Senior Environmental Health Officer (Private Sector Housing) in Kent

Use your expertise where it really matters. At Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, we’re seeking a qualified Environmental Health Officer to step into a senior role that provides variety, influence and professional autonomy, backed by a supportive management team. This is an opportunity to focus on meaningful, high-impact work in private sector housing—protecting residents’ health, improving housing standards and applying enforcement proportionately and professionally. If you’re looking for a role where your judgement is trusted and your experience valued, we’d love to hear from you.

About the role

As a Senior Environmental Health Officer, you will lead on a wide range of private sector housing functions, combining complex casework, enforcement, supervision and project delivery. Your work will directly improve living conditions for residents while supporting landlords to meet their legal responsibilities. The role offers genuine scope to shape service delivery, mentor developing officers and influence policy and practice.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead investigations into housing conditions in the private rented sector and take appropriate enforcement action, including notices, civil penalties and prosecutions.
• Carry out Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) inspections and apply professional judgement to assess risk and severity.
• Manage the Council-owned Cinder Hill Wood Traveller site, including tenant liaison and licence compliance.
• Coordinate action to reduce long-term empty properties.
• Lead on the licensing and enforcement of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and supported housing.
• Investigate allegations of unlawful eviction and harassment.
• Support the delivery of Disabled Facilities Grants and discretionary housing assistance.
• Supervise and support an Environmental Health Apprentice and contribute to training and professional development across the service.

About you

You’ll be a qualified Environmental Health professional with experience in private sector housing and the confidence to manage complex and sensitive cases. We’re looking for someone who is practical and solutions-focused, with a strong commitment to public health and housing standards. You’ll bring:

• Substantial experience in housing standards enforcement and private sector housing work.
• Experience of HMO licensing and regulatory compliance.
• Strong working knowledge of housing and public health legislation.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to manage difficult conversations calmly and professionally.
• Strong organisational and case management skills.
• The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a team.

Essential qualifications:

• BSc or MSc in Environmental Health.
• Registered Environmental Health Practitioner status or EHORB registration.

This post is subject to a satisfactory basic DBS check.

What we offer:

• An attractive basic salary within a clear pay structure.
• 26 days annual leave (increasing to 29 days after 5 years continuous Local Government service) plus three additional days in December and bank holidays.
• Membership of the Local Government (CARE – Career Average (Revalued Earnings) Pension Scheme – Employer contribution of 19.7%).
• Free staff parking and an essential car user allowance of £1000 per annum (pro-rated for part time staff).
• The Council operates a hybrid working model with minimum 2 days working in the office.
• Access to HAPI, an all-in-one benefits hub, giving you easy access to a wide range of employee perks, wellbeing support, discounts, and everyday savings.
• Invaluable training opportunities for continuing professional development.
• The Council has partnered with Health Assured to provide staff with access to EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) to assist in balancing everyday life with the requirement of work and home.

Equal Opportunities: Tunbridge Wells – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Safeguarding: The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.