Environmental Health Officer

Harlow Regeneration Partnership; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in Harlow is seeking an experienced Environmental Health Officer to join the Private Sector Housing Team. The role requires expertise in HHSRS inspections and HMO licensing, with a focus on enforcing standards and improving well-being in the community. Successful candidates will have strong communication skills and the ability to adapt to regulatory changes. This is a full-time position offering opportunities for professional development and a positive work-life balance.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Pension scheme

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in all aspects of private sector housing work.
• Technically competent in HHSRS inspections and HMO licensing.
• Ability to meet target deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead housing enforcement and licensing objectives.
• Develop existing practices and implement new working methods.
• Ensure compliance with the Renters Reform Bill.

Skills

HHSRS inspections

HMO licensing

financial penalties enforcement

verbal communication skills

written communication skills

Education

Environmental Health degree

Job description

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated individual to join the Private Sector Housing Team. You will be joining our friendly team where your skills and judgement will count, and there will be variety and opportunities to stretch your capabilities.

We are looking to recruit a specialist who is experienced and technically competent in all aspects of private sector housing work including HHSRS inspections, HMO licensing, financial penalties and enforcement within target deadlines. This diverse and challenging role provides a great opportunity to make a real difference to people’s health and well-being.

You will be hitting the ground running and encouraged to develop existing practices and take forward new ways of working. Displaying excellent verbal and written communication skills, flexibility in working patterns and practices, the successful candidate will play a central role in the delivery of housing enforcement and licensing objectives and be prepared to meet the challenges of the Renters Reform Bill.

This will be a good opportunity to further your knowledge and experience, and the Council will offer appropriate support to the successful candidate in their professional development. We will consider applications for job share or from environmental health graduates who may be starting a career in private sector housing.

This position may also be offered as a development plan opportunity, which will be bespoke to the individual applicant, including the commencing grade/salary.

Harlow, located in the West of Essex, is an ideal location to both live and work and is only thirty minutes from London and Stansted Airport with good transport links. The district and surrounding area are undergoing significant new development and regeneration as part of its transformation into a Garden Town.

Responsibilities

Deliver housing enforcement and licensing objectives within target deadlines. Apply professional judgment across private sector housing work, including HHSRS inspections, HMO licensing, financial penalties and enforcement.

Develop and implement new practices as part of continuous improvement. Communicate effectively in writing and verbally with internal teams and external stakeholders. Be prepared to meet the challenges of evolving legislation such as the Renters Reform Bill.

Qualifications and requirements

Experienced and technically competent in all aspects of private sector housing work, including HHSRS inspections, HMO licensing, financial penalties and enforcement within target deadlines.

Flexible in working patterns and practices; able to operate in a shift toward enhanced enforcement and licensing delivery.

We will consider applications from environmental health graduates who may be starting a career in private sector housing; there is also a development plan option bespoke to the individual applicant.

How to apply and contact

Interested? Please ring Steven Adams 01279 446105 or Norah Nolan 01279 446132

To apply please visit www.harlow.gov.uk/jobs

Closing date for applications: Sunday 14 September 2025

Harlow Council is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. People with disabilities will be offered an interview where they meet the Essential Criteria on the Employee Profile.

Our policies support our employees by enabling a positive work/life balance. Employees will attend their contractual place of work at least 4 days each week (pro rata for part-time). The Council offers many excellent employee benefits which include, pension scheme, generous annual leave entitlement, health and wellbeing initiatives, and development opportunities.

Harlow Council is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.