Environmental Protection Officer

The Environmental Protection Officer at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council will address environmental nuisances, including noise and public health issues, under relevant legislation. Responsibilities include proactive and reactive enforcement, community engagement, and maintaining records. The role requires participation in a rota covering both daytime and nighttime hours, indicating a need for on-site presence rather than remote work.
Role PurposeAs an Environmental Protection Officer, you will tackle environmental nuisance in noise, accumulations, public health concerns, drainage issues, premises or sites of concern and wider statutory nuisances under the Environmental Protection Act and other relevant legislation. The post is flexible covering environmental protection issues both during the daytime hours and nighttime hours. The postholder will be required to participate on a rota of weekly and weekend nights as well as business hours.Main ResponsibilitiesTo undertake proactive and reactive enforcement, working either unaccompanied, or with colleagues and/or other enforcement agencies where required, to pick up and address programmed and reactive enforcement jobs, resolving problems and dealing with customer complaints as required.To address potential reactive issues, such as nuisances, untidy sites, pests and drainage issues, at an early stage before they get out of hand. To serve legal notices as is necessary.To take part in proactive community engagement for example attending resident liaison forums and public meetings to represent the work of the Team and the Council in an excellent light.To take and action calls from members of the public and businesses, recording all activities on the Council’s database systems as required.To carry out routine proactive enforcement work within an inspection regime and within the business unit’s system for prioritising inspection risks. This may include inspection of businesses and surveillance of residential areas for compliance with the various aspects enforced by the team. This will require a working knowledge of several aspects of legislation and will also include initial response to and reporting of other issues to the relevant departments within the Council such as Street or Technical Services.To swiftly investigate and report for prosecution or other legal action those matters that cannot be quickly resolved by gaining the cooperation of the offender, and fall within the service’s enforcement policy for further action. This may include interviewing alleged offenders and taking witness statements in accordance with legal requirements, in order to compile a prosecution report or a report to various Boards of the Council.To use best practice in taking and keeping evidence, making records, giving statements, giving evidence and making representation in the Law Courts and before different Boards.To maintain excellent working relations with external enforcement agencies, such as the Police. To liaise and exchange information as required and keep up to date with best practice.To be aware of and maintain best practice health and safety procedures at all times, assessing and avoiding likely serious risk to self and others, such as potentially dangerous lone working situations. Use developed people skills and professional judgement to know when to withdraw and how to call in support if needed.To maintain and update the residential, business and inspection records appropriately.To provide public information, guidance and advice on relevant aspects of the Communities Service and the wider Council and the postholder’s work.To comply with Council policies and code of conduct.To undertake such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned, from time to time, by the Head of Public Protection and which are commensurate with the skills required and demands of the post.The Ideal Candidate will have:Previous experience of dealing with nuisance based issues.Relevant degree (or equivalent experience).Knowledge of relevant legislation including the powers and tools available to BCP Council in deterring and prosecuting nuisances, untidy sites, pests and drainage issues.Experience of working with external partners including community leaders, public sector agencies and the voluntary sector.Experience of handling and investigating complaints and respond to customer issues.Job RequirementsDBS CheckThe role holder will be required to pass the Police Vetting process to NPPV Level 2The role holder may be working with vulnerable people or those with complex or multiple service needsFull Driving LicenceCommitment to continuing professional developmentFor further information or a quick chat about the role, please contact:Joanna Barnes, Principle Officer Environmental Protection, Joanna.barnes@bcpcouncil.gov.uk 01202 127602 Claire Seymour, ASB, CSAS & Environmental Protection Manager, Claire.seymour@bcpcouncil.gov.uk 01202 126196Interviews 26 & 27 March 2025About BCP CