At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Food and Safety Team, ensuring high-quality service and innovative practices.
- Company: Join a dynamic council team dedicated to improving community health and safety.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive salary, and a supportive environment for professional growth.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in Coventry while working with passionate professionals.
- Qualifications: Degree in Environmental Health and experience in health and safety legislation required.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 52000 € per year.
Join our energetic and collaborative Food and Safety Team, where your ideas will shine, and your voice will be heard. Make an impact alongside a group of passionate professionals who thrive on teamwork and celebrate success together. Coventry is a great place to enhance your professional skills.
The Food and Safety Team is responsible for administering all requirements under food and health and safety law including inspections, complaint investigations, and accident investigations. We also administer the Safety Advisory Group to support safe events in the city. We pride ourselves on providing a high‑quality, customer‑focused, and cost‑effective service that ensures the Council's vision of working together to improve our city and the lives of those who live, work and study here is realised.
We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias. We are based within the city centre, in the One Friargate office building across the way from Coventry train station. We embrace flexible working practices and empower you to manage your working day and location based on your workload and service area delivery requirements.
Our Values
- Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
- Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
- Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
- Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
- Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
- Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.
What is the job role?
As our Principal Environmental Health Officer, you will work closely with the Food and Safety Manager to oversee the delivery of the Food and Safety service, lead innovation and ensure the quality and performance of the team. You will have the opportunity to shine and make a significant contribution to Coventry's growth and success. You will represent the service at a middle management level, provide expert advice and help shape the future and strategic direction of the team whilst also getting involved in more complex work.
This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for a qualified and experienced Environmental Health Practitioner who has detailed knowledge of the law relating to Environmental Health issues, investigative techniques, and the law of evidence. To apply for this role, you must possess a Degree or Diploma in Environmental Health and be EHRB registered. Recent experience and competency in the enforcement of health and safety, food safety and food standards legislation are essential.
You must also be competent under the provisions of the FLCOP to inspect high‑risk food businesses for food safety and food standards and to use the full range of food safety and food standards enforcement powers open to the profession. In addition, you must be competent to enforce the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and associated Regulations. You must be competent to serve Improvement and Prohibition Notices and have comprehensive experience in complex accident investigations.
Management experience and a management qualification are highly desirable. You will be managing a large and very busy team of officers and will also be expected to undertake and manage your own caseload of more complex matters, so an ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines is key. You will be a forward‑thinking leader who values diversity as a core strength, creating an environment where every voice is heard and respected.
You will need to have a valid driving licence as you will be required to travel to various locations across the city. Within our team people from minority ethnic backgrounds are currently under‑represented across our middle management, as a result we would like to encourage people from minority ethnic backgrounds to apply for this post. This does not prevent any other applicants with a protected characteristic or a non‑protected characteristic from applying.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long‑term health condition
Interview date(s): 27th May 2026
If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package.
Principal Environmental Health Officer employer: Coventry City Council
Join our dynamic Food and Safety Team in Coventry, where your contributions will be valued and your professional growth is a priority. We offer a supportive and inclusive work culture that embraces diversity, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for career advancement, all while making a meaningful impact on the community we serve. With a commitment to high-quality service and innovation, you'll thrive in an environment that encourages collaboration and celebrates success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Environmental Health Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the environmental health field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. Attend local events or webinars related to food safety and health – you never know who might be hiring!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in environmental health and safety legislation. Show that you’re not just knowledgeable but also passionate about making a difference in Coventry's community.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable discussing your experience with food safety inspections and accident investigations, as these will likely come up during your chat with the Food and Safety Team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our dynamic team in Coventry!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Environmental Health Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for environmental health shine through in your application. We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission to improve Coventry and support our diverse communities.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience and qualifications, especially those related to food safety and health legislation. We love seeing how your unique background can contribute to our team!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your cover letter, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure you communicate your skills and experiences effectively without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details and gives you a chance to explore more about us and our values.
How to prepare for a job interview at Coventry City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of environmental health laws and regulations. Familiarise yourself with the specific legislation related to food safety and health and safety at work. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just qualified, but also passionate about the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Environmental Health Officer, you'll be managing a busy team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, focusing on your ability to nurture and develop others. Highlight any innovative approaches you've taken to improve team performance or service delivery.
✨Emphasise Inclusivity
Given the emphasis on diversity and inclusion in the job description, be ready to discuss how you value diverse perspectives. Share experiences where you've fostered an inclusive environment or worked with diverse teams, showing that you align with the organisation's values.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think through potential challenges you might encounter in the role, such as complex investigations or high-risk inspections, and prepare structured responses that demonstrate your analytical thinking and accountability.
