At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct food hygiene inspections and manage health & safety complaints across various businesses.
- Company: Join Sandwell MBC's dynamic Environmental Health team focused on community well-being.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with opportunities to develop skills across disciplines.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public health while advancing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered Environmental Health Officer with at least 3 years of relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 44000 € per year.
The Environmental Health Commercial team at Sandwell MBC is looking to recruit a Senior Environmental Health Officer to work within our Food & Health and Safety team delivering on food hygiene, food standards (in caterers and retail), health & safety and infectious diseases.
About You
We are looking for a suitably qualified Environmental Health Officer (Registered with CIEH as either a Chartered or EHRB registered Environmental Health Officer or a Registered EHP or equivalent) with experience in food safety and health & safety to join our team. You will help shape the direction of our team, use your specialist knowledge and experience to provide regulation and support to businesses, and assist the Team Manager to meet Sandwell’s Vision. You must hold a qualification as listed in the Food Law Code of Practice and have post-qualification experience within food and Health & Safety to carry out food hygiene inspections at high-risk businesses and to undertake Health & Safety interventions.
To be considered for the Senior Environmental Health Officer role you will need to have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working in a regulation and enforcement role within Food Safety and Health & Safety. You will need to be open to new challenges, have excellent communication skills, be professional and an exemplar for Sandwell MBC and the Environmental Health profession. Although most work is undertaken in core office hours you will be expected to work flexibly and outside of core office hours to ensure service delivery. You will need a full driving licence, access to a vehicle and business use insurance as travel across the borough is essential for the role.
The role
You will be responsible for undertaking food hygiene inspections across a broad range of businesses from retailers and caterers, up to large manufacturers and approved premises; investigating food and health & safety complaints; undertaking accident investigations and dealing with infectious disease notifications and outbreaks. You will be expected to manage your own caseload and prioritise your work accordingly. The team have also recently started undertaking food standards inspections at retailer and catering premises and you will be expected to work towards developing your competency in this area. Further training will be provided as needed.
Along with the above responsibilities, you will also be expected to use your specialist knowledge to support other members of the team and to take the lead on complex case work and projects. Alongside our existing Senior EHO’s, you will be expected to participate in a rota to triage and allocate work to colleagues within the team. You will also need to assist the Team Manager by taking a lead on key areas of work, such as managing contractors, or managing our new registrations, taking a lead on our Cat D/ Cat E programmes or leading on a Health & Safety project. Whilst there are no line management responsibilities, this role is ideal for experienced officers who are looking to develop their skills and experience outside of the day-to-day work of an EHO or for officers who are looking to develop their leadership and project management skills to progress into management roles.
The team
The wider Environmental Health team is a busy, friendly, and professional team. There are two teams within Environmental Health, one team covers Food Safety, Health and Safety, Infectious Diseases, and the other team covers Industrial and Commercial Nuisance & Waste and Animal Welfare. The two teams work closely together and provide support as needed. Whilst this role is based within the Food Safety and Health and Safety team, there is the opportunity to develop your skills and experience across disciplines.
What We Offer
- Flexible working arrangements
- A flexi-time scheme allowing up to an extra 2 days leave per month, pro rata
- Generous annual leave: 31 days leave rising to 36 days after 5 years’ service.
- Extra concessionary day over Christmas, plus 2 days office closure (2 days annual leave to be booked)
- Family friendly policies including Carers and Emergency Leave
- Hybrid working, with the expectation of 3 days per week working within Sandwell (on-site/ in the office)
- Opportunities for further development. We support officers with further training and ensuring they can meet Continuous Professional Development.
Closing date: 6th April 2026
Senior Environmental Health Officer employer: Sandwell Council
Sandwell MBC is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for Senior Environmental Health Officers. With flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave, and a commitment to professional development, employees are empowered to grow their skills while contributing to the community's health and safety. The friendly team culture and opportunities for cross-disciplinary experience make Sandwell MBC a rewarding place to advance your career in environmental health.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Environmental Health Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the environmental health field, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like 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 Sandwell MBC and understanding their vision. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in food hygiene and health & safety. Confidence is key, so practice common interview questions with a friend!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring along examples of your past work, such as reports or case studies, to demonstrate your skills in food safety and health & safety during interviews. This will help you stand out as a candidate who knows their stuff.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, keep an eye on our job board for any new opportunities that pop up – you never know when the perfect role might be waiting for you!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Environmental Health Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in food safety and health & safety. We want to see how your qualifications and past roles align with what we're looking for in a Senior Environmental Health Officer.
Showcase Your Skills:In your application, don’t just list your qualifications; showcase your communication skills and any leadership experiences. We’re keen on seeing how you can contribute to our team and help shape its direction.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. We appreciate straightforwardness, so make sure to get to the point while still covering all the necessary details about your experience and expertise.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sandwell Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of food hygiene and health & safety regulations. 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 Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your ability to handle food hygiene inspections and health & safety interventions. Highlight any complex cases you've managed and the outcomes you achieved.
✨Communication is Key
Since excellent communication skills are a must, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Be prepared to explain technical concepts in a way that’s easy to understand, as you’ll need to support businesses and collaborate with your team.
✨Flexibility and Teamwork
Be ready to discuss your approach to flexible working and how you manage your caseload. Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively within a team and your willingness to take on leadership roles in projects or case work.
