At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to tackle environmental challenges and protect public health.
- Company: Join East Suffolk Council, making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Generous leave, flexible working, and discounts on various products.
- Other info: Exciting career growth opportunities and supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Shape environmental policies and improve sustainability in your community.
- Qualifications: Degree in Environmental Health or related field with extensive experience.
The predicted salary is between 110660 - 135252 £ per year.
East Suffolk Council is an exciting place to work, delivering essential local services and making a real difference to a quarter of a million people across East Suffolk. We are looking for an experienced and ambitious Principal Environmental Protection Officer to join our highly respected Environmental Protection team.
As a Principal Environmental Protection Officer, you will assist the Environmental Protection Manager to guide and shape the work of the Environmental Protection Team with a focus on Environmental Regulation. As part of this role, you will also carry out the day-to-day management of a small team of officers.
This is an exciting opportunity to take a leading role in protecting public health, improving environmental quality and tackling environmental crime across East Suffolk. You will provide expert technical leadership on some of the Council's most complex and high-profile environmental challenges. You will lead and develop a small team of Environmental Protection professionals, providing expert advice, mentoring and support to ensure the delivery of a high quality, customer focused service.
Providing expert advice on pollution investigations, environmental regulation and enforcement activity, you will play a key role in shaping outcomes that have a lasting impact on residents, businesses and the environment. We encourage matrix and project-based working, which means you will support colleagues across the broader Environmental Protection team when needs arise, ensuring that there is resilience in the team and variety in your role.
You will be:
- Confident in managing and mentoring technical officers to build expertise and resilience
- Working across a diverse portfolio including statutory nuisance, environmental permitting, private water supplies, environmental crime, animal licensing and wider environmental health matters
- Enthusiastic about shaping service improvements that enhance health outcomes and sustainability.
What you will need:
- A degree in Environmental Health or a degree related to Environmental Science.
- Extensive knowledge of environmental health legislation, regulation and enforcement.
- Proven and extensive experience across a range of Environmental Protection disciplines, such as statutory nuisance, environmental permitting, animal licensing, noise control, private water supplies and environmental crime.
- Strong leadership, mentoring and people management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop others.
- A collaborative and analytical approach, with a passion for continuous improvement and service excellence.
- The ability to travel across the East Suffolk district.
Why work for us? East Suffolk Council is a great place to work and there are lots of benefits our employees can access. Here are some of the main benefits:
- Generous leave entitlement (equivalent to 25 days a year, increasing to 31 days after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays)
- Local government pension scheme
- Flexible working arrangements
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- A wide variety of staff support networks including access to health and wellbeing initiatives and programmes.
- Discounts on mobile phones, computers, holiday and travel, fashion and clothing, health and beauty and many other products and services.
Closing date: 11pm 27 September 2026
Interview date: w/c 12 October 2026
Principal Environmental Protection Officer in Woodbridge employer: Suffolk County Council
At Sendsory, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for our team of Cognition and Learning Practitioners. Located in Ipswich, Suffolk, we offer competitive salaries, six training days per year, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children with SEND. Our commitment to professional development and a child-focused culture ensures that every employee can grow and thrive while contributing to a nurturing educational setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Environmental Protection Officer in Woodbridge
✨Get Involved in Local Environmental Initiatives
Dive into your local environmental scenes, like community clean-up projects or eco-focused events. Not only will you meet like-minded people, but it's a surefire way to showcase your passion and skills in environmental engineering tech.
✨Join Industry-Specific Organisations
Check out organisations like the Institution of Environmental Engineers for networking opportunities and resources. They often host events and seminars that can help us connect with key players in the industry, including potential employers like Suffolk County Council.
✨Show Off Your Projects and Passion
Create a portfolio that highlights any relevant projects, whether it's coursework, internships, or personal initiatives. Share this online, perhaps even on platforms like GitHub or your own website, to grab the attention of hiring managers looking for talent like us.
✨Utilise Environmental Job Boards
Take advantage of niche job boards dedicated to environmental careers. Sites like Green Jobs, Environmental Career and EcoJobs often feature openings from companies like Suffolk County Council and can help us land that full-time gig.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Environmental Protection Officer in Woodbridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for a role in environmental engineering tech, make sure to highlight your technical skills like CAD software proficiency, data analysis, or modelling techniques. These are essential for the job and should stand out in your CV and cover letter, showing how you can contribute to projects at Suffolk County Council.
Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability:In this field, showcasing your passion for sustainability and environmental protection can set you apart. Include any relevant projects, volunteer experience, or courses that underline your commitment to these causes. Suffolk County Council will appreciate candidates who genuinely care about making a difference.
Tailor Your Application to the Role:Don't just send a generic CV and cover letter. Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Principal Environmental Protection Officer at Suffolk County Council. Highlight experiences that align directly with the job description and give concrete examples of your work to demonstrate that you’re the right fit for a full-time position.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have certifications related to environmental engineering or technology, like LEED Accreditation or any relevant software certifications, make sure to mention them. These qualifications can boost your application and show that you’re serious about your professional development in this competitive field.
How to prepare for a job interview at Suffolk County Council
✨Brush Up on Environmental Regulations
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest environmental regulations and standards. In an environmental engineering tech role at Suffolk County Council, you might be asked specific questions about compliance measures, so understanding these will definitely give you an edge.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your proficiency with relevant tools and software, such as AutoCAD or GIS. You might be given a practical problem to solve during the interview, so it’s a great idea to brush up on these skills and perhaps even bring a portfolio of your projects to showcase your technical prowess.
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sustainability
In a full-time role, employers are looking for commitment and enthusiasm. Share your experiences, studies, or projects that reflect your passion for environmental sustainability. This will show Suffolk County Council that you're not just qualified but genuinely invested in the field.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Be ready for behavioural questions that assess how you handle teamwork, conflict, and project management. Think of examples from your studies or practical experiences where you tackled challenges effectively, showcasing both your technical and interpersonal skills.
