Senior Environmental Protection Officer - Scientific Lead Ref: 26-25

Salary: Grade 6 £43,882 - £50,761 per annum (Subject to Job Evaluation) 
Hours: Full time 37 hours per week
Basis: 12-month contract
Location: Dereham (with regular travel across the district) 

Are you an experienced environmental health professional passionate about science-led approaches to healthier, safer communities? We're looking for a Senior Environmental Protection Officer - Scientific Lead to guide our technical work and shape strategic improvements across Breckland. 

This is a high-impact specialist role where you'll lead on complex environmental health issues - from air quality to contaminated land - and mentor staff, ensuring our work is informed, innovative, and effective. 

What You'll Be Doing 

• Leading on air quality management and contaminated land investigations. 
• Providing expert advice on statutory nuisance, housing conditions, and private water supplies and environmental Permitting. 
• Taking appropriate interventions and where necessary, enforcement actions to protect the public and environment. 
• Managing and mentoring technical officers to build expertise and resilience. 
• Representing the Council at technical forums and in multi-agency partnerships. 
• Driving forward evidence-based practice and supporting strategic planning. 
• Shaping service improvements that enhance health outcomes and sustainability. 

What We're Looking For 

• A degree in Environmental Health or a related environmental science. 
• Extensive knowledge of environmental health legislation and enforcement. 
• Proven experience with dealing with Statutory nuisances, air quality, environmental permitting, contaminated land, nuisance, drainage and private water supplies. 
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills, with the ability to inspire and develop others. 
• A collaborative and analytical mindset with a passion for continuous improvement. 
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle. 

It's a Bonus If You Have 

• Experience working in local government or regulatory partnerships. 
• Expertise in using monitoring or modelling software for environmental health. 
• A track record of contributing to strategic plans and health-related policy work

Why Work With Us?

At Breckland District Council, we're collaborative, ambitious, and results-driven. You'll join a forward-thinking team where innovation is valued, and your work directly improves community wellbeing and environmental quality. 

Ready to lead on science-based environmental health? Apply now and help us shape a healthier future. 

Closing date - 9am, Thursday 10 July 2025

Job summary

Key Responsibilities

Core Duties

• Lead technical delivery across key Environmental Health disciplines including air quality, land contamination, nuisance, private water supplies, Environmental Permitting and public health. 
• Act as the Council's scientific advisor—interpreting environmental monitoring data and shaping regulatory decisions. 
• Oversee complex investigations including statutory nuisance, and public health complaints, taking appropriate enforcement actions to ensure compliance. 
• Manage and mentor officers across relevant environmental functions, providing quality assurance and professional guidance. 
• Prepare and review technical reports such as air quality status reports, contaminated land reports/ risk assessments and Environmental Permitting . 
• Support legal actions through enforcement notices, legal file preparation, and attendance at court or tribunal. 
• Represent the Council at technical groups, multi-agency partnerships, and contaminated land forums. 
• Contribute to service development, strategy implementation, and continuous improvement planning. 
• Respond to complex Member queries, complaints, and Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. 
• Promote innovation, funding opportunities, and external income streams to enhance scientific services. 

Performance & Line Management

Supervise a small team of Environmental Health professionals. Provide mentoring, case oversight, and specialist input across technical areas. Act as point of escalation and quality lead for complex scientific casework. 

Note: This job description is not exhaustive and may be revised in response to evolving service needs, in consultation with the post holder.

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

• Experience across Environmental Health disciplines including air quality, land contamination, nuisance, housing, and public health
• Strong background in technical casework and regulatory enforcement
• Proven experience in interpreting environmental or scientific data (e.g. air, land, water)
• Experience leading or mentoring technical staff
• Clear understanding of the legislative framework for environmental health qualifications 

Desirable

• Experience in local government and presenting technical reports to elected committees
• Knowledge of GIS, air quality sensors, or noise monitoring equipment
• Experience in emergency planning or incident response
• Knowledge of funding, grant writing, or income generation within a regulatory setting

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Environmental Health or closely related environmental science subject
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD)
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle 

Desirable

• Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner (CEnvH) or working towards registration
• Specialist qualifications in air quality, acoustics, water quality, or land contamination
• Supervisory or management qualification

Behavioural Competencies

Collaborative - Builds strong partnerships inside and outside the organisation (#oneteam) 

Ambitious - Acts as a proud ambassador for the Council and drives innovation with optimism and confidence 

Results Driven - Focuses on impact and quality service delivery; resilient under pressure 

Empowering - Supports team growth and accountability, and promotes creative problem solving 

Supportive - Creates an inclusive and safe environment; promotes wellbeing and mutual respect 

What's it like to work for us?

We are passionate about our people and pride ourselves on being a great place to work, we genuinely care and know that a happy workforce is a productive and motivated one! If you're still not sure, here are some stats from our 2024 staff survey to convince you..

• 94% said they feel trusted and empowered
• 90% of staff recommend Breckland as a great place to work
• 89% said they have had opportunities to learn and grow in the last 12 months
• 94% think Breckland provide positive action on health and wellbeing
• 91% said they felt supported by their manager

If you STILL need convincing, here's what some of our staff say...

• "Breckland is a fantastic employer, lots of opportunities and support"
• "Having only just started, it is a great place to work, everyone says hello, is smiley and chatty. I like the groups that are on, like carers shed and neurodiversity"
• "We are encouraged to take regular breaks and there are mental health first aiders and a wide range of good promotional aspects of healthy living and wellbeing."
• "In times of need the council offers excellent support."
• "BDC really does seem to care about the wellbeing and happiness of their staff."

At Breckland Council we have embraced the Government's agenda to modernise local government. Our approach is to lead change rather than follow it, and to add the best value we can to our communities. We achieve this by developing our employees to their full potential, providing them with the relevant knowledge, equipment, and authority to carry out their duties.

We are a dynamic and innovative organisation that is always testing and learning as we seek to continually improve. We have never stood still in response to the emergence of new opportunities, changing customer demands, and ongoing funding challenges. We have exciting plans for how to deliver the best possible services to our residents and businesses.

Breckland as a district is a special place nestled in the heart of rural Norfolk, spanning over 500 square miles of beautiful countryside and forest, with five Market Towns and over 140,000 residents. We care, we listen, and we support people and businesses within our district. We have big ideas and we are innovative in our approach, coming up with ways to meet the needs of the local communities that we serve. Through our actions, we want to make things better.

But we know that we can't do it alone. We are a collaborative organisation and we work together with others to make a greater impact. We are also an organisation where our employees can grow and develop and are empowered to achieve and succeed. We are proud of our area, and by driving investment and enabling opportunities, we can maximise its full potential. We want to inspire aspiration to live, work, visit, or do business here: we want our district to be one of choice.

We will support and enable growth and change in our thriving, welcoming places where people and businesses choose to be, knowing their ambitions can be not just fulfilled but exceeded. By listening to people, by understanding what they need and by working together, we can shape what we have to offer. By doing so, we can benefit those who are already here and those who choose to come to live, work, visit, or do business.

We offer excellent conditions of service, including:

• A local government pension scheme (14 per cent employer contribution).
• Attractive holiday package (25 days increasing after three years' continuous Local Authority service by one day per year up to the maximum of 28 days, plus bank holidays)
• Free car parking.
• Remote-enabled working arrangements.
• A newly refurbished office. See what it is like working here by watching this short film: 
  

Our commitment to talent development, on the job learning and upskilling, training and professional memberships, will keep your knowledge and skills up to date.

Ready to lead on science-based environmental health? Apply now and help us shape a healthier future. 

Closing date - 9am, Thursday 10 July 2025

APPLY ONLINE
 

DBS Requirement - Please be aware that if you are selected for this role there will be a requirement to undertake a DBS check as part of pre-employment checks.

Equal Opportunities - We are committed to being an Equal Opportunities employer, recognising the benefits of sustaining a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. We welcome applications from anyone who feels they meet the requirements of our vacancies. These are listed as essential requirements on the person specification.