Environmental Health Officer

Full Vacancy Description

Job Title:                              Environmental Health Officer

General

Potential for the role to be extended for a further 12months. Flexible working applies. We would consider part time working and are only looking for an experienced fully qualified EHO.

Driving licence requirement: The post holder will be expected to travel to achieve the requirements of the role therefore a full driving licence is essential. 

Purpose of Role:

To protect and improve the health, quality, safety and economic prosperity of our town in an efficient and effective way through the application of specialist skills, knowledge and expertise in the full range of environmental health functions. 

Overview

EHOs work as the Duty Response Officer on a rota basis (approximately one week in seven) and also participate in the Out Of Hours rota approximately every 7 weeks. When not on duty the EHOs deliver against planned proactive project and inspection work as well as progressing reactive case work referred from the duty desk when a longer term or more in depth approach is necessary.  EHOs are expected to be competent in all areas of work and they will also have specialist areas that they develop and lead on the Council’s approach; this will include supporting other officers, representing the council /the section in meetings, leading projects, developing procedures and advising managers. 

Key Accountabilities:

To work within agreed service levels, procedures, project plans, protocols and policies to provide environmental health services that protect and improve health and well being, contribute to the corporate objectives and ensure compliance with statutory provisions and corporate policy.

To provide services across the full range of environmental health functions, namely:

food safety; health and safety at work; infectious diseases; licensing; private sector housing (including HMOs); environmental protection; and public health. 

To meet the requirements of the Council’s “How we work” framework that sets out the behaviours and attitudes expected.

To work as a Duty Officer on a rota basis providing a first point of contact and investigation for enquiries.

To undertake provision of an out of hours service on a rota basis.  

Responsibilities

People and Organisation Management

To provide an excellent level of customer service, internally and externally, managing customer expectations and achieving service standards.

To communicate clearly, appropriately and effectively to achieve desired outcomes.  This will involve sensitive and complex information.

To achieve timely resolutions that promote and protect public health, support responsible businesses, are sustainable and are in line with the Council’s Enforcement Policy, including independently serving formal notices and making recommendations for prosecution within the agreed protocols and authorisations.

To work effectively to deliver improved, cost effective and value-added services. 

Manage an individual and varied case load, prioritising visits, inspections and cases to ensure performance targets are met.

To continuously revise priorities based on changing circumstances and information received.  

To balance conflicting and challenging demands from customers, colleagues and managers whilst prioritising objectively. 

Undertake and execute in a consistent, proportionate and transparent manner, a caseload of proactive and reactive cases and enforcement work to meet statutory and service requirements.

Investigate, research and assess a range of situations and activities, including analysis and evaluation of complex data/information and take action/provide information so that appropriate action can be taken to meet the needs of customers and comply with relevant standards and regulations.

Provide complex technical and professional advice, guidance, consultation and solutions to customers, colleagues and external agencies to meet service delivery requirements.

Design, develop, plan and deliver timely resolutions, including enforcement and court action, to achieve outcomes for internal and external customers, external agencies and partners to meet service objectives and ensuring the Council’s statutory and regulatory obligations and guidelines are met.

Build, maintain and promote effective working relationships with councillors, colleagues, partners and external organisations to ensure the work objectives are effectively delivered and services are improved, cost-effective and add value.

To influence, negotiate and encourage positively and effectively to bring about behaviour change.

To understand and apply the principles of the Hertfordshire Regulators Charter.

To support responsible businesses in being successful and assist them in compliance with related legislation and regulations.

To carry out sampling, monitoring and survey work as necessary across the range of Environmental Health functions.

To keep abreast of changes in legislation, policy, practices and techniques across the range of environmental health, and to develop a more detailed knowledge in nominated specialist areas.

To support the Environmental Health Managers by providing specialist advice and developing service delivery, including the production and revision of policies and procedures and providing support, training and guidance to peers.

To develop and manage multi-agency projects, directing a wide range of professionals to deliver set objectives.

To assist in the training and supervision of in-house officers and support staff, work placements and students including cascade training to peers to meet services objectives.

To be responsible for development of training material and delivery of training to service users including the public, businesses and fellow professionals to meet service objectives.

To contribute to service improvement and delivery by playing an active role in design and delivery of services and projects.

To consult and inform the Environmental Health Managers of any casework which is controversial, political or otherwise of a sensitive nature.

To provide cover where required and general assistance to the Environmental Health Manager to ensure effective delivery of objectives.

To represent the Council and Section professionally and positively at all times.

Finance and budgetary control

Effectively manage any project budget assigned up to the value of £50,000 within the agreed protocols of the project to deliver quality and value for money

Procure, arrange and monitor services to deliver works in default up to a value of £10,000, this will include emergency situations being carried out without specific managerial guidance/approval, but in accordance with the corporate procurement policy.

Contribute to generating and securing internal and external funding for relevant areas of work to enable project delivery.

Premises, equipment or information

Responsible for confidential electronic and paper information, including sensitive data, in compliance with the Data Protection Act and other relevant information/requirements

To maintain up to date detailed records of all work undertaken, including the transfer to computer based systems to aid statistical returns, case and performance management and in line with procedures.

Shared responsibility for the maintenance of equipment including noise monitoring equipment, cameras, food probes and stab vests.

