Community Enforcement Officer (x2) Ref: 05-26

Job summary

Description of duties

Primary Objectives 

Job Purpose

• To provide a flexible, multi-disciplinary enforcement and investigation service across planning enforcement, housing standards, environmental crime, and anti-social behaviour (ASB).
• The postholder will carry out preliminary investigations, gather evidence and work closely with service specific Enforcement Officers to issue statutory notices, and take proportionate enforcement action to support compliance with legislation and local policies.
• The role supports the council's objectives of maintaining safe, clean, well-managed neighbourhoods, protecting residents and businesses, and upholding regulatory standards across the built and public environment.

Key Responsibilities

Investigation & Enforcement

• Undertake preliminary investigations into reports relating to:
• suspected breaches of planning control
• housing standards concerns and private-rented sector issues
• fly-tipping, waste offences, littering, abandoned vehicles, and other environmental crimes
• anti-social behaviour linked to noise, nuisance, public spaces, or community safety
• Conduct site visits, inspections and fact-finding enquiries, ensuring accurate and timely recording of evidence.
• Interview witnesses, complainants and alleged offenders in accordance with PACE and council procedures.
• Collect evidence including photographs, statements, CCTV footage, mapping data and physical samples where appropriate.
• Issue fixed penalty notices (FPNs), statutory notices (e.g., Section 215 notices, community protection notices), warning letters, and improvement notices as authorised.

Case Management

• Assess complaints and determine appropriate enforcement pathways or referrals to specialist teams (e.g., planning enforcement officers, environmental health officers, private sector housing).
• Maintain clear, accurate case files suitable for legal proceedings.
• Prepare briefing notes, enforcement reports, and witness statements for legal action.
• Attend court, tribunals, or joint agency case conferences as required.

Partnership Working

• Work collaboratively with internal teams (Planning, Housing, Environmental Health, Community Safety, Waste Services, Legal Services).
• Liaise with external agencies including police, fire service, housing associations, landlords, charities, and community groups.
• Participate in joint operations targeting hotspots for waste crime, nuisance behaviour, rogue landlords, or unauthorised development.

Public Engagement & Education

• Provide clear advice to businesses, residents and landlords on compliance with relevant regulations.
• Attend community meetings and represent the council in relation to enforcement matters.
• Promote awareness of council policies, environmental standards, and legal responsibilities.

Health, Safety & Professional Standards

• Ensure all enforcement activity is undertaken in accordance with council policies, statutory requirements, and codes of practice.
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE), lone-working systems, and risk assessments appropriately.

Maintain professional knowledge of relevant legislation such as the:

• Town and Country Planning Act 1990
• Housing Act 2004
• Environmental Protection Act 1990
• Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014
• Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE)
• GDPR and data-handling requirements

Ensure compliance to all policies, procedures, standard operating practices, with recommendations for action and continuous improvement.

Primary Line/Performance Management Objectives of the Role

• Deliver timely, proportionate and legally robust investigations across planning, housing, environmental crime and ASB.
• Ensure all enforcement decisions are evidence-based, proportionate and compliant with statutory requirements.
• Secure improved compliance and positive community outcomes through proportionate enforcement.
• Work collaboratively to deliver coordinated enforcement activity.
• Maintain professional, clear and empathetic communication with residents, businesses and stakeholders.
• Maintain and develop professional knowledge and technical competence.
• Undertake enforcement duties safely and in compliance with Council policies.

Primary Leadership Objectives of the Role

• Demonstrate leadership in maintaining high professional and evidential standards across enforcement activity.
• Take ownership of operational priorities and contribute to coordinated enforcement delivery.
• Contribute to the development and capability of the wider enforcement team.
• Represent the Council professionally and influence positive compliance outcomes.
• Demonstrate initiative in improving enforcement processes and service delivery.

This job description is not exhaustive.

The job description outlines the current position and will be subject to review in the light of development within the service, in consultation with the post holder as detailed in your Contract of Employment.