Senior Environmental Health Officer (Food/Health and Safety) in Braintree

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Environmental Health department at Braintree District Council. You will be working in our Food and Health & Safety team, taking on a wide range of duties including food hygiene and health & safety inspections, sampling and investigation work including accidents, health and safety / food complaints, infectious disease, food borne disease as well as special treatment registrations. You will also respond to planning and licensing consultations and will advise, educate, and take appropriate enforcement action where required.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated team player with excellent written and verbal communication skills. Whilst working in a team, you will be expected to work independently with minimal supervision. You must be flexible with your working hours as some out of hours inspections / visits will be required.

To be considered you must:

• Hold an accredited BSc / MSc in Environmental Health (or equivalent), or a Higher Certificate in Food control, or Advanced Professional Certificate in Food Hygiene and Standards Control
• Have full Registration with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Registration Board
• Have recent practical experience working in food safety enforcement
• Be able to demonstrate competency to deliver the full range of official controls as set out in the FSA Food Law Code of Practice
• Hold a full driving licence and have use of a vehicle to undertake inspection and investigation visits.

It is desirable that you also:

• Have health and safety regulatory experience
• Hold the NEBOSH diploma
• Have experience of obtaining evidence and using the full range of interventions to secure compliance

We will also consider graduates holding one of the above-named qualifications who are in the process of becoming food competent.

If you would like an informal chat about this post, please contact Lisa Le Besque (Tuesday to Friday) on 01376 312391.

For more information, please see the Job Profile. To apply, click Apply online below.

Why choose Braintree District Council? Braintree is an ambitious and dynamic Council and is becoming one of the fastest growing Districts in the East of England with three growing towns, London just 45 minutes away and the District located directly between the international transport centres of Stansted Airport and Harwich and Felixstowe International Ports. We have a deserved track record for delivering and a strong reputation within the business community. Braintree District Council is a great place to work. We pride ourselves on our creative and innovative approach, which is led by our employees, and are committed to having an engaged workforce who understand our strategy and how they can help deliver it. Our people see the difference they make and how the work they do actively contributes to and encourages positive change in the local community.

We also offer some great benefits, including:

• Flexible working
• Local government pension scheme
• Learning and development for all employees
• Employee discounts at local businesses
• Employee recognition schemes
• Extensive health and wellbeing programmes, including discounted gym membership

Every day, our work shapes the place people call home – at your local council, your skills will help build safer neighbourhoods, stronger communities and better futures. From Planning and IT to Finance and Operations, and with more routes in than ever, choose from hundreds of roles to find out what works for you. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for a change, find your own path to a life-changing career.

Closing date for receipt of applications: Midnight on Wednesday 27th May 2026. Interviews will take place on Tuesday 2nd June 2026.