Senior Environmental Health Officer
8 days ago
Croydon
Senior Environmental Health Officer (Private Sector Housing)Overview\n Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Environmental Health Officer to play a key role in improving standards across the private rented sector. This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified Environmental Health professional with strong Private Sector Housing experience to combine technical expertise, enforcement knowledge, and leadership responsibilities within a progressive local authority environment. \n The successful candidate will support the Private Sector Housing management team in delivering high-quality housing enforcement, property licensing, public health, and regulatory services, while supervising officers responsible for protecting the health, safety, and welfare of residents. Key Responsibilities\n\n • Supervise and support a team of up to 6 officers, including Environmental Health Officers, Housing Enforcement Officers, Surveyors, Licensing Officers, Trainees, and Apprentices.\n, • Undertake inspections of private rented properties, HMOs, and other residential accommodation.\n, • Assess housing conditions using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and determine appropriate enforcement action.\n, • Investigate complaints relating to housing standards, public health, drainage, pest control, and licensing breaches.\n, • Lead on complex enforcement cases and support legal proceedings, including prosecutions and financial penalties where appropriate.\n, • Administer and enforce mandatory, additional, and selective property licensing schemes.\n, • Review casework and ensure the quality and accuracy of statutory notices, schedules of work, and legal documentation.\n, • Work closely with landlords, tenants, managing agents, solicitors, housing providers, and partner agencies.\n, • Deputise for senior managers when required.\n, • Take the lead in specialist areas such as:\n \n, • Property Licensing\n, • HMO Regulation and Enforcement\n, • Fire Safety\n, • Tall Buildings\n, • Empty Properties\n, • Energy Efficiency\n, • Pest Control Contracts\n, • Complex Enforcement Activity\n, • Public Health Initiatives\n \nEssential Qualifications\n Applicants must hold: \n\n • A recognised Environmental Health qualification and registration as an Environmental Health Practitioner, or\n, • A relevant degree/professional qualification supported by substantial experience within Private Sector Housing or Environmental Health.\n\n Additionally, candidates should possess: \n\n • Membership of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), or equivalent professional body (or be willing to obtain membership within six months).\n, • Successful completion of HHSRS training.\nEssential Knowledge & Experience\n Candidates must demonstrate strong technical expertise in: \n\n • Housing Act 2004\n, • Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)\n, • Private Sector Housing legislation\n, • HMO Management Regulations\n, • Property Licensing\n, • Mandatory, Additional, and Selective Licensing Schemes\n, • Public Health legislation\n, • Drainage legislation and enforcement\n, • Empty Property legislation\n, • Pest Control enforcement and management\n, • PACE, CPIA, and RIPA procedures\n\n You will also have a proven track record in: \n\n • Private Rented Sector (PRS) enforcement\n, • HMO inspections and enforcement\n, • Housing standards and compliance activity\n, • Preparing legal case files and evidence bundles\n, • Attending Court and Tribunal hearings\n, • Supervising building and remedial works\n, • Managing complex enforcement investigations\n, • Supporting and supervising staff within a regulatory environment\nEssential Skills\n The successful candidate will demonstrate: \n\n • Experience supervising or mentoring officers within a Private Sector Housing, Housing Enforcement, or Environmental Health team.\n, • Ability to manage a personal caseload while supporting colleagues on complex cases.\n, • Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities.\n, • Excellent written communication and report-writing skills.\n, • 36 hours per week.\n, • Hybrid working arrangement in line with organisational policy.\n, • A combination of office, home, and site-based working depending on business requirements.\n, • Flexibility to attend occasional meetings and inspections outside normal office hours.\nDriving Requirements\n Candidates should: \n\n • Hold a full UK driving licence.\n, • Be willing to provide a vehicle for business use.\n, • Be physically capable of carrying out property inspections, including accessing all areas of residential properties and using ladders where required.\nIdeal Background\n We are particularly interested in candidates with: \n\n • Strong local authority Private Sector Housing experience.\n, • Extensive HMO licensing and enforcement expertise.\n, • A comprehensive understanding of HHSRS and housing enforcement processes.\n, • Previous supervisory, team leadership, or management experience.\n, • Experience handling complex housing enforcement and legal proceedings.\n, • The ability to drive service improvement while maintaining excellent professional standards.\nWhy Apply?\n This is an opportunity to join a forward-thinking housing service where you can make a genuine impact on housing standards, resident wellbeing, and landlord compliance. The role offers a blend of technical casework, team leadership, and strategic responsibility, making it ideal for an experienced Environmental Health professional looking to progress their career within Private Sector Housing. \n
