Environmental Health Officer (environmental protection)

Role & Purpose of Job:

To work within a specialist professional team involved in discharging the City Council's statutory functions and commitments related to Environmental Protection, including regulating industrial processes (under LAPC), monitoring and improving air quality, assessing and remediating contaminated land, preventing statutory nuisances, and commenting on planning and licensing applications. This post specifically deals with incidents of statutory nuisance, providing reactive services to the public and responding to referrals from the Anti-social Behaviour Team. The role involves delivering highly interactive, client-focused responses to service requests, aiming for dispute resolution. It requires handling emotive and sensitive issues related to individual behaviours and management of activities, property, or business. Managing these situations can be challenging, especially when service requests come from residents near the nuisance source. The officer will provide technical advice on statutory nuisances as needed.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Decision-making is integral to these responsibilities.
• Customer Focus
• Proactively inspect neighbourhoods to identify nuisance problems and determine resolution strategies.
• Coordinate and lead meetings with internal departments (Social Services, Anti-Social Behaviour, Housing, Legal Services), external agencies (Police, Fire Brigade, Mental Health teams), private companies, and individuals, including landlords, especially concerning issues like filthy/vicious premises or noise nuisance. Contribute to victim support discussions and legislative breach resolutions.
• Conduct mental capacity assessments per the Mental Capacity Act 2005 to ensure occupiers understand implications before formal or informal actions. Identify vulnerabilities and safeguarding issues during investigations.
• Work with individuals displaying challenging behaviours, managing situations calmly and assertively, and negotiating informal solutions to avoid enforcement where possible.
• Performance Management
• Train and support junior staff and colleagues, contribute to their professional development.
• Maintain accurate records and data using manual and electronic systems to support enforcement, reporting, and performance targets.
• Supervise contractors executing works to comply with legal notices, ensuring safety, timeliness, and adherence to specifications.
• Work within a performance framework, collaborating with team members, representing the service at meetings, and providing timely, effective solutions to clients.
• Manage investigations and caseloads effectively, prioritising conflicting demands and meeting statutory deadlines.
• Conduct risk assessments to manage potential hazards to persons.
• Statutory Obligations
• Investigate complaints about nuisances (noise, vibration, odour, etc.) using visits and specialist equipment, evaluating results to decide on enforcement actions based on the enforcement policy.
• Prepare technical reports for prosecutions and interpret legislation to determine enforcement actions, including advice, warnings, notices, penalties, warrants, seizure, and evidence collection for legal proceedings.
• Initiate investigations into breaches of legislation such as the Environmental Protection Act 1990, Control of Pollution Act 1974, and others, ensuring proper evidence collection and legal compliance.
• Interview witnesses, collect statements, and prepare prosecution documentation. Act as a lead investigator or witness in court, applying enforcement powers, including warrant applications and execution.
• Contribute to technical reports, planning, and licensing application reviews, especially concerning statutory nuisances and public health impacts, particularly noise.
• Work anti-social hours, often alone, in potentially difficult situations, making enforcement decisions without immediate senior advice. Participate in the out-of-hours standby scheme.