Senior Environmental Health Officer

6 - 7 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To lead the delivery of the Healthy Promotion Project (HPP), working in partnership with Public Health to increase the number of food and retail businesses in Hackney implementing healthier choices within their menus and retail settings. The role will engage and support local businesses, schools, colleges, residents and partner organisations to promote healthier food choices, improve food hygiene standards and deliver sustainable improvements in health outcomes.

The post holder will lead project development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, provide specialist environmental health and healthy catering advice, and contribute to the Council's wider public health and obesity prevention objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of the Healthy Promotion Project (HPP) in accordance with agreed service requirements and objectives.
  
• Recruit and engage food businesses and retailers to participate in the HPP, undertaking assessments, audits and coaching visits to support healthier food choices.
  
• Provide specialist technical advice and practical support to businesses on healthy catering, healthy retail practices, nutrition and food hygiene.
  
• Undertake the professional duties of a qualified Environmental Health Officer, including regulatory and enforcement activities as required.
  
• Improve and maintain food hygiene compliance in catering businesses to support their eligibility to participate in the HPP.
  
• Develop, implement and evaluate project initiatives, including piloting new healthy catering and retail approaches.
  
• Develop, implement and promote a local award scheme to recognise businesses achieving key HPP milestones and outcomes.
  
• Develop and deliver training, guidance and technical support on the HPP, healthy food choices and relevant environmental health matters.
  
• Produce promotional materials, marketing plans, guidance and publicity to raise awareness and participation in the project, including maintaining relevant website content.
  
• Organise and facilitate networking events for participating businesses and prospective participants.
  
• Prepare and present accurate reports, briefings and presentations for senior managers and relevant stakeholders.
  
• Maintain accurate and retrievable records of visits, assessments, project activity and outcomes using appropriate electronic systems.
  
• Monitor and evaluate project performance, ensuring the quality, accuracy and integrity of data and using monitoring information to drive continuous improvement.
  
• Produce regular progress and performance reports, including monthly, quarterly, six-monthly and annual reporting.
  
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external partners, businesses, consumer groups and other agencies.
  
• Support knowledge sharing, mentoring, coaching and training of colleagues and provide technical advice on healthy catering and environmental health practice.
  
• Keep up to date with relevant legislation, professional developments, national guidance and emerging public health and environmental health initiatives.
  
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of policies, protocols, procedures, guidance and advice relating to the HPP and environmental health functions.
  
• Manage personal priorities, objectives and deadlines effectively while delivering agreed service outcomes and performance targets.
  
• Promote effective communication and collaborative working across the service and with diverse external audiences.
  
• Identify opportunities for commercial development and external funding to support service and project objectives.
  
• Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with relevant legislation, Council policies, equality requirements, data protection, financial regulations and health and safety standards.
  
• Work flexibly, including evenings, weekends, public holidays and out-of-hours environmental health duties where required by service needs.
  

Requirements

• Appropriate Environmental Health Registration Board-approved academic qualification, such as a Higher Certificate in Food Premises Inspections with Food Standards Endorsement, MSc, BSc (Hons) or Diploma in Environmental Health, or an equivalent relevant legal or technical qualification.
  
• Demonstrable Continuing Professional Development in accordance with the current FSA Food Law Code of Practice competency framework.
  
• Significant experience of working as an Environmental Health Officer, with detailed technical and legal knowledge of relevant environmental health, food safety and health and safety legislation.
  
• Experience of providing comprehensive health promotion advice across a variety of premises and business settings.
  
• Demonstrable experience of successfully managing and delivering projects, including planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
  
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of nutrition, healthy catering and healthy retail practices.
  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical and legal information clearly and in plain language to diverse audiences.
  
• Experience of producing high-quality correspondence, reports, briefings and presentations, including in response to sensitive or complex matters.
  
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with businesses, residents, colleagues, partner organisations and senior stakeholders.
  
• Ability to lead project work, meetings and group discussions and provide appropriate technical advice, support and direction to colleagues.
  
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work independently against agreed objectives.
  
• Experience of obtaining, evaluating, recording and storing information accurately using manual and electronic systems.
  
• Ability and willingness to use relevant IT systems effectively and contribute to improvements in data quality, reporting and business processes.
  
• Ability to work collaboratively and contribute to a proactive, innovative and flexible team environment.
  
• Ability to handle and transport equipment and seized items safely, with assistance where required.
  
• Desirable: Experience of developing and successfully launching commercially orientated projects or initiatives.
  
• Desirable: Registered nutritionist or dietitian status, or recognised qualification and/or substantial experience in nutrition or dietetics.
  
• Desirable: Experience of delivering a similar health promotion scheme or project.
  
• Desirable: Experience of developing and delivering behavioural insights and behaviour change projects.
  

Additional Information

• Location: Within the London Borough of Hackney
• Hours per Week: TBC
• Bi-Weekly Payments