Key Performance Indicators:

Statutory and internal set timescales such as undertaking inspections and responses to enquiries, complaints and inspections

Satisfaction survey results

Positive feedback from customers, officers and partners

Number of customer complaints regarding service delivery

Achievement of agreed outcomes in relation to projects

Those set by WBC for internal and external publication

Key Relationships:

Residents and stakeholders

Local businesses

Service team including Managers

Colleagues in Housing, Revenues and Benefits, Customer Service Centre, Events and Planning

Partner organisations

Elected Mayor and Councillors

Fellow public health professionals across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire

Important Notes Relating to Duties:

In dealing with any form of contract or tendering procedures on behalf of the councils, the holder of this post is personally responsible for ensuring that she/he:-

Is familiar with the relevant requirements of the Council’s constitution, Contracts procedures, Rules and Financial Procedure Rules, Officer Code of Conduct and other management guidance that may be given from time to time;

Complies with these formal requirements and related procedures; and

Seeks advice from a more senior officer or an officer with specialism in subject area if in any doubt about the proper course of action.

Knowledge/ Skills / Qualifications

Diploma or Degree in Environmental Health

Certificate of Registration with the Environmental Health Officers Registration Board (EHORB).

An up to date technical knowledge of all aspects of environmental health and a current working knowledge of the associated legislation.

Enhanced technical and legal knowledge and experience within some areas of Environmental Health.

The ability to translate technical and legislative knowledge into practical and proportionate responses.

The ability to design, deliver, monitor, report and participate in projects using appropriate tools and templates to contribute to service aims.

Good organisational, time, self management and prioritisation skills in order to meet deadlines and manage risks.

The ability to work under pressure and to manage interruptions, including unexpected and unanticipated situations whilst out of district.

Ability to take ownership and deliver solutions, working unsupervised and on own initiative.

Ability to work effectively with customers, colleagues and other organisations and to manage expectations.

Ability to use professional judgement to make unsupervised enforcement decisions in all aspects of their work.

Good customer service skills.

Excellent communication skills with a wide range of people (such as customers, elected members, colleagues, contractors, outside agencies etc) from varied professional, technical and cultural backgrounds in order to deliver positive outcomes.

Ability to communicate complicated, sensitive and complex information effectively to achieve outcomes. 

Ability to develop positive relationships with customers and colleagues that engender trust and respect.

Commercial awareness – an understanding of the pressures facing businesses and the importance of this in achieving compliance.

Understanding and appreciation of the internal and external influences and partnerships relevant to working in Environmental Health in particular and Local Government in general.

Understanding of the major issues and challenges facing Environmental Health functions.

Commitment to and understanding of equal opportunities.

Understanding of the health and safety issues relevant to work area.

Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Ability to plan, deliver and manage simultaneous projects and cases of varying size and complexity. 

Ability to sensitively and appropriately deal with emotional, confrontational and stressful situations and conversations regularly.

Sensitivity and ability to work effectively with vulnerable clients, sometimes those having mental health issues.

Ability to defuse situations that may arise from dissatisfied and anxious service users, dealing with contentious issues in a considerate and appropriate manner

Ability to advise, negotiate and influence individuals and businesses to adopt/desist a particular course of action.

To effectively build partnerships both internally and externally to foster co-operation and cross boundary working, in order to deliver initiatives.

Ability to wear body armour / stab vests as required by risk assessments.

Ability to deal with difficult physical environments that are not uncommon on site visits. For example building sites, drainage complaints, pest infestations, animal licensing issues and filthy/verminous premises.

Ability to follow risk assessment controls and procedures to minimise the risks of exposure to pathogens whilst dealing with cases of infectious disease.

Ability to undertake frequent site visits and inspections, climb ladders or access confined spaces.

Ability to transport and operate equipment such as ladders, noise monitoring equipment and drainage equipment.

Ability to travel frequently within and outside the Borough.

Ability to work effectively and sensitively within a political environment.

Experience

Evidence of successfully achieving work objectives in a range of Environmental Health functions.

Evidence of successfully working in an enforcement environment.

Evidence of effective team working

Evidence of dealing effectively with change.

Evidence of understanding and achieving continual improvement.

Experience of working with external and internal customers, understanding their needs and providing a high standard of customer care.

ICT/ technological aptitude

Ability to use Microsoft Office applications effectively, including Outlook and to produce documents, spreadsheets and presentations.

Ability to use case management database, currently Uniform. 

Ability to maintain detailed notes and records on cases and inspections undertaken, in accordance with Service procedures.

Ability to operate equipment such as noise meters, food sampling equipment, food thermometers, measuring equipment and damp meters

Ability to draw accurate and detailed plans of properties both manually and using software.

Personal qualities

Develops and maintains positive working relationships with others.

Shares ideas, information and knowledge.

Has credibility with peers and senior managers.

High customer service ethic – is passionate about meeting customer/client expectations, championing vulnerable customers and improving service levels.

Keeps pace with change – acquires knowledge/skills as the business develops.

Is flexible to meet service and customer needs.

Self motivated and committed to delivering high quality service and protecting public health.

Engenders trust and respect from customers, colleagues and partners.

Acts with integrity and sensitivity.

Takes personal responsibility.

Supports team members.

Manages pressure well.

Maintains professional, polite and courteous manner even in challenging situations.