Environmental Health Officer / Assistant Environmental Health Officer

Full Vacancy Description

Job description Environmental Health Officer (EHO)/Assistant Environmental Health Officer (AEHO)

Responsible To:   Team Manager (Housing Standards & Improvement)

1. Purpose of Job

The primary purpose of the Environmental Health Officer post is to ensure the efficient and effective performance of the Council’s statutory functions in relation to all residential property and to deliver housing services in accordance with the Council’s Vision and Values, Policy and other objectives and Government legislation. This is a front-line post dealing directly with members of the public at all levels both in and out of the office environment.

2. Principal Accountabilities

Departmental

1.         Promote compliance with statutory housing requirements to meet Government, Council and Audit objectives.

2.         Deliver front line services to improve sub-standard housing in line with Council aims and objectives.

3.         Provide specialist advice, support, and training on housing as required.

4.         Contribute to the investigation and development of policies and procedures to achieve detailed Housing Service objectives with the Senior Environmental Health Officer.

Functional

1.         To take formal or informal action to make sure dwellings are safe and suitable for the purpose of residential occupation in line with Housing Services Enforcement and Licensing Policy and Housing Services Delegations document.

2.         To carry out inspections and surveys of dwellings to identify hazards and compliance with Government legislation, and decide the most appropriate course of action to remedy significant hazards, disrepair and unsatisfactory management in line with Council policy.

3.         Assess eligibility of applicants for mandatory and discretionary financial assistance in accordance with Council policy and good practice guidance.

4.         Issue schedules of work and process applications for mandatory and discretionary financial assistance as required for approval by the Senior Environmental Health Officer.

5.         Inspect on site mandatory and discretionary assistance works as required, while in progress and on completion to ensure satisfactory quality and value of works as approved for assistance.  Obtain invoices and completion certificates for the approval of payments by the Senior Environmental Health Officer

6.         Establish effective working relationships with landlords and owners of residential properties to promote compliance with current minimum statutory standards.

7.         Inspect empty properties as required to determine their condition in accordance with the Housing Acts and, for potential re-use as residential dwellings.  Prepare plans and schemes of works and work with owners to bring properties back into use.

8.         Investigate housing condition complaints and enquiries, inspect properties and assess the conditions to determine the most appropriate course of action to remedy significant hazards, disrepair and unsatisfactory management in line with Council policy.

9.         Develop and maintain expertise in the health and safety impacts of housing conditions, systems of repair and improvement, and enforcement of relevant legislation. Maintain an awareness of changes to relevant legislation and contribute to the development of new working practices with the Senior EHO to address these changes.

10.       Prepare and present briefings and reports on housing issues within the scope of this job description.

11.       Participate in joint working initiatives within and outside the Council to develop new initiatives for the improvement of private housing and other housing related services.

12.       Organise training and development in housing matters for colleagues and relevant stakeholders.

Specific

1.         Take appropriate, statutory or other action to remedy significant hazards, poor management or other housing issues in accordance with the Housing Services Enforcement Policy. Where necessary prepare prosecution reports and produce statements of witness for approval by the Senior Environmental Health and give evidence in Court.

2.         Prepare cases to defend statutory notices where an appeal is made against a notice

3.         Initiate, prepare and ensure the carrying out of works in default on failure to comply with statutory notices.

4.         Participate in the recruitment and selection of environmental health students and assistant and qualified EHOs as within the Section as required.

3.  Qualifications, Competence and Experience

Competencies

1.         A demonstrated understanding of property condition and systems of repair, maintenance and improvements.

2.         An up to date working knowledge of legislation and guidance relating to Private Housing Conditions and Grant/loan Schemes including an understanding of the links between housing and health.

3.         Excellent communication and negotiation skills.

4.         Ability to deal sensitively with vulnerable people, in particular older people, disabled people and those that are ill.

5.         Ability to deal with potentially difficult situations and conflict.

6.         Ability to work effectively individually and within a team and deal with people at all levels within and outside the Council.

7.         Ability to influence and persuade others.

8.         Capable of effectively organising and prioritising own workload to ensure set objectives are met.

9.         Willing to acquire new knowledge and skills, share knowledge and skills in particular to promote improved and more efficient service delivery.

10.       Computer literate.

11.       Ability to work with voluntary and other external organisations is desirable.

In addition to the competencies listed above a Level 1 EHO must have:

•           A degree or MSc in environmental health from a CIEH accredited university.

On successful achievement of the post graduate professional qualification in environmental health (EHORB registration with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health) and a positive performance review, the post holder can progress to the EHO Level 2 role.

EHO Level 2 (Environmental Health Officer)

In addition to the competencies listed above together with a degree or MSc in environmental health from a CIEH accredited university a Level 2 EHO must have:

•           EHORB (Environmental Health Officer Registration Board) registration with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.

4.  Dimensions

Provide a front-line inspection, assessment and improvement service to improve sub-standard housing in the Council within the constraints of the Service.

5.    General

1.         This Job Description contains only the principal accountabilities of the post and does not describe in detail all the duties required to carry them out.  The post-holder maybe required to undertake other work at a commensurate level as specified by the Housing. The post holder will also be required to meet the expectations listed below.

2.         Actively participate in the Council’s performance management and other management systems;

3.         Follow Council’s the customer service and staff behaviour standards.

4.         Protect his/her personal health, safety and welfare and those of others in accordance with legislation and Council policy.

5.         Provide cover for those other Officers identified in this job description at times of leave and sickness and deputise on occasions for the Housing Services Team Manager (Standards and Improvement).

6.         The post-holder may be required to work and/or be available outside normal office hours including regular evening meetings.

7.         The post holder must possess a driving licence and have access to a car.  However, if you are unable to drive due to disability, the Council will consider the provision of transport on an individual basis.

8.         This job also involves the use of a mobile device on site to record inspection findings and a computer device/personal computer to undertake follow up work.

9.         Working environment: This job involves working both office based time and working outside the office on site. . It is expected that 50% of time will be spent on site and 50% office based.  This includes working outside in all weather.

10.       Physical effort: This job requires physical effort to undertake inspections of houses. This may include walking to / from visits as well as around