At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct food hygiene inspections and manage health & safety interventions across various businesses.
- Company: Join Sandwell MBC's dynamic Environmental Health team making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of food safety and health while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered Environmental Health Officer with at least 3 years of relevant experience.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with opportunities to work across different disciplines.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ 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
Shortlisting date: 8th April 2026
Interview date: 16th April 2026
For an informal discussion about these job opportunities please contact Jo Hickman Environmental Health Team Manager: Email - joanne_hickman@sandwell.gov.uk, Telephone: 07776 453879.
Applications for this role will only be considered where a CV is accompanied by a personal statement detailing how you meet the criteria in the job description and personnel specification, along with a demonstration on how you meet the competency requirements for this role as outlined below.
Area to cover in your personal statement
To be considered for this role, you must be able to demonstrate the following competencies in your personal statement:
- Please demonstrate how you meet the qualification and competency requirements, as defined under the Food Standards Agency Food Law Code of Practice, to undertake the full range of food hygiene work, including in approved premises.
- Please demonstrate how you meet the qualification and competency requirements, as defined under the Food Standards Agency Food Law Code of Practice, to undertake food standards interventions in caterers and retailers.
- Please demonstrate how you meet the qualification and competency requirements to undertake the full range of Health and Safety interventions.
To apply please send a CV email and the requested information as detailed above to: PPP_Team@sandwell.gov.uk. CV’s with no accompanying personal statement will not be considered. We reserve the right to close vacancies prior to their advertised date if we receive a large number of applications. Therefore, you are strongly advised to complete and return your application as soon as possible. When completing your application please refer to the supporting documents attached. If you have a disability and require assistance in making an application, or have experienced a problem whilst applying for a position, please contact Helen Hanson via e-mail to: PPP_Team@sandwell.gov.uk.
For more information about working for Sandwell Council, our recruitment process and our offer to you please visit www.sandwell.gov.uk/counciljobs
Click here to find out more about our One Team Framework: Values and Behaviours www.sandwell.gov.uk/WeAreSandwell/council/story #WeAreSandwell
Senior Environmental Health Officer in West Bromwich employer: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Environmental Health Officer in West Bromwich
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the Environmental Health field, attend relevant events, and join online forums. 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 their Environmental Health team. Understand their vision and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to food safety and health & safety. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your expertise effectively.
✨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 you’re serious about joining the team at Sandwell MBC. Get your CV and personal statement ready, and hit that submit button!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Environmental Health Officer in West Bromwich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Environmental Health Officer role. Highlight your relevant experience in food safety and health & safety, and don’t forget to mention your qualifications as per the Food Law Code of Practice.
Craft a Compelling Personal Statement: Your personal statement is your chance to shine! Clearly demonstrate how you meet the qualifications and competencies outlined in the job description. Use specific examples from your past experiences to back up your claims.
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since excellent communication skills are key for this role, make sure your application reflects that. Write clearly and concisely, and ensure there are no typos or grammatical errors. We want to see your professionalism right from the start!
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we get a lot of applications, so get your CV and personal statement in as soon as possible through our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the Food Law Code of Practice and be ready to discuss your qualifications and experience in food safety and health & safety. Highlight specific cases where you've successfully managed inspections or interventions, as this will show your expertise.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Senior Environmental Health Officer, you'll need to communicate effectively with businesses and team members. Prepare examples of how you've handled difficult conversations or provided guidance to others. This will demonstrate your ability to lead and support your colleagues.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life situations, like handling a food hygiene complaint or an outbreak investigation. Think through your approach to these scenarios beforehand, so you can articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Leadership Potential
The role requires flexibility and the ability to manage your own caseload. Be prepared to discuss how you've adapted to changing circumstances in previous roles and how you can take the lead on projects or complex case work within the team.