Environmental Health Officer

Sharper Consulting Services is recruiting on behalf of our East Anglian client for an experienced Environmental Protection Officer to join their Environmental Protection team on an interim basis, helping to protect public health and improve environmental quality across the district.

This is a varied enforcement and regulatory role covering statutory nuisance, private water supplies, and animal welfare.

Contract: 6 months | Start: ASAP | Hours: Full-time, hybrid/flexi
Rate: Circa £45+ p/h DOE 

You’ll investigate complaints, undertake inspections, enforce environmental legislation, and provide specialist advice to residents, businesses and partner organisations, playing a key role in ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.

There is also scope for the right candidate to take on a broader principal officer-level remit — the council is flexible in shaping the role around a stronger candidate.

Duties

• Investigate complaints relating to statutory nuisance, private water supplies, animal welfare and related environmental protection matters.

• Carry out inspections of residential, commercial and industrial premises to assess compliance with environmental legislation.

• Conduct investigations to criminal standards in accordance with PACE, RIPA, CPIA and Human Rights legislation.

• Gather, record and manage evidence, including witness statements and accurate case records.

• Prepare investigation reports and enforcement documentation, including prosecution files where appropriate.

• Apply a proportionate enforcement approach — warnings, notices, Fixed Penalty Notices, and legal proceedings where necessary.

• Provide technical advice and guidance to residents, businesses and internal council departments.

• Liaise with external agencies including the Environment Agency, DEFRA and other regulatory bodies.

• Maintain accurate records using case management and corporate IT systems.

About You:

• Experience within Environmental Protection, Environmental Health or a related regulatory environment.

• Solid working knowledge of statutory nuisance, private water supplies, and ideally animal welfare casework.

• Confident carrying out inspections and investigations, with strong report writing skills.

• Comfortable managing a varied caseload independently.

• Local authority Environmental Protection or Environmental Health experience.

• Knowledge of PACE, RIPA, CPIA and enforcement procedures.

• Relevant professional qualification and/or CIEH membership.