Environmental Action Officer - Req23987

An exciting frontline enforcement role within the Cleaner Neighbourhoods teams. Environmental Action Officers work as part of a team which contributes towards achieving the outcome of clean streets and neighbourhoods. You will be expected to identify and investigate a range of environmental issues and take appropriate action, including educational work and enforcement, often with other agencies inside and outside the council to resolve them and change behaviours.

You will need to:

• carry out a range of preventative interventions, such as educational campaigns or activities, and enforcement activities, to tackle the root causes of environmental issues and prevent them reoccurring.
• take appropriate enforcement action, from informal action and issuing of fixed penalty notices face to face with offenders, to conducting and presenting criminal investigations for prosecution in court. 
• attend meetings such as community meetings / forums, ward member meetings, environmental sub-groups and Community Committee meetings and prepare and present information as required. 
• work with colleagues & partners, in particular the Police and Housing, to maximise their contributions towards achieving the outcome of clean streets/neighbourhoods.
• work as part of the Cleaner Neighbourhoods Team, including building close working relationships with street cleansing staff to resolve issues together. 
• to work closely with local Elected Members to achieve the outcome of cleaner streets/neighbourhoods within the framework agreed in the Service Level Agreements.

The Vacancies will have responsibilities for enforcing the current PSPO’s within Leeds.

For more information on the role please see the job description below.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period. 

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK  - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description 

Job Purpose:

To work as part of a team which contributes towards achieving the outcome of clean Streets neighbourhoods in localities, by identifying and investigating environmental issues and crimes, and taking the appropriate action to resolve and prevent such issues / crimes. 

Responsibilities:

1. To carry out a range of preventative interventions, such as educational campaigns or activities, and enforcement activities, to tackle the root causes of environmental issues.
2. To issue appropriate fixed penalty notices and other legal notices within the context of environmental enforcement.
3. To investigate environmental offences from the identification of an offence through to court action, where required.
4. To oversee and direct the work of Business Support Staff assigned to the team on key locality projects e.g. local educational campaigns, neighbourhood target areas etc.’
5. To support witnesses to offences in being able to take action against the perpetrators of environmental crimes. 
6. To provide evidence for court and attend court as a witness.
7. To attend meetings such as community meetings / forums, ward member meetings, environmental sub groups and Area Committee meetings as required. 
8. To ensure that the highest standards of customer service are provided and that customers are kept promptly and fully informed.
9. To ensure that relevant databases and information systems are kept accurately updated and reflect current work activities.
10. To contribute to the development of the service and adopt a One Council approach.
11. To contribute to gathering intelligence and statistical information which helps to measure the success of interventions.
12. To work with partners, in particular the Police and ALMOs, in order to maximise their contributions towards achieving the outcome of clean streets/neighbourhoods. 
13. To work as part of the Locality Team, including instances where assistance may be required with street cleansing functions. 
14. To build effective working relationships with street cleansing staff to resolve issues. 
15. To work with local elected Members to achieve the outcome of cleaner streets/neighbourhoods within the framework agreed in the Service Level Agreements.
16. To undertake any other duties commensurate to the grade, as required.

Location:

The appointment is to the Council; therefore an employee can be required to work at any Environment and Neighbourhoods office to fulfil the duties. The majority of our buildings have wheelchair access.

The postholder will work as part of a team and will be expected to work with team members. You will also be required to work alone whilst fulfilling field or office based tasks. 

General:

The post holder will be required to work flexible hours occasionally to meet service requirements which will usually be within the provisions of the Councils flexitime scheme (between 7am and 7pm). There may however be an occasional requirement for additional hours to be worked which will be recompensed in accordance with NJC for Local Government Service Terms and Conditions as adopted or amended by the Council or local agreement. In all circumstances a reasonable period of notice will be provided.

There may also be occasions where you could be called upon at short notice and in exceptional circumstances to provide a proportionate response to an emergency situation out of office hours, if you are able to do so. In these situations the Council has the discretion to pay an allowance in accordance with the time worked, or apply an inclusive rate of pay to take into account all features of the job.

In certain circumstances, in the interests of operational efficiency, rota cycles can be varied subject to appropriate consultation and with reasonable notice.

Car Use Allowances - if this postholder meets the criteria for essential car user status the corresponding allowance plus mileage will be paid whilst the postholder provides and maintains a vehicle for business use. Casual car user mileage is payable in accordance with local conditions of service.

Other conditions in accordance with the provisions of the scheme of Conditions of Service of the National Joint Council for the Local Government Services as adopted or amended by the Council.            

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities:  Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Method Of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview or Certificate.

Delivering excellent public services.   

• Ability to contribute to service developments relevant to the post.
• Ability to monitor performance effectively and achieve personal objectives and outcomes.
• Experience of working within a service area relevant to the post.
• Ability to understand and implement regulations, policy, and legislation.
• Ability to prepare accurate information / statistics for case files / activity reports.
• Ability to prepare letters and e-mails for communication with customers.
• Ability to investigate and assess the most appropriate course of action to resolve issues and prevent reoccurrences.
• Ability to prepare case files for formal enforcement action
• Experience in preparing case files for formal enforcement action 

Innovation and delivering change       

• Ability to put the corporate vision and values into practice.
• Ability to plan, manage and evaluate projects and workloads.
• Ability to implement systems and processes which deliver service excellence and agreed service outcomes.
• An ability to work on own initiative, embracing change and new ways of working.

Working in a local government environment 

• Understanding of the local government context.
• Understanding of the role of Elected members within the council and the community.

Influencing and personal effectiveness           

• Good communication skills, both verbal and written
• Experience of presenting information on your work.
• Ability to resolve potential conflict and to gain co-operation and trust.
• Ability to make an effective contribution to internal/external working groups and meetings, as required.
• Excellent interpersonal abilities, showing due regard for colleagues and customers alike.
• An ability to work independently and within a team, contributing to team goals through good personal performance.

Working with others      

• Ability to develop productive working relationships that command respect, trust and confidence.
• Experience of working effectively with others to deliver projects and work streams.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and adapting to changing circumstances and priorities.

Customer focus and responsiveness to local communities 

• Good understanding of the diverse needs of customers and of involving them effectively in identifying areas for service improvement.
• A commitment to the public service ethos, with a genuine interest in serving the public.
• Recognition and acceptance of the importance of the customer perspective in determining how services are best delivered.
• Experience in providing excellent services to the public.

Equality    

• Good understanding of and commitment to equality issues in both employment and service delivery

Health and safety            

• Understanding of responsibilities in terms of health and safety.
• An ability and commitment to work in a safe manner, regarding self and others.

IT

• Ability to use I.T. systems e.g. case management systems/ databases and e-mail.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

Working in a local government environment 

• Experience of reporting to and working effectively with a range of colleagues and partners

Influencing and personal effectiveness

• Experience of problem solving, individually and in a group setting 

Training, qualification or accreditation requirements

• Professional or technical qualification relevant to the work of the post

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