Environmental Health Officer / Food Safety Officer

East Staffordshire Borough Council – a high-performing local authority serving a diverse borough with a mix of urban and rural communities and a wide range of food businesses – is seeking an Environmental Health Officer or Food Safety Officer. This is an exciting opportunity to join a successful Environmental Health Team, helping to protect public health, support local businesses and improve the wellbeing of communities across the borough. Applications are welcomed from experienced professionals, as well as Graduate Environmental Health Officers and those due to complete their Environmental Health degree shortly.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertaking food safety, health and safety and public health inspections, interventions and surveys across a range of business and domestic premises.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant food safety, health and safety and public health legislation.
• Investigating complaints, service requests and potential breaches of legislation to identify risks to public health.
• Providing professional advice, guidance and support to businesses, stakeholders and other service areas.
• Applying professional judgement to determine appropriate courses of action and undertaking enforcement activity where necessary.
• Managing proactive and reactive Environmental Health casework in line with service priorities and statutory duties.
• Conducting sampling activities, evaluating results and using statutory powers to safeguard public health and improve standards.
• Producing accurate reports, technical documentation, correspondence and records to support service delivery and customer service excellence.
• Supporting the delivery of Environmental Health Service Plan objectives and contributing to the protection and improvement of community wellbeing.
• Building effective relationships with local communities, businesses, partner agencies and other stakeholders.
• Assisting in the development of service plans, policies, procedures and continuous service improvement initiatives.
• Delivering education, guidance and awareness activities to promote public health, safety and compliance.
• Contributing to specialist projects and wider Environmental Health initiatives as required.
• Developing knowledge and skills across Environmental Health disciplines, including opportunities to support housing standards and other regulatory work.

Skills and Experience

• BSc or MSc in Environmental Health, or Higher Certificate in Food Premises Inspection.
• EHRB/CIEH Registered Practitioner status, or working towards the required qualification within the next six months.
• Practical experience within Environmental Health.
• Proven track record in Food Safety, Housing or Health and Safety.
• Experience in managing complaints through both informal and formal processes.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong ability to analyse and interpret legislation.
• Experience of applying and enforcing legislation in a balanced and proportionate manner.
• Ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Sound professional judgement and decision-making skills.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Opportunities for hybrid working.
• Free car parking.
• Car salary sacrifice scheme.
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities.
• Exposure to a varied and diverse Environmental Health workload.
• Opportunities to develop skills across a range of Environmental Health disciplines.

Salary: Up to £40,777 per annum, plus a potential market forces supplement of £2,555 per annum (subject to review), dependent on qualifications and level of experience.

Location: Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, with opportunities for hybrid working.