Job info	Job info details
Job title	Environmental Health Officer/Housing Specialist (Housing Standards Supervisor)
Strategic team/Directorate	Adult & Community Services
Service	Community & Customer Services
Business unit	Community Safety
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Housing Standards Manager
Accountable to (line manager)	Housing Standards Manager
Salary grade	K
JE ref	ADC055S

1. Key purpose of job

• To maintain and improve health, safety and welfare in Torbay.
• To improve the physical environment of Torbay by the enforcement of appropriate legislation.
• To be a key member of a partnership approach to service delivery. 

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 housing standards in Torbay.
• The protection and enhancement of public health, safety and welfare.
• The prevention of crime. 

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

• Responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults and children at all times.
• As an authorised Officer, 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.
• To undertake surveys as required under housing legislation and in particular:
  • Surveying dwellings and houses in multiple occupation (HMO), preparing plans and specifications. 
  • Considering the status and suitability of potential HMO’s ensuring licences are obtained and appropriate conditions are set. 
  • 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, demolition, 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 proactively identify and target intervention opportunities to improve the housing environment and compliance with Housing legislation.
• To organise and deliver key programs of work such as HMO licensing schemes, pro-active enforcement (rogue landlord) projects, energy efficiency schemes, etc.
• To help Torbay Council to identify and compete for funding opportunities.
• Scrutinising planning proposals and plans under the Building Regulations and advising other Departments/Divisions on activities relating to environmental health.
• Undertaking as required research and study of special projects and the presentation to other members of the Division information and advice in relation to those specialisms.
• Undertaking surveys and projects to investigate trading practices and including participation in or supervision of covert investigations.
• To be 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.
• Preparing reports and undertaking various project work as and when 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.
• Maintaining accurate and timely records for the effective performance of duties.
• 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, in particular 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, staff supervision and performance management.

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

• No direct responsibility.

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

• Day to day supervision of assigned team members. 

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 and is expected to use this vehicle for Council duties wherever possible.
• 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 the Workplace Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Policy.
• 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. And are aware that the Chief Executive and the Director for Children’s Services are the Safeguarding Leads for the Council.
• 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.
• As this post meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check (Disclosure) from the Disclosure & Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of ALL cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions, whether “spent” or “unspent”. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post.
• 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.
• 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 this post is customer facing, it will require the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
• 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.

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	Environmental Health Officer/Housing Specialist (Housing Standards Supervisor)
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.
• Diplomatic and persuasive.
• Ability to work to deadlines effectively.
• Ability to work on own or as part of a team.
• Initiative and commitment with a flexible approach to work.
• Problem solving skills. 

Desirable skills and effectiveness

• Experience of providing advice and information on technical matters to a non-technical clientele. 

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

• Up to date knowledge of housing legislation.
• A broad understanding of the role the private rented sector plays in meeting housing need.
• Working knowledge of housing standards, inspection techniques and notice preparation and enforcement.
• Working knowledge of HMO licensing schemes. 

Desirable knowledge

• A working knowledge of the standards to be achieved in relation to means of escape from fire let properties. 

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

• Able to demonstrate effective work programme delivery through co-ordination of work.
• Experience of property inspection and the preparation of schedules of work. 

Desirable experience and achievements

• Previous local government experience.
• Experience of preparing prosecution files.
• Experience of attending Court. 
• Experience of working with a variety of partner agencies to resolve housing related issues.

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

• Degree/Diploma in Environmental Health (or alternative relevant qualification). 

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

• Project management qualification. 

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job 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 in order to carry out duties. 
• Ability to accommodate unsociable hours. 
• Ability to accommodate occasional home-working.