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- Tasks: Protect the environment and improve residents' quality of life through investigations and enforcement.
- Company: Join Reading Borough Council's dedicated Public Protection Team.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Relevant qualification and experience in environmental health required.
- Other info: Opportunity to work at local events like Reading Festival and grow your career.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 50000 £ per year.
Job description
Do you have the skills and passion to protect the environment and improve quality of life for residents? We are looking for an Environmental Protection Officer to join our dedicated Public Protection Team. You\’ll play a key role in investigating and resolving environmental issues such as noise, odour, air quality, and other statutory nuisances.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
We support hybrid working and believe that flexible arrangements help our employees thrive. In this role, you\’ll have the opportunity to work in a way that suits your lifestyle. The team splits its time between working in our Reading office, home working, and undertaking site visits in the Reading area.
About the Role:
As an Environmental Protection Officer you take enforcement action when required, preparing legal notices, compiling evidence, and presenting cases in court or at hearings.
This includes working in line with the Council\’s enforcement policy and responding effectively to complex or urgent cases.
You will carry out inspections, surveys, and environmental monitoring to ensure health, safety, and environmental standards are met, while assessing risks to the public.
In addition, you\’ll provide expert advice to residents, businesses, and partner organisations on environmental health matters. You may also lead on specialist areas such as air quality monitoring, noise assessments, private water supplies, or pest investigations, helping to improve environmental quality and public health across the borough. The Team works closely with the in house Animal Warden – assistance may be required in this area. You will also have the opportunity to be involved in noise monitoring at Reading Festival and other local events.
What we\’re looking for:
- A relevant qualification (Level 4 Certificate in Higher Education or equivalent) and knowledge of environmental protection and nuisance legislation.
- Experience in inspections, investigations, and enforcement in an environmental health setting.
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage a varied caseload.
- A full UK driving licence and ability to work flexibly, including participating in an out-of-hours rota.
We offer excellent support, training, and induction. You will have access to our Learning and Development programme and be supported in your career and personal growth with opportunities to learn and develop new skills.
When applying for this post, please ensure that your application explains, with examples, how you meet the person specification in the Job Description as this is the shortlisting criteria.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success.
As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you\’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team – work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency – show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious – be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading – maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you\’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays – rising to 33 days after 10 years\’ service, with the option to buy additional leave
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Payment of professional subscription fee
- Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
- Season Ticket Loan – a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
If you would like any more information, please contact Rebecca Moon – Principal Environmental Health Officer at
Closing Date: Tuesday 21st October 2025
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interviews will be conducted in person at the Civic Offices in Reading.
Environmental Protection Officer employer: Reading Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Reading Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Environmental Protection Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the environmental sector, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the council's recent projects and initiatives. Show us that you're genuinely interested in making a difference in Reading and that you understand the challenges they face in environmental protection.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your problem-solving skills! Think of real-life scenarios related to environmental issues and how you would tackle them. This will help you stand out during interviews when discussing your experience and approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us that you're keen on joining our team and contributing to the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Environmental Protection Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for environmental protection shine through! We want to see how your skills and experiences align with our mission to improve quality of life for residents.
Tailor Your Examples: Make sure to include specific examples that demonstrate how you meet the person specification. We love seeing real-life situations where you've tackled environmental issues or worked collaboratively with others.
Keep It Clear and Concise: While we appreciate detail, clarity is key! Make your application easy to read by using straightforward language and breaking up text into manageable sections. This helps us quickly grasp your qualifications.
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 and allows you to keep track of your application status easily.
How to prepare for a job interview at Reading Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on environmental protection laws and nuisance legislation. Familiarise yourself with the specific issues the council faces, like air quality and noise complaints. This will show that you're not just passionate about the role but also knowledgeable.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare examples from your past work where you've successfully handled inspections or investigations. Be ready to discuss how you managed complex cases and what outcomes you achieved. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to manage a varied caseload.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since strong communication is key in this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. You might be asked to explain technical concepts to non-experts, so think about how you can simplify your language while still being informative.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to environmental issues. Think through how you would respond to urgent cases or how you'd enforce regulations. This will help you showcase your critical thinking and decision-making skills.
