Senior Environmental Protection Officer - Scientific Lead Ref: 26-25
Job Description
Job summary
Grade: | Grade 6 £43,882- £50,761 per annum (subject to job evaluation) |
|---|---|
Responsible To: | Environmental Protection & Enforcement Team Leader |
Responsible For: | Environmental Health Officers, Technical Officers, and Environmental Health Assistants (as allocated) |
Job Purpose: | This senior role provides scientific and technical leadership across core Environmental Health functions—focusing on areas such as air quality, Environmental Permitting, contaminated land, statutory nuisance, Private water supplies, drainage and public health. You will act as the Council's scientific lead, supporting complex investigations, guiding statutory interpretation, and mentoring officers to deliver effective, evidence-based services that improve environmental and living conditions for our communities. |
Location of Job: | Dereham, with regular travel across the district |
Directorate/ Service Area: | Environmental Health & Licensing |
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.
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