Lead Environmental Health Practitioner

Cheshire West and Chester Council is a place where everyone can Thrive - through our core values of Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Innovation, Value for Money and Empowerment.

This successful candidate will have responsibility for leading and coordinating our regulatory responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 including criminal investigations, inspections and corporate health and safety obligations within the service.

The postholder will have oversight of reported injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences (RIDDORs) and lead responsibility for investigations and inspections resulting from RIDDOR reports. In the past investigations have concerned fatalities, significant injuries and the conditions of buildings.

The role will also include lead responsibility for health and safety licensing requirements, including zoo licensing, other licensing regimes under relevant bye laws (for example, skin piercing) as well as animal establishments licensing. It will involve carrying out and co-ordinating zoo licensing inspections at several complex sites across the authority and management of our dog warden contract.

The postholder will ensure that all complaints, enquiries and relevant licensing inspections are dealt with or carried out in a timely manner and will be the service's specialist in health and safety matters, advising managers on any legislative changes and recommending and being involved in policy decisions.

The postholder will also have line management responsibilities.

5 x GCSEs (or equivalent) are essential along with a relevant degree or equivalent relevant qualification in Environmental Health and/ or experience along with supervisory experience.

Cheshire West and Chester is a vibrant place to work offering a mix of rural and urban locations with offices situated across the borough including the City of Chester, with its cultural heritage of the city walls, famous rows and roman amphitheatre, to the modern café culture and top tourist attraction of Chester Zoo. Cheshire West is a prime location for major motorway networks and transport links.

As part of a multifunctional wider Public Protection team, comprising Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Licensing professionals, working for this service offers an exciting challenge carrying out a varied role in a forward thinking, joined up service and playing a part in making a real difference to our local community.

The role is a hybrid flexible role meaning you will be expected to work out in the field, at home and at a range of offices as determined by the needs of the service. If operational needs require you may be expected to work outside of officer hours occasionally.

A driving licence is essential.

Cheshire West and Chester Council have adopted a Local Living Wage for our employees which means that all employees will receive a minimum of £13.45 per hour for all contracted hours.