Salary – £34,834 - £40,221
Hours – 37 hours – office base, on-site, hybrid working
The role
We are currently looking to appoint a Senior Environmental Health Officer to be the Lead Officer for food law and workplace health and safety enforcement within the Borough. You will join our multi-disciplinary Public Protection Unit. Your duties will cover the full range of Environmental Health but will focus on the inspection of food and health and safety inspections and investigations.
Qualifications
Degree in Environmental Health with EHRB/CIEH registration.
Professional qualifications in Food Safety and Health and Safety.
Duties and responsibilities
- Interpret and implement legislation and national guidance in respect of food safety, health & safety and smoke free enforcement and determine the strategy to achieve objectives.
- Inspect food premises, including high risk food premises and approved food premises.
- Investigate complaints related to the sale of unfit food and implement appropriate action including prosecution. This would include representing the Council in court if formal proceedings were taken.
- Prepare and issue associated statutory and informal notices and prepare cases for prosecution for breaches of legislation where appropriate.
- Undertake health and safety inspections, accident investigations, health and safety complaints and advisory visits in accordance with HSE priorities.
- Investigate and assist with the management of cases of food poisoning and other infectious diseases within the community.
- Inspect plans, carry out surveys and make recommendations on applications for planning and building control for commercial operations in relation to Food Safety and Health & Safety issues.
- Investigate failures of microbiological and other food safety standards including formal samples involving contact with other local authorities, the Food Standards Agency and manufacturers located outside the district.
- Prepare technical reports as required, including the preparation and annual update of food safety and health and safety standard procedures in line with national guidance and best practice.
- Represent the council at appropriate meetings, working parties or committees as directed by the Head of Service.
- To be responsible for ensuring the data quality of all information related to the duties of the post.
- To support the Public Protection Manager in identifying service development issues, the implications of legislation, guidance, Codes of Practice etc. and other issues to promote continual improvement of the service, making recommendations as appropriate.
- To respond to requests for advice and information, including freedom of information requests. To compile and submit statutory returns to the Food Standards Agency and all Health and Safety related returns.
- To process, inspect and enforce cosmetic treatment registrations.
- To investigate requests for service in relation to rodent or insect pest infestations.
- To undertake continuing professional development and maintain knowledge of changes in legislation, technology and best practice.
- To carry out any other related duties of an equivalent nature that the Council may require within the level of competence of the post holder.
Person Specification
- Sound knowledge of relevant legislation, codes of practice, guidance, policies and procedures.
- Experience of carrying out inspections in high risk and approved food premises.
- Experience of investigating food related complaints, food sampling and infectious disease notifications.
- Experience in undertaking food safety/health and safety enforcement, i.e, the service of notices and prosecutions.
- Experience in legal and administrative processes involved in enforcement
- Experience in the regulation of food premises and approved food premises and the use of HACCP principles in food safety.
- Experience of the application of risk assessment concepts in health and safety enforcement
- Experience of working with partners/other agencies to deliver environmental health
- Experience of using Microsoft Office suite or comparable ICT applications
- Demonstrable commitment to CPD (Continuous Personal Development) in Environmental Health
- Ability to communicate and negotiate with contacts with authority, professionalism and confidence
- Ability to accurately collect, interpret, record and produce information in written form, including the preparation and presentation of reports
- Ability to undertake or contribute to promotional or educational projects
- Ability to make decisions within established policies.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines on time.
- Ability to demonstrate enthusiasm and determination
- Able and willing to work outside normal working hours as the service demands
- Ability and willingness to demonstrate the council’s values and behaviours
- Full current driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes
Benefits
- Flexible working
- Family friendly policies
- On-site free parking
- Up to 31 days' annual leave
- Option to purchase additional leave
- Salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme
- Savings and loan scheme
- Discounted gym membership
- Generous pension scheme
- Additional voluntary contribution to AVC
- Staff reward scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee forums (Your Voice, Health & Wellbeing)
General Statement
The information contained in this job description is provided to assist employees joining the council to understand and appreciate the work content of their post and the role they will play in the organisation. However, the following point should be noted:
- Whilst every endeavour has been made to outline all the duties and responsibilities of the post, a document such as this does not permit every item to be specified in detail. Broad headings, therefore, may have been used, in which case all the usual associated routines are naturally included in the job description.
How to apply
Download and complete the application form at https://www.rossendale.gov.uk
Application forms should be returned to: recruitment@rossendalebc.gov.uk OR
Rossendale Borough Council, People & Policy, The Business Centre, Futures Park, Bacup, Lancashire, OL13 0BB
Alternatively, email your name and address, quoting reference number BA1007 to recruitment@rossendalebc.gov.uk or telephone People and Policy on 01706 252513.
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you will need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.
Closing Date – Friday 18th October 2024 at 10am
Interview Date – TBC