Environmental Officer

Job Title: Environmental Health Officer - Private Sector Housing (Project Role)
Rate: £28 per hour (Inside IR35)
Location: Southwark Council, Queens Road 1 (REMOTE)
Duration: 16 June 2025 - 8 September 2025
Hours: 36 hours per week (Monday to Friday, 9:00-17:00)

Southwark Council is seeking an experienced and motivated Environmental Health Officer to join our Private Sector Housing Enforcement & Licensing team on a short-term project basis.

• Investigate complaints relating to public health and private rented housing.

• Conduct property inspections using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).

• Serve statutory legal notices and take follow-up enforcement action, including Civil Penalty Notices (CPNs) or referrals for prosecution.

• Assess and process HMO and property licence applications in line with council standards.

• Evaluate floorplans and fire safety provisions.

• Ensure compliance with HMO occupancy standards and gather relevant information from applicants.

• Provide support and guidance to landlords and tenants to promote housing standards.

• Relevant degree or equivalent professional qualification.

• Continuing professional development in environmental health or a related field.

• Strong knowledge of housing legislation and local authority statutory duties.

• Experience in private sector housing enforcement and licensing.

• Ability to manage a demanding and diverse caseload to strict timelines.

• Competent in drafting legal notices and working with property plans.

• Excellent communication and customer service skills.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Strong understanding of equality, diversity, and customer care in service delivery.

• Experience of working in inner-city environments and knowledge of the related regulatory challenges.

• Ability to manage conflict and ensure personal safety in potentially challenging situations.