At a Glance
- Tasks: Inspect food hygiene and health & safety standards while investigating complaints.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Havering, committed to community welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public health and safety across your community.
- Qualifications: Post-qualification experience in food safety and health & safety regulations.
- Other info: Flexible work environment with a focus on teamwork and service improvement.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 48000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Public Protection Officer (Food Safety/Health & Safety) role at London Borough of Havering.
Employment Details
- Employment: Full‑time permanent (2x Food Safety/Health & Safety)
- Working Hours: 36 per week
- Job Location: Work will be required across the borough of Havering including hybrid working
- Salary: G7 £43,680 - £48,003 pa
- Closing date: 31st January 2026
About The Food/ H&S Role And Team
In this role you will be delivering our food hygiene and standards inspection programme, investigating complaints regarding food and health & safety matters. You will also be assisting with a variety of other functions including health & safety at work, investigation of accidents and infectious disease control. Your work will include providing comments on licensing and planning applications, as well as event consultations. As a regulatory role you will carry out appropriate enforcement, in line with the Council’s enforcement policy; providing advice, responding to complaints and serving notices as necessary. You will also be expected to attend court and other hearings to provide evidence and lead on prosecutions. As part of the team you will undertake a multi‑disciplined enforcement caseload and be able to manage your work effectively. This may include undertaking monitoring visits at unsociable hours though not on an on‑call basis. You will have post‑qualification experience and be competent under the Food Law Code of Practice to inspect high‑risk food businesses. You will also be competent to enforce under the Health & Safety at Work Act and associated regulations. You must hold a suitable qualification as listed in the Food Law Code of Practice. You will be able to provide, on request, a copy of your competency framework and current and appropriate CPD.
About You
We are looking for an enthusiastic, self‑motivated team player who is customer focused, technically knowledgeable and with good communication skills. You will be flexible in your approach to work, being able to support other officers when necessary. You will need to have a good working knowledge of IT systems including but not limited to MS 365 and case management systems. You will have opportunities to help shape the improvement of our services.
Further Info
For an informal chat about the role, please contact Tina Nelan (tina.nelan@havering.gov.uk, 01708 431904) for the food roles or Mike Richardson (mike.richardson@havering.gov.uk, 01708 433968) for the Environmental Protection role.
Additional Information
We want everyone to choose Havering. When you apply for a job with us, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. Our residents and service users come from all walks of life, and so do our employees. Find out what it means to Choose Havering. The London Borough of Havering has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role. We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.
Public Protection Officer (Food Safety/Health & Safety) employer: London Borough of Havering
Contact Detail:
London Borough of Havering Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Public Protection Officer (Food Safety/Health & Safety)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the food safety and health & safety sectors. Attend local events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your experience in food hygiene inspections and health & safety enforcement. This can really set you apart during interviews and give you a chance to demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or mentor to do mock interviews with you. Focus on common questions related to food safety and health & safety scenarios. This will help you feel more confident and articulate when it’s your turn in the hot seat.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application, so make sure you submit it directly on our platform. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
We think you need these skills to ace Public Protection Officer (Food Safety/Health & Safety)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Public Protection Officer role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Experience: In your supporting statement, be specific about your post-qualification experience in food safety and health & safety. We want to see examples of how you've handled similar responsibilities in the past.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read. Stick to the two A4 sides limit for your supporting statement and make every word count!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly. Plus, you'll find all the details you need to complete your application there.
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Havering
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on food safety regulations and health & safety laws. Familiarise yourself with the Food Law Code of Practice and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role's requirements.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Public Protection Officer, you'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully handled complaints or provided advice in previous roles to demonstrate your communication prowess.
✨Be Ready for Real-Life Scenarios
Think about potential scenarios you might face in this role, such as dealing with a food safety complaint or an accident investigation. Prepare to discuss how you would approach these situations, showcasing your problem-solving skills.
✨Highlight Your Team Spirit
This role requires collaboration with other officers. Be prepared to share examples of how you've worked as part of a team in the past, especially in high-pressure situations, to show that you're a flexible and supportive team player.
