Job info	Job info details
Job title	Apprentice Regulatory Compliance Officer
Strategic team/Directorate	Adult & Community Services
Service	Community & Customer Services
Business unit	Community Safety
Responsible to (day to day issues)	All Community Safety Managers
Accountable to (line manager)	Housing Standards and Environmental Protection Manager
Salary grade	Apprentice Level 4
JE ref	RCOAPPL4

1. Key purpose of job

• To provide administrative and other support within the Housing Standards and Housing Options Services whilst obtaining on the job experience and qualifications. Specialising in Enforcement, Licencing and Property Standards.  

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

• The delivery of a quality service which meets the legislative need and the needs of the community.
• An improvement of the stability and standard of the Private Rental Sector in Torbay.
• The protection and enhancement of public health, safety and welfare.
• The prevention of crime.
• Ensuring Regulatory Compliance is achieved.
• Successful completion of the Level 4 RCO apprenticeship course with CSA Learning.

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

• Responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults and children at all times.
• Learning how and assisting with implementing, administering and enforcing the full range of environmental health legislation and in particular those duties listed below which are relevant to the Team to which the postholder is appointed.
• Learning how to and assisting with undertaking surveys as required under housing legislation and in particular the Renters Rights Act 25 which may include:
  • Surveying dwellings and houses in multiple occupation (HMO). 
  • Establishing whether specified requirements (i.e. requirements under HHSRS) or periodic requirements (i.e. certifications) have been met. 
  • Undertaking external surveys of areas of houses and houses in multiple occupation identifying premises which require attention. 
  • Recommending the most satisfactory course of action, i.e. renovation, closure etc, in respect of individual dwellings and houses in multiple occupation, in accordance with established procedures. 
  • Communicating formally necessary works and suitable timescales for improvement.
• To assist in proactively identifying and targeting intervention opportunities to improve the housing environment and compliance with Housing legislation.
• To assist on the delivery of key programs of work such as HMO licensing schemes, pro-active enforcement (rogue landlord) projects, energy efficiency schemes, etc.
• To assist with all customer support activities including taking and making phone calls, responding to and sending emails, and attending face to face meetings.
• Learning how to and becoming a key member of a partnership approach to improving Torbay with internal and external partners.  Promoting Environmental Health and Consumer Protection in respect of any of the above matters by:
  • Entering info formal and informal discussions, consultations and correspondence on the full range of environmental health and housing matters. 
  • Investigating complaints from members of the public, Councillors, MP’s and Senior Council Officials relating to any area of work undertaken by the postholder.
  • Conducting correspondence with owners and occupiers and drafting legal notices including schedules of work.
  • Preparing evidence and attending Court/Tribunal or Public Enquiries for the submission of evidence. 
  • Inspecting premises, taking readings or measurements and drawing such plans as are necessary for the execution of the above duties.
  • Providing administrative, statistical and financial information regarding environmental health matters and activity.
• Advising, consulting and liaising with Officers and other Directorates and organisations.
• Ensuring that senior managers are kept aware of all developments requiring their decision and reporting whenever necessary, as required. 
• Attending Council Committees, Sub Committees and Working Parties, study groups, meetings or further training as and when required.
• Keeping informed of all developments, technical, legal or otherwise which affect the postholder’s work.
• Learning how to and maintaining accurate and timely records for the effective performance of duties.
• Learning how to and taking proper care of all instruments and materials which are used in connection with the duties.
• Complying with all relevant departmental procedural documents including the key task and objective policies, particularly those relating to response times.
• Promoting the Council’s policy of Customer Care through the provision of a fair, efficient service clearly explained to our customers and demonstrating a positive attitude in all aspects of the work.
• Observing and complying with the Council’s Health and Safety Policy and Code of Conduct.
• Assist the Housing Standards Manager in organising programs of work, policy and procedure creation and amendment.

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

• None. 

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

• None. 

6. Working environment and conditions of the post

• The postholder will be required to work in both the office environment and in the open air or in residential properties, away from the main office base.
• The postholder may be required to investigate environmental pollution incidents which may be unpleasant, e.g. raw sewage, blocked drains, very noisy environments, uneven terrain for significant periods or premises which are categorised as filthy and verminous.
• The postholder will be required to enter domestic properties where the occupants are unknown and likely to have complex needs.  This may occur both within office hours or out of core working hours.

7. Physical demands of the post

• The post will require physical demands, such as lifting manhole covers, climbing ladders and entering some restricted spaces.

8. Specific resources used by the post

• The postholder has shared access to a pool/shared van.
• The postholder will be responsible for ensuring the repair, maintenance and safe keeping of a variety of allocated resources including hand-held IT equipment, specialist drainage equipment and other onsite environmental equipment such as noise/damp meters. 

9. Key contacts and relationships

• External - All persons who contact Community Safety, either for help or assistance or any other reason.  All persons/businesses whom the Division regulates.  All external agencies with whom the Division consults or works in partnership with, e.g., Police, Devon Fire & Rescue, Health Protection Agency, Home Improvement Agency.  
• Internal - Divisional Director Community and Customer Services, Environmental Health Managers, Senior Environmental Health Officers, Technical Clerks, Principal Officer Neighbourhood Team and all other officers within the Council.

10. Other duties

• To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.

Other Information

• All staff must commit to Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discriminatory Practice.
• The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement. 
• The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
• The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
• This post is office based at Tor Hill House, Torquay but the post holder may be required to move their base to any other location within the Council at a future date.
• The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
• If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council.
• Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
• The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• As this post meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2017 (part 7) the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Person Specification

Note for Candidate

All Candidates

The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement. In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.

Candidates who consider that they have a disability

Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.

If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.

Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.

If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.

Job info	Job info details
Job Title	Apprentice Regulatory Compliance Officer
Strategic team/Directorate	Adult & Community Services
Service	Community & Customer Services
Business unit	Community Safety

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

• Effective communication.
• Effective organisational ability.
• Ability to see tasks through to a successful conclusion to ensure objectives and deadlines are met.
• Able to present verbal and written information clearly and concisely.
• Up to date knowledge of PC based office systems.
• Ability to work on own or as part of a team.
• Initiative and commitment with a flexible approach to work.
• Problem solving skills. 
• As this post meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2016 (part 7), the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post. 

Desirable skills and effectiveness

N/A

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

• Ability to use a range of standard IT packages. 

Desirable knowledge

• A broad understanding of the role the private rented sector plays in meeting housing need.

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

• Experience of working in a team through paid or voluntary work, or through education. 

Desirable experience and achievements

• Previous local government or office-based experience.
• Experience of making decisions independently. 

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

• GCSE in Maths and English at Grade 4 - 9 (or equivalent). 

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

• At least one A level (or equivalent). 

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job role

• Willingness to undertake a Level 4 Regulatory Compliance Officer qualification and additional training required for the role.
• Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. 
• Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/South West/UK to carry out duties. 
• Ability to accommodate unsociable hours. 
• Ability to accommodate occasional homeworking.