We are currently seeking to appoint 2x Environmental Health Officers to join its Community Regulation Team.

One role will focus primarily on regulation within the private rented sector and licensing of HMOs with some elements of nuisance investigation, whilst the other will focus on primarily on nuisance and planning with some elements of housing enforcement.

You should be aware that the Council is currently undergoing a corporate restructure. This may result in some changes made to nuisance and planning role to become a purely focused on environmental protection work.

Housing
Working across the private sector housing functions, you will undertake inspections of private and social rented homes and Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) using the Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS) to identify disrepair, other non-compliance with local and statutory requirements and breaches of management standards. Some elements of the role will also include investigation of complaints made in nuisance and some public health related complaints.

This will also include some regulation of mobile home sites licensed by the Council. Where necessary, you will take action to ensure compliance, which will include preparation of statutory notices, orders and demands in accordance with prescribed forms and procedures. Great communication skills are key, as you will be working with several key partners, including the Police, Fire and Rescue, Immigration, HMRC and others, to ensure residents are safeguarded and afforded safe accommodation.

You will also have great attention to detail which will aid your preparation of paperwork for civil penalty offences and legal statements to represent the Council in First Tier Tribunal-Property Chamber (Residential Property) appeals.

Nuisance and Planning
Your focus will be on the investigation of nuisance and public health related complaints and, responding to the noise and pollution aspects of planning applications. Where necessary, you will take action to ensure compliance, which will include preparation of statutory notices in accordance with prescribed forms and procedures as well as having great attention to detail which will aid your preparation of paperwork for dealing with any prosecution case work, fixed penalty notices or notice appeals.

This will also include some working across private sector housing functions as detailed within the housing role.

To be successful in the role you will already hold,
·  A degree in Environmental Health
·  Good working knowledge of the relevant legislation as it relates to each role  
·  Experience in preparing enforcement cases through to First Tier Tribunal or Magistrates Court

In addition, you will have confidence and passion to succeed in ensuring that our residents have safe and sustainable accommodation across the private rented sector  

For more information about the role, please contact Neil Polden at neil.polden@bedford.gov.uk