Safer Communities Officer in London

To work under the direction of the Safer Communities Operation Manager in the Safer Communities Service to ensure the effective and efficient running of the licensing service and discharge the Council’s statutory duties in respect of a range of licensing functions and to serve the Council, its Committee Members and Officers. The service is responsible for administering and enforcing a variety of licensing registrations and permit regimes, including those related to alcohol, entertainment and late night refreshments; gambling premises and lotteries; animal establishments, scrap metal and marriages.

The successful candidate will:

• Have excellent knowledge of Licensing Act 2003, Gambling Act 2005 and other licensing legislation related to the post.
• Administer applications for the grant, renewal, transfer and variation of a variety of licences, registrations and permits utilising appropriate systems and databases for recording information accurately and timely in accordance with set procedures and GDPR requirements.
• Carry out associated licensing enforcement responsibilities in line with Council’s Enforcement Policy including responding to complaints, carrying out routine inspections, interviewing witnesses and licensees and others. These duties may include formal interviews of individuals subject to potential criminal prosecution under caution; preparing committee reports, files for evidence and statements; giving evidence at the licensing committee and magistrates and other appropriate courts acting as witness or investigating officer.
• Carry out inspections of licensed premises and address non-compliance through a stepped approach according to the Council’s enforcement policy. This will involve visits to premises outside of usual office hours.

Knowledge

• Excellent knowledge of Licensing Act 2003, Gambling Act 2005 and other licensing legislation related to the post.
• A sound understanding of legal practice and procedures relating to the licensing activities of local authorities.
• Knowledge of local and national priorities in relation to licensing and community safety.
• Detailed knowledge of enforcement powers in relation to licensed premises and process for taking enforcement action.
• Awareness of the principles and application of RIPA, PACE & CPIA.

Skills

• Writes clearly, succinctly and correctly in a logical and structured way.
• Able to prepare reports to a high standard as required for a range of audiences and purposes, including public meetings, hearings and court cases.
• Speaks clearly and fluently, expresses opinions, information and key points of an argument clearly and undertakes public speaking with confidence.
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to negotiate with a variety of audiences using a variety of skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to listen and understand the need of the client or customer and be able to deliver appropriate and innovative solutions.
• Excellent monitoring and reporting skills.
• Skills to interpret and process complex information and reach valid conclusions.
• Excellent Information technology skills and able to use IT systems to undertake tasks e.g. processing applications, producing documents, recording data.
• Proven skills in public engagement and services that interact with the public.
• Project management skills.

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience within the Licensing Team of a local authority.
• Practical experience of enforcement of licensing law relating to licensing of Gambling premises, regulated entertainment, sale of alcohol and late night refreshment.
• Practical experience of enforcement of licensing law in relation to other areas of licensing including animal licensing, scrap metal and marriages.
• Experience of processing licence applications from receipt to grant, and working to statutory timescales and regulations.
• Experience of drafting reports for committees and hearings, as well as statements for legal proceedings.
• Experience of attending committee and court to give evidence.
• Strong partnership working experience with statutory and non-statutory bodies.
• Ability to work with Microsoft products and a good understanding of the use of IT databases.
• Experience of working in a busy demanding service, and capable of effectively organising and prioritising own workload to ensure the meeting of targets and statutory deadlines.