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- Tasks: Conduct food safety inspections and support community health initiatives.
- Company: Join Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, dedicated to community wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, competitive pension, and flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public health while developing your career.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 4 in Food Safety or equivalent experience required.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with great learning opportunities and a supportive team.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
Address: Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX
Hours: Part Time, 22.2 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Join our team. We are looking for a Food and Safety Technical Officer to join our Food and Safety Team. If you share our values and you are motivated to make a difference for our residents, clients, and communities, we would love to hear from you.
About The Role
You will carry out and be responsible for a range of technical and administrative duties in support of the Food and Safety regulatory service, both in and out of the office. Your duties will include:
- Collecting samples and information from premises and households.
- Assisting with food poisoning and private water supply investigations.
- Carrying out healthier catering award assessments of retail food businesses.
- Carrying out audit assessments of low-risk food businesses.
- Carrying out caravan licence inspections and issuing licences.
- Maintaining and updating computer-based and paper records including complex spreadsheets and producing reports from the data.
- Processing requisitions, invoices and payments for supplies and services.
- Maintaining equipment, stocks of consumables and working out low-cost ways of replacing consumables for ongoing projects.
You will need to have a clean driving licence and access to a car to enable occasional travel for work purposes.
About You
We are looking for an experienced Food and Safety Officer with relevant qualifications at NVQ Level 4 or equivalent knowledge gained through experience in a similar role. You will need to demonstrate good knowledge and understanding of Food and Safety regulations as well as a working understanding of local government. You will have had experience of liaising with external government agencies and customers in a service industry. You will also:
- Be able to analyse and interpret varied information or situations and to solve problems.
- Have experience of auditing, investigation and enforcement.
- Use persuasive, negotiating and training skills aimed at seeking agreement/compromise or developing understanding of legal and technical guidance.
- Have the ability to ask questions, seek clarification and exchange information using tact and diplomacy with a range of different people and groups.
- Have good administration skills including a knowledge of Assure and M3 software.
- Have working knowledge of environmental health services and some experience in this field.
- Be skilled in dealing with members of the public and commercial operators, often in stressful and difficult situations.
- Have good communication skills.
- Have previous experience working in a customer orientated service.
About Us
At Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils we are passionate about building communities that people want to live, work, visit and invest in. We serve around 200,000 residents across our two districts and are well known for our collaboration and partnership working across public, private and voluntary sectors. We believe that the heart of Suffolk is an incredibly special place to live and work, with:
- 60 conservation areas
- Two National Landscapes
- Many picturesque market towns
It is no surprise we are ranked among the top 50 places to live in the UK.
Benefits
- Generous leave entitlement (26 days a year, rising to 31 days after 5 years).
- Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Wellbeing Support and Employee Assistance Programs.
- Private Health Care Options.
- Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
- Paid volunteering days.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (Business needs permitting).
- Great learning and development opportunities.
For more information
For an informal discussion, please contact Sally Haggerstone, Food and Safety Manager, by either calling 07545 500826 or emailing sally.haggerstone@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk. Please read the Job Description and Person Specification before applying for this job opportunity. Closing date: 5pm, 20 February 2026.
How To Apply
Please ensure your application form is fully completed, including employment and education history. Your supporting statement should clearly address how you meet the criteria in the Person Specification.
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.
About The Team
Step 1 - read the advert and the Job Description and Person Specification. Step 2 - complete the Supporting Statement template. Step 3 - complete the online application and upload your statement. Your statement needs to indicate how you meet the criteria in the ‘Person specification’ section of the Job Description and Person Specification. Your statement should:
- Be no more than 2 sides of A4.
- Use the template provided (other formats will not be accepted).
- Be uploaded on your online application, as without this, your interest will not be progressed.
Food and Safety Technical Officer in Ipswich employer: Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
Contact Detail:
Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Food and Safety Technical Officer in Ipswich
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, their values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events related to food safety. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to food safety regulations and your experience. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your skills effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit!
We think you need these skills to ace Food and Safety Technical Officer in Ipswich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Thoroughly: Before you start writing, take a good look at the job description and person specification. This will help us understand what the role entails and what skills we need to highlight in our application.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure your supporting statement is tailored to the criteria listed in the person specification. We want to see how your experience aligns with what they're looking for, so be specific and give examples!
Stick to the Format: Use the provided template for your supporting statement and keep it to no more than 2 sides of A4. We won’t be able to accept other formats, so let’s make sure we follow the rules to avoid any hiccups.
Apply Through Our Website: Once you’ve got everything ready, head over to our website to submit your application. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right place and is considered properly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Food and Safety regulations. Familiarise yourself with local government practices and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role. This will show that you're not just interested in the job, but that you understand its importance.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your auditing, investigation, and enforcement skills. Think about specific situations where you've had to use persuasive communication or problem-solving skills, especially in stressful scenarios. This will help demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the role.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions that require you to analyse and interpret information. You might be asked how you would approach a food poisoning investigation or how to maintain records effectively. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or how the council measures success in the Food and Safety Team. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
