Public Protection Officer

Job Title: Public Protection Officer (Food & Health & Safety)
Location: Romford
Pay Rate: £54.14 per hour
Contract Length: Until further notice

We are seeking a Public Protection Officer to join the Food, Health & Safety team at a London borough council. This is a key regulatory role focusing on delivering the food hygiene and standards inspection programme, supporting health & safety enforcement, and investigating infectious diseases and accidents. The successful candidate will play a critical role in keeping residents safe and businesses compliant.

Key Responsibilities:

• Carry out food hygiene and standards inspections in accordance with the Food Law Code of Practice.

• Investigate complaints and incidents related to food, health & safety, and infectious disease control.

• Provide regulatory comments on licensing, planning applications, and event consultations.

• Respond to service requests and undertake enforcement action, including serving notices and preparing prosecution files.

• Attend court and hearings to give evidence where required.

• Work outside normal hours occasionally to conduct monitoring visits.

• Maintain accurate case records and support multi-disciplinary enforcement activity.

Essential Criteria:

• Degree, diploma, or equivalent qualification relevant to environmental health or regulatory enforcement.

• Competent under the Food Law Code of Practice to carry out high-risk food hygiene inspections.

• Experience with the Health & Safety at Work Act and related enforcement responsibilities.

• Able to provide up-to-date CPD and a completed competency framework upon request.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a customer-focused mindset.

• Proficient IT skills including MS Office and case management systems.

• A current driving licence and the ability to travel for site visits.

Desirable:

• Membership of a relevant professional organisation (e.g., CIEH).

Work Style:

Full-time, 36 hours per week. Some work outside of business hours may be required based on service demands.