experience for this role. Current postholders are all educated to at least degree level with post graduate qualifications in at least one of the key disciplines.
We are looking for a committed individual driven by the challenge of improving our environment and able to back that up with the technical expertise to support our planning colleagues and deliver quality environmental outcomes in a dynamic growing city.
- A variety of learning and development opportunities via a range of sources and methods
- Access to the highly valued Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Additional Voluntary Contribution (Shared AVC) Scheme
- Agile and Flexible working
- Annual leave purchasing scheme
- Annually negotiated pay and award progression
- Confidential advice and support via an Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Family friendly policies
- Flexible Bank Holidays
- Free swimming at CCC swimming pools
- Generous annual leave allowance 25 days’ per annum, rising to 30 days’ after five years continuous service; plus 8 days public holidays (pro rata for part time)
- Gym Membership salary sacrifice scheme
- Home & Electronics salary sacrifice scheme
- Lifestyle Savings with over 750 discounts from the UK’s leading retailers, restaurants, supermarkets, attractions and more
- Professional Membership Fees paid for, dependent on role
- Relocation Assistance may be payable in approved cases
- Staff reward and recognition framework- including annual staff awards ceremony
- Subsidy for public transport
- Your Care dynamic wellbeing platform
Hours: This is a full-time role, for 37 hours per week.
Although the role is advertised as full time, if you believe you have the skills and experience to join us and would like to discuss different working patterns, please do get in touch.
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £40, 476 – £45,718 per annum (City Pay Band 6), pro rata for part time.
Location:This is flexible There is an expectation of office attendance 2 days / week but working in Cambridge on site or at one of our offices or working from home. You will be able to balance your work location accordingly.
More Information:
You can click on the links here to find out more information about Staff Pay and Benefits, Working for the Council, our Values & Behaviours, Equality & Diversity in Recruitment or Our People & Culture Strategy.
If you would like an informal chat, please contact Elizabeth Bruce : elizabeth.bruce@cambridge.gov.uk
Application Process:
To be considered for this role, please visit www.cambridge.gov.uk/careers for ‘Our Vacancies’. You can follow the on-screen instructions to ‘Apply Online’ and submit an application.
If you are an internal candidate you can apply by logging in to your Employee Self-Serve (ESS) and access the ‘Useful Links’ (top right of the dashboard, under the person icon) and click on ‘CCC Job Opportunities’.
Cambridge City Council is an Equal Opportunity employer and embraces diversity, creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Closing date: 28 August 2025
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Senior Technical Officer – Environmental Quality & Growth Team employer: Cambridge City Council
Contact Detail:
Cambridge City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Technical Officer – Environmental Quality & Growth Team
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific environmental challenges facing Cambridge, such as air quality and noise pollution. Understanding these issues will help you demonstrate your knowledge during any discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the environmental sector, particularly those who have experience in local government or similar roles. This can provide you with insights into the role and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on current legislation and best practices related to environmental health. Being well-versed in relevant laws will show your commitment and expertise in the field.
✨Tip Number 4
Consider reaching out to the contact person mentioned in the job description for an informal chat. This can give you a better understanding of the team dynamics and expectations, which can be beneficial during the application process.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Technical Officer – Environmental Quality & Growth Team
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the key responsibilities and required qualifications. Highlight your relevant experience in environmental quality, particularly in areas like acoustics, air quality, or contaminated land.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect the skills and experiences that align with the role. Emphasise any technical expertise you have in the specified disciplines and include examples of past projects or roles that demonstrate your capability.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also expresses your passion for environmental issues and your commitment to improving the environment in Cambridge. Make sure to mention specific projects or initiatives that resonate with the council's goals.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. Ensure that your application is clear, concise, and professional, as this reflects your attention to detail and communication skills.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cambridge City Council
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
As a Senior Technical Officer, it's crucial to demonstrate your knowledge in key disciplines like Acoustics, Air Quality, or Contaminated Land. Be prepared to discuss specific projects or experiences that highlight your technical skills and how they relate to the role.
✨Understand Local Environmental Challenges
Familiarise yourself with the environmental issues facing Cambridge, such as noise pollution and air quality. Showing awareness of these challenges will illustrate your commitment to improving the environment and your ability to contribute effectively to the team.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world situations. Think about past experiences where you successfully managed environmental impacts or collaborated with planning colleagues, and be ready to share these examples.
✨Express Your Passion for Environmental Quality
Convey your enthusiasm for environmental protection and improvement during the interview. Discuss what drives you in this field and how you envision contributing to the City Council's Environmental and Climate Change strategies.