Environmental Health Officer– Private Sector Housing

Environmental Health Officer– Private Sector Housing

1x Fixed term (12 months), Full time 37 hours

1x Permanent, Full time 37 hours

Pay RG5 up to RG6b,£31,364 -  £39,186 (depending on role and qualifications)

+ Market Supplement for EHRB registered practitioners

Please note this role is not proposed to be offered at the Senior EHO payscale, see job description for further details on pay progression.

We are seeking enthusiastic and motivated team players to join our Private Sector Housing Team and contribute in protecting the quality of life of our residents. We are preparing to open a consultation looking to introduce both additional and selective licensing schemes.  This recognizes the importance of good housing and the key role the Private Sector landlords play in this, so it is an exciting time to join us on this journey.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the role

We have one permanent and one fixed term vacancy for an Environmental Health Officer within our Private Sector Housing Team.  You will be based at our Civic Offices in the centre of Reading but will spend significant time out of the office on inspections and there is flexibility to work from home, subject to the needs of the service.

Private Sector Housing – As an urban area we are challenged a high proportion of rented properties including licensable house in multiple occupation (hmos), many of which are in poor condition.  The successful candidate will carry out inspections and investigations looking at housing conditions across the borough.  Primarily this will be linked to compliance with the hmo mandatory licence scheme, as well as dealing with housing complaints and providing assistance and advice to tenants and landlords.  Depending on experience we are also looking for candidates who could contribute to our licensing consultation and/or carry our work relating to tall building fire safety and find new ways to deliver services in the private rented sector as well.  There is also a possibility to assist on an out of hours noise rota. 
The successful candidate will spend significant time on inspections, advising landlords on legal requirements and on the consultation process and on processing hmo licence applications.  You will work with partners both internally and externally to administer the scheme and improve property conditions for our residents.

There will be the requirement for some work outside of normal office hours, and you will need a flexible approach to your work. There is also a possibility to assist on an out of hours noise rota (there is additional payment for working on the out of hours noise rota).

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

About you

You must have a:

• EHRB/ register of Environmental Health Practitioners Registration  
• You should be able to communicate effectively with colleagues, members of the public and other agencies, both verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of the Private Rented Sector and/or a regulatory environment. 
• Possession of a current driving licence.

Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave A wide range of flexible working opportunities Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS) On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted, and a salary sacrifice scheme to help lower the cost of your nursery fees Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years.  The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax  

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact Stuart.Taylor@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date:   16 July 2024

Interview Date:  TBC

Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.