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- Tasks: Make a real difference in community health and safety through food and environmental protection.
- Company: Join the ambitious and forward-thinking West Suffolk Council.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team that values collaboration and innovation.
- Qualifications: Passion for environmental health and relevant qualifications required.
- Other info: Exciting career growth opportunities in a beautiful area with a great quality of life.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About the role: This role is an opportunity to make a real difference to our community, to protect the public and help businesses comply with their legal responsibilities with food safety, health and safety and infectious disease control. We have reviewed our services to meet future challenges and are working with professionals to refresh and enhance our whole commercial service and improve our team structure. We are building the future at West Suffolk and we’d love you to be part of it!
You will be working with a friendly, supportive and dedicated Food and Safety team, who genuinely value collaboration and helping each other succeed. You’ll also share your knowledge, insights and experience with the team, helping to develop and strengthen skills together. There will be the opportunity to undertake focussed projects and targeted work to meet our purpose. We welcome new approaches and different ways of thinking, and you’ll enjoy varied, interesting work that really makes a difference.
You’ll use your professional judgement to provide clear, confident advice and take enforcement interventions where needed, as well as investigating complaints, outbreaks and sampling. Working closely with customers, local businesses, and partner organisations, you’ll play a key role in driving real improvements and help businesses meet their food and safety legal responsibilities and raise standards across the area.
What you will need: To be passionate about what environmental health can do, contribute and benefit from our team and enjoy problem solving. You will share our values and be motivated by the positive impact you can have on people, businesses and the community. The review and restructure of our services have led to a number of additional posts required to meet future demands. We are, therefore, looking for qualified and fully registered Environmental Health Officers and Food and Safety Officers, with a Higher Certificate in Food Control or equivalent. We welcome applications from outstanding Environmental Health graduates, apprentices or very soon to be registered officers for development roles, in a Career Pathway.
If qualified with the higher certificate in food premises, we would support developing your competencies with the safety element of the role, which may include completing the NEBOSH qualification. Site visits are required in a large rural area and so the suitable candidate will have the ability to travel throughout the West Suffolk area.
This is an exciting time to be joining West Suffolk Council which has gained a reputation for being ambitious and forward-thinking. West Suffolk residents enjoy a great quality of life, making it a fantastic place to live, work and bring up a family. The area offers both space, peace and quiet in its beautiful countryside locations, but also buzz and activity in its forward-looking towns and an innovative entrepreneurial spirit in its thriving small business sector.
Bury St Edmunds, the main town, was ranked the best place to live in the East of England by the Sunday Times.
Why work for us? Our benefits include:
- Holiday entitlement of 25 days, increasing to 29 days after 5 years (pro rata if part time) plus bank holidays (with an option to buy up to 10 extra days each year subject to approval)
- Generous pension scheme – contribute between 5.5% and 6.8% (depending on your salary) and the council will contribute 26%
- Life assurance – a payment of three times your annual salary
- Essential car user allowance of £846 - £1,239 per annum (depending on engine size)
- Flexible working options with a genuine commitment to work/life balance
- Agile working - ability to work in the office and from home
- Access to a unique employee benefits package which includes discounts and cashback on supermarkets, high street shops, holidays, mobile phones, electrical goods, savings and loan schemes and many other products and services
- Salary sacrifice benefits including Cycle to Work scheme, Tusker Leased Car Scheme and SmartTech (buy the latest tech products interest free and repay through your monthly salary)
- Rail and bus staff discounts
- A range of Health and Wellbeing initiatives including an employee assistance programme
- Discounted membership at Abbeycroft Leisure centres
- A culture of learning inspiring staff to focus on continuous learning
- Modern office accommodation
For more information: For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Laura Knight, Commercial EH Manager on 07815 016071 or email laura.knight@westsuffolk.gov.uk. Please note, we are unable to accept CVs, please follow the online application process to apply.
Closing date: Thursday 9 April 2026. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt so please apply without delay.
West Suffolk Council has been rated in the top 10 district councils for climate action (Climate Scorecards 2023) and as a member of UK100 has demonstrated its commitment to a rapid transition to Net Zero with Clean Air in our communities. The council has declared a climate and biodiversity emergency and is committed to working towards net zero emissions by 2039.
Environmental Health Officer / Food and Safety Officer in Bury St Edmunds employer: West Suffolk Council
Contact Detail:
West Suffolk Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Environmental Health Officer / Food and Safety Officer in Bury St Edmunds
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the Food and Safety team at West Suffolk. Understanding their values and recent projects can help you connect during the chat and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your problem-solving skills! In your discussions, share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in environmental health or food safety. This will demonstrate your ability to think on your feet and make a real impact in the community.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your passion! The role is all about making a difference, so be prepared to talk about why you're passionate about environmental health and how you can contribute to the team's goals. Your enthusiasm can really set you apart!
✨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 us at West Suffolk Council and ready to take the next step in your career.
We think you need these skills to ace Environmental Health Officer / Food and Safety Officer in Bury St Edmunds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for environmental health shine through in your application. We want to see how much you care about making a positive impact on the community and helping businesses comply with food safety and health regulations.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills. We’re looking for candidates who can contribute to our team, so show us how your background aligns with the role and our values.
Be Clear and Confident: When writing your application, use clear and confident language. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially when it comes to providing advice and taking enforcement actions in your future role.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember, we can’t accept CVs, so make sure to apply through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and is considered promptly. Don’t wait too long – we review applications as they come in!
How to prepare for a job interview at West Suffolk Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of food safety regulations and environmental health practices. Familiarise yourself with the latest legislation and any recent changes in the field. This will not only show your passion for the role but also demonstrate your commitment to keeping the community safe.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles or during your studies. Think about specific situations where you had to use your judgement to make decisions, especially in food safety or health-related scenarios. This will highlight your ability to think critically and act decisively.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with a supportive team, be ready to discuss your experiences in collaborative environments. Share instances where you’ve contributed to a team’s success or helped colleagues develop their skills. This will resonate well with the values of the Food and Safety team.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. Inquire about the team's current projects, future challenges, or how they measure success in their initiatives. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand if it’s the right fit for you.