At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure food safety and health standards while supporting local businesses in a vibrant community.
- Company: Join Lewisham Council, a diverse and inclusive employer committed to making a difference.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, flexible working, and staff discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community health and safety in a dynamic London borough.
- Qualifications: Experience in food controls, health inspections, and excellent communication skills required.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional development and support networks.
The predicted salary is between 46300 - 48200 £ per year.
Discover yourself in Lewisham, where your work makes a meaningful difference to our vibrant and diverse communities. We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
Join us in the Food and Safety Team at Lewisham as the Environmental Health Service expands. Lewisham is a thriving, exciting and diverse London borough, with major redevelopment and regeneration taking place. The Food and Safety Team is looking for experienced, highly motivated and enthusiastic Environmental Health Officers who will share in our ambition to deliver an outstanding service to the local community.
These roles involve a wide range of regulatory functions - balancing proportionate and effective enforcement interventions with providing advice and support to our local businesses. You will be managing a complex caseload that includes food hygiene and food standards inspections, reactive and proactive health and safety enforcement, infectious disease controls, complaint investigations, prosecutions, sampling, special treatments premises inspections and project work. You will have your own district to take responsibility for and with the support of your colleagues, have the opportunity to apply the full range of your professional skills and knowledge to drive improved standards of compliance.
What’s in it for you?
- Excellent training and development opportunities
- Generous holiday allowance
- Local Government Pension scheme
- Flexible working and family friendly policies
- Season ticket and bicycle loans
- A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
- Supportive staff networks
What we’re looking for
You must be experienced in carrying out official food controls, health and safety inspections, complex investigations, the preparation and service of statutory notices and prosecutions. We particularly welcome applications from candidates with experience in local authority health and safety enforcement and event/sports ground safety enforcement.
You must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail and a real commitment to providing good customer care. We are currently working flexibly from home and the office in a hybrid work pattern, so you will need to be self-motivated, diligent and be able to work well independently. Excellent organisational and time management skills are essential. A full driving licence is required.
Location
The job is primarily based in Laurence House, Catford, London, SE6 4RU but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work from the office for a minimum of 2 days a week.
Diversity
Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply.
The Council has a dedicated employment support service, Lewisham Works, which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you want to join Lewisham Works, please email JobsAndSkills@lewisham.gov.uk and an advisor will be in touch with you.
Closing date: Monday 13th March 2026. The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.
Environmental Health Officer employer: London Borough of Lewisham
Contact Detail:
London Borough of Lewisham Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Environmental Health Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former Environmental Health Officers on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a role in Lewisham. Personal connections can really give us an edge!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of local health regulations and recent changes in food safety laws. We want to show that we’re not just qualified, but also genuinely interested in making a difference in the community.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on how you can balance enforcement with support for local businesses, as this is key for the role. Confidence is key, so let’s nail those responses!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows that you’re serious about joining the team at Lewisham and contributing to our vibrant community.
We think you need these skills to ace Environmental Health Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in food controls and health and safety inspections. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since excellent written communication is key for this role, ensure your application is clear and concise. Use proper grammar and structure to demonstrate your attention to detail – it’s a big plus for us!
Highlight Your Organisational Skills: We’re looking for someone who can manage a complex caseload effectively. Share examples of how you’ve successfully organised your work in the past, especially in high-pressure situations. This will show us you can handle the demands of the job!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Lewisham
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of food hygiene regulations and health and safety standards. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by local businesses in Lewisham, as well as any recent changes in legislation that might affect your role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in carrying out inspections and investigations. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've handled complex cases or enforced regulations effectively, as this will demonstrate your capability to manage the responsibilities of the role.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since excellent communication skills are a must, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might be asked to explain technical concepts or procedures, so being able to break these down for different audiences is key.
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment
Express your passion for community service and improving public health standards. Share why you want to work in Lewisham specifically and how you can contribute to their mission of supporting diverse communities and ensuring safety.