At a Glance
- Tasks: Support public health by inspecting food safety and housing conditions.
- Company: Join Herefordshire Council's Environmental Health Team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with clear career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your career.
- Qualifications: GCSEs/A-Levels or degree; strong communication and organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 25989 - 36363 € per year.
We are recruiting two new members of staff for the Environmental Health Team to work in the specialist regulatory service areas of Private Sector Housing or Food Safety. In these roles you will support the council’s public health objectives by providing advice, carrying out inspections, gathering evidence and supporting enforcement actions.
What will you be doing?
- Private Sector Housing – Technical Officer: Deliver private sector housing work, including Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) inspections, complaint investigations, property condition checks, and landlord/tenant advice. Assist with HMO licensing activity, provide advice and enforcement actions on illegal eviction and ASB/nuisance cases, and contribute to health and safety enforcement work such as reactive investigations, workplace inspections, RIDDOR responses and targeted projects.
- Food Safety – Technical Officer: Deliver the commercial food business food safety inspection programme and food hygiene rating scores. Investigate complaints, advise and inspect new food businesses, assist with public health food poisoning investigations, sampling food, and support other public health work such as licensed checks, festival site visits and health and safety assistance in commercial premises.
About You
Enthusiastic, customer‑focused and ready to learn with strong organisational skills to manage competing priorities. Communicates confidently with residents, businesses and colleagues, and can work both independently and as part of a team.
Job Requirements
- Willingness to undertake and successfully complete relevant professional development and any specialist or statutory training required for the post.
- Career grade: entry level requires GCSEs / A‑Levels (or equivalent); for top career grade requires a degree / Level 6 equivalent or substantial professional experience.
- Understanding of enforcement skills guided by legislation, regulation, codes and good practice, preferably within the Environmental Health specialist subject area.
- Ability to travel across Herefordshire.
We Offer
- Career progression: clear pathways with training, mentoring and support.
- Competitive salary within the HC5–HC7 range.
- Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Annual leave: 31 days pro‑rata plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 10 days per annum.
- Flexible working, including potential for job‑sharing, part‑time hours and agile working.
- Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 support and counselling.
- Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements).
- Access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits, including savings, cashback and discounts.
- Pool car available for district work.
Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations
Those who indicate a disability – part of the "Disability Confident" scheme. Armed Forces veterans or reservists – part of the Armed Forces Covenant pledge. Herefordshire care leavers – part of the commitment to support young people leaving care.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Herefordshire Council is committed to strengthening a diverse and inclusive working environment that reflects the communities it serves. All suitable candidates will be considered irrespective of sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, race, religion or belief, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks.
Technical officer x 2 - Food Safety / Housing in Hereford employer: Hoople Group
Herefordshire Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development through clear career progression pathways and comprehensive training opportunities. With competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees can thrive in a meaningful role that directly contributes to public health and community well-being in the picturesque setting of Hereford.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical officer x 2 - Food Safety / Housing in Hereford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company and its values before your interview. Research Herefordshire Council's public health objectives and think about how your skills can contribute to their mission. This will help you stand out as someone who genuinely cares about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since you'll be interacting with residents and businesses, being able to convey your thoughts clearly is key. Try mock interviews with friends or family to build your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare some questions to ask during the interview. This shows you're engaged and interested in the role. Think about what you want to know regarding the team dynamics or specific challenges in the Food Safety or Housing sectors.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it gives you a chance to showcase your enthusiasm for the position right from the start.
We think you need these skills to ace Technical officer x 2 - Food Safety / Housing in Hereford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for the Technical Officer role. Highlight your relevant experience in food safety or housing, and show us how your skills align with our needs. A personal touch goes a long way!
Show Your Enthusiasm:We love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited about the role! Let your passion for public health and environmental safety shine through in your application. Tell us why you want to join our team and make a difference.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We want to understand your qualifications and experiences without having to decipher complex sentences!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly. Plus, it helps us keep track of your application easily.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hoople Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key responsibilities of the Technical Officer role, especially around Food Safety and Private Sector Housing. Familiarise yourself with the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and food hygiene regulations. This will show that you're not just interested in the job, but that you understand what it entails.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves communicating with residents, businesses, and colleagues, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated in past roles or situations, especially when dealing with complaints or inspections. This will demonstrate your customer-focused approach.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life scenarios related to enforcement actions or inspections. Think about how you would handle a complaint about a landlord or a food safety issue. Practising these scenarios can help you respond confidently during the interview.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. You might ask about the team dynamics within the Environmental Health Team or how success is measured in this role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
