Environmental Health Practitioner (Grade 10) in Yeovil

Overview

Job Category: Facilities & Environment
Job location: Brympton Way, Yeovil, Somerset, BA202HT, United Kingdom
Somerset Council
Hours per week: 37
Start date: Immediate start
Salary: £34.13 per hour

Key results area

• Accountability
• Corporate Responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, organisational policy, and professional codes of conduct to uphold standards of best practise.
• Deliver the aims of the council’s equality, diversity and inclusion policies; health, safety and wellbeing of self and others; and Organisational values in everything you do, ensuring team members are also aware of their responsibilities and maintaining their understanding that Equality and Diversity practice covers both interaction with staff, service users and communities and includes challenging discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity for all.
• To inspect, audit, monitor, raise awareness and enforce Environmental Health & Licensing legislation in all premises as necessary, with a focus to undertake programmed inspections and investigations. This includes the preparation of reports, schedules and statutory notices.
• The postholder is required to comply with government legislation and/or regulatory duties and to be aware of and stay up to date with any emerging or changing legislation.
• The post holder has delegated authority to undertake enforcement activities in line with the Council’s enforcement policy, including recommendation for prosecution.
• The post holder is required to use their professional judgement to make decisions as to the appropriate level of action needed when enforcing environmental health legislation and influencing policy makers. This involves balancing legal requirements, public safety and business operational constraints.
• To assist in the organisation and carrying out of programmed monitoring and sampling as and when required and dealing with any failure or risk identified as a result.
• To collect evidence in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and to prepare reports and statements while instigating legal proceedings.
• To attend court and give evidence as a witness in connection with environmental protection cases, to attend appeals, tribunals and Coroner\’s inquests as required.
• To respond to and administer public health funerals, dealing with any residual estate and next of kin as required. (Dependent on role discipline).

Qualification / Knowledge / Skills / Experience

• Qualification

• Essential
• BSc (Hons) Environmental Health or MSc Environmental Health or equivalent, or qualified by strong, relevant professional experience.
• Driving Licence and vehicle or ability to travel easily across the Council.
• Compliant as Authorised Officer as defined by FSA Code of Practice Competency Framework – essential. (May be applicable depending on discipline)

• EHORB Registration
• Member of CIEH

• Essential: Up to date comprehensive knowledge of legal, technical, and professional matters in relation to Environmental Health (Environmental Protection) areas of responsibility, legislation, and codes of practice.
• Understanding of PACE and RIPA.
• Knowledge and understanding of Health & Safety legislation and requirements.
• Understand the principles of data protection.
• Understand the implications of health inequality and issues around vulnerable persons.
• Desirable: Project and/or change management, Understanding of Council services and governance.

• Essential: Able to demonstrate understanding, and knowledge of policy and activities across Environmental Health functions.
• Desirable: Professional competence / expertise and proven experience in the relevant specialism(s); Experience of working for a local authority; Assisting in planning and delivering projects/ programmes; Preparation and presentation of reports to a variety of audiences; Experience of taking enforcement actions including legal cases, evidence preparation and presentation.

• The ability to communicate both orally and in writing, particularly in relation to report writing, presentations, meetings and negotiations.
• Ability to build and maintain good working relationships with colleagues, partners, members and business representatives.
• The post holder will be required to make frequent decisions and act without ready access to a senior officer.
• Effective organisational skills.
• Self-motivated and works well within a team.
• Flexible, able to cope with a variety of tasks and an ability to prioritise competing demands.