Environmental Enforcement Officer

Enforcement Skills are currently seeking a Environmental Protection Officer on a fixed term contract based in Dunstable but travel throughout the region may be required.

Enforcement Skills is a market leading recruitment business dedicated to supplying experienced practitioners on a temporary, contractual or permanent basis to police, criminal justice, public and commercial sector employers.

Purpose of the Role

To act as an enforcement officer in regard to criminal offences in regard to environmental protection.

Key Responsibilities

• Respond to Environmental Protection Team service requests
• Accurately record all service requests and follow up actions on the service recording system
• Undertake routine intelligence led environmental monitoring providing a visible presence in communities
• Work closely with Waste Minimisation Officers providing support by promoting waste minimisation messages in the community and addressing waste minimisation issues, as appropriate, whilst undertaking routine monitoring
• Act as a visible point of contact in communities, addressing issues and providing advice on council services as appropriate feeding issues back into council services as necessary.
• As required and appropriate attend problem solving groups to provide support with regard to environmental issues
• Ensure that in the course of their duties procedures and responsibilities in respect of statutory legislation is complied with
• As appropriate undertake enforcement action as set out in the officers delegated powers following all statutory procedures and guidance
• Investigate offences under the Clean Neighborhood and Environment Act, the Environmental Protection Act or other associated legislation, and coordinate and progress prosecution cases authorised by the Environmental Protection Team Leader
• To conduct PACE interviews and take statements as required in the course of an investigation and attend court as required
• Prepare and serve abatement notices or other community orders in accordance with relevant legislation
• To manage the fixed penalty notice processes through to payment or prosecution.
• To provide advice and guidance on environmental protection issues to members of the public and business communities as required.
• Support the Environmental Protection Team Leader in developing local campaigns on prevention, intervention and awareness raising for waste minimisation and environmental issues
• Work weekends and evenings as per shift patterns or to undertake planned investigations
• Support and attend promotional events as required
• Attend court as a case officer or to give evidence as required
• Wear corporate uniform as required

Essential Requirements

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent.
• Experience of working in a local authority, environmental enforcement/Anti-Social Behaviour or criminal justice background
• Very good level of literacy to write letters, prepare case notes for interviews and for prosecution cases.
• Good level of numeracy to complete fixed penalty notices and updating databases
• Specialist knowledge of environmental legislation and legislation in relation to prosecuting offences e.g. Police and Criminal Evidence Act. An understanding of specialist equipment is also required.
• A very good knowledge of environmental legislation procedures and policies to ensure that enforcement activity is undertaken within statutory guidance, that the preparation of prosecution cases, PACE interviews and statements are correctly undertaken.
• Experience of using a variety of equipment such as PC’s, printers, photocopiers, telephones, fax machine, in addition to specialist equipment related to service activities e.g. CCTV equipment on team vehicle.
• Experience of using a variety of administrative systems These are;
o Word
o Powerpoint
o Excel
o Citrix
o Flare/Acolaid – to log complaints and actions in relation to community issues or to help with customer requesting advice
• Clear understanding of local authority organisational structure for the coordination of projects and for recognising the needs of colleagues and other departments to improve the delivery of service.
• Good geographic knowledge of local areas is required
• Basic knowledge of other cultures in order to behave with the appropriate sensitivity and awareness.
• High level of caring skills to provide empathy and understanding towards victims or the complainants whilst remaining objective in difficult and or delicate situations.
• Ability to work closely with colleagues not only within the Environmental Protection Team, but across the wider Community Safety Team and other service areas as well as with external partners.
• Ability to provide advice and guidance to colleagues and members of the public.
• Good knowledge of systems, procedures and legislation and the ability to explain them clearly and understandably to others with a view to changing behaviour.
• Very good level of communication skills in order to liaise with members of public, partners and colleagues in relation to environmental and general queries.
• Very good level of written communication to correspond with a variety of audiences to provide an accurate and efficient service. The ability to write detailed letters, emails and reports as well as being able to interpret statutory documents.
• Good presentation skills to speak on different levels and to adapt to the knowledge level of the recipients.
• Understanding and sympathetic approach to parties to reach agreements and resolve issues.
• Accuracy and precision to input data when producing reports and also when writing complex letters/ emails.

Desired Requirements

• Qualification in ASB/ Community Safety/Environmental Enforcement or related field
• Experience of working in a local authority/local government.
• Good knowledge of Central Bedfordshire Council’s organisational structure to deliver a professional and consistent service to customers and external agencies.
• Experience of working in a team

This is a 12 week fixed term contract paying £16.26 p/h PAYE or £16.87 p/h LTD

If you would like to be considered for this position and have the relevant experience, please apply

Due to the high volume of applications we receive it is not always possible to respond to unsuccessful applicants. Therefore, if we have not responded to your application within five days please note that on this occasion your application has not been successful.

Enforcement Skills is a member of the Red Snapper Group. The Red Snapper Group acts as an employment agency (permanent) and as an employment business (temporary) – a confidential service to candidates.