Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure food safety and health standards while supporting local businesses in a vibrant community.
- Company: Join Lewisham Council, a diverse and welcoming employer committed to making a difference.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, flexible working, pension scheme, and staff discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community health and safety in a dynamic London borough.
- Qualifications: Degree in Environmental Health and experience in food controls and health inspections required.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with excellent training and career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 47500 - 49000 £ per year.
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities! We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
Join us in the Food and Safety Team at Lewisham as the Environmental Health Service expands. Lewisham is a thriving, exciting and diverse London borough, with major redevelopment and regeneration taking place. The Food and Safety Team is looking for experienced, highly motivated and enthusiastic Environmental Health Officers who will share in our ambition to deliver an outstanding service to the local community.
These roles involve a wide range of regulatory functions - balancing proportionate and effective enforcement interventions with providing advice and support to our local businesses. You will be managing a complex caseload that includes food hygiene and food standards inspections, reactive and proactive health and safety enforcement, infectious disease controls, complaint investigations, prosecutions, sampling, special treatments premises inspections and project work. You will have your own district to take responsibility for and with the support of your colleagues, have the opportunity to apply the full range of your professional skills and knowledge to drive improved standards of compliance.
Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday allowance
- Local Government Pension scheme
- Flexible working and family friendly policies
- Season ticket and bicycle loans
- A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
- Supportive staff networks
You must be experienced in carrying out official food controls, health and safety inspections, complex investigations, the preparation and service of statutory notices and prosecutions. We particularly welcome applications from candidates with experience in local authority health and safety enforcement and event/sports ground safety enforcement.
You must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail and a real commitment to providing good customer care. We are currently working flexibly from home and the office in a hybrid work pattern, so you will need to be self-motivated, diligent and be able to work well independently. Excellent organisational and time management skills are essential. A full driving licence is required.
The job is primarily based in Laurence House, Catford, London, SE6 4RU but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work from the office for a minimum of 2 days a week.
Candidates for the appointments are required to have a degree (or equivalent) in Environmental Health and meet the competency requirements of the Food Law Code of Practice. Candidates with the Higher Certificate in Food Control who meet the competency requirements of the Food Law Code of Practice may be considered. Please do not apply if you do not meet this requirement.
The recruitment process is anonymous and we don’t accept CVs. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.
For an informal discussion about this job, please contact Siobhán Mangan on 020 8314 3102 or siobhan.mangan@lewisham.gov.uk
Salary: £55,353 - £57,495 per annum (P05). N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.
Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process.
The Council has a dedicated employment support service, Lewisham Works, which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you want to join Lewisham Works, please email JobsAndSkills@lewisham.gov.uk and an advisor will be in touch with you.
The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.
Environmental Health Officer employer: Borough of Lewisham
Contact Detail:
Borough of Lewisham Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Environmental Health Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Lewisham Council and its values. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their vibrant community.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions related to environmental health and safety. We can even help you with mock interviews to boost your confidence and ensure you’re ready to impress.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience! Be prepared to discuss specific cases where you've successfully managed food hygiene inspections or health and safety enforcement. Real-life examples will make your application stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that can keep you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Environmental Health Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start your application, take a good look at the job description. We want to see how your experience aligns with what we're looking for, so make sure you understand the key responsibilities and requirements.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Make sure it directly addresses each of the person specification criteria. We love seeing how your skills and experiences match up with what we need.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that are easy to read. Remember, attention to detail is key in this role!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the process there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Borough of Lewisham
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of food hygiene, health and safety regulations, and the specific duties of an Environmental Health Officer. Familiarise yourself with the Food Law Code of Practice and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role.
✨Show Your Community Spirit
Lewisham values its diverse community, so be prepared to talk about how you can contribute to improving local standards and supporting businesses. Share examples of how you've positively impacted communities in your previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
Since excellent written and verbal communication is key for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. You might be asked to explain complex regulations or how you would handle a complaint, so think through your responses beforehand.
✨Be Organised and Self-Motivated
With a hybrid working model, it's crucial to showcase your organisational skills. Prepare to discuss how you manage your time and workload effectively, especially when handling a complex caseload. Bring examples of how you've successfully worked independently in the past.