Do you want a challenging and rewarding career with real opportunities to change the lives of people in Northumberland? if you are dynamic, dedicated and enthusiastic then we want to hear from you. 
 
Who is NCC? 

World renowned as a visitor destination, Northumberland is also the ideal location to strike a perfect work/life balance. What better way of enjoying the picturesque scenery and stunning coastline than to sample it on an everyday basis? 

Our Vision is: “To make Northumberland a county which you regard as a great place to live, and in which you can access the things you enjoy, whilst having the opportunity to learn and thrive” 
 
Our Plan is to focus on: 

• Living - we want you to feel safe, healthy and cared for 
• Enjoying - we want you to love where you live 
• Connecting - we want you to have access to the things you need 
• Learning - we want you to achieve and realise your potential 
• Thriving - we want to attract more and better jobs 

For further information about working for Northumberland County Council, please click here: http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/working 

Why choose us? 
 
Include COVID Response from NCC 

We have some outstanding benefits to offer you, including: 

25 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays (rising to 30 after 5 years of service)(pro-rata for part-time employees) 

Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme 

Flexi scheme applicable to majority of roles 

Local government discount schemes available to all employees with offers at local businesses along with various national brands 

A commitment to work-life balance offering flexibility through various schemes including job sharing, home working, flexible working, part-year working, and compressed hours 

Car Leasing Scheme 

Please visit: https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/About/Working-for-Northumberland-County-Council.aspx for more information regarding our benefits. 

You will be supported by our friendly experienced team primarily based in our main office at Morpeth County Hall. 

The Service    

The Council’s Public Protection Service is responsible for a wide range of regulatory functions including Environmental Health, Trading Standards, Building Control and Environmental Enforcement. The Service is responsible to the Director of Public Health.     

The core Environmental Health functions are provided by four multi-disciplinary teams,     

Commercial Team   

The team delivers programmed food hygiene inspections, investigates infectious disease cases and outbreaks, responds to complaints, service requests and enquiries, taking necessary enforcement action to improve standards and protect public health.      

Environmental Protection  

The team inspects local authority permitted industrial sites, responds to planning consultations, implements the Contaminated Land Strategy, regulates private water supplies through risk assessment and improvement interventions, monitors air quality across the County, responds to a variety of environmental complaints, service requests and enquiries, taking necessary enforcement action to improve environmental standards and protect public health.    

Community & Environmental Health  

The team investigates complaints relating to noise and statutory nuisance, as well as housing standards including licensing HMOs.  The team also provides the Council’s operational and strategic Community Safety functions.     

The Team investigates environmental crimes, Fly Tipping, Animal welfare and Abandoned vehicles. They take immediate action including issuing on the spot fines and are experts in gathering evidence and prosecutions in court.    

Two posts are available, one based in the Environmental Protection Team and one in the Community and Environmental Health Team, although the posts will require the successful applicant to rotate through a number of different teams.   

The role      

The posts combine full time employment with the completion of a supported, distance learning Masters Degree (MSc) in Environmental Health at Derby University. This will allow career progression to become an Environmental Health Officer.  Successful completion of the Masters course is a requirement to continue in employment.    

The role will require the development of investigative and inspection competencies, outstanding communication abilities with a broad range of audiences as well as case management skills and a detailed knowledge of relevant statutory frameworks and enforcement protocols.    

The MSc will be undertaken on a part time (three years) distance learning basis alongside the day to day duties.  The course fees and Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) portfolio and qualification fees will be paid for and will be supported with additional study leave.  It is intended that after completing the post graduate qualification and satisfying relevant professional requirements the post holder will be appointed as an Environmental Health Officer.    

Candidates should be confident and highly motivated with a strong interest and knowledge of Environmental Health.  They must possess the academic potential and determination to successfully complete a post graduate qualification on a distance learning basis.  Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage their time effectively between academic study, practical training and their day-to-day workload is essential.  The successful applicant must be able to integrate into an established team whilst maintaining a strong ethos of self-management, especially in relation to academic study. The ability to communicate effectively across a broad range of stakeholders is crucial.   

We are offering:      

A salary of £25,419 to £28,226 (Band 6) leading to £33,486 to £37,568 on qualification (Band 8)   

Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme    

A wide range of staff benefits including a competitive annual leave provision   

Flexible working arrangements    

 Essential requirements:     

Applicants must have,   

A first-class honours degree or upper second-class degree (2:1) in a relevant subject, for example, pure or applied science or law.  (A lower second-class degree (2:2) may be considered with suitable work experience).  

Excellent communication skills.  

Demonstrable organisational skills  

A full driving licence.  

Desirable requirements      

Knowledge or experience of Environmental Health  

Customer handling experience.  

Demonstrable self management and time management     

           skills      

For further information about this vacancy, please contact Liam Howley (Community and Environmental Health Manager) on tel no. 07896037747 or email liam.howley@northumberland.gov.uk for an informal discussion.   

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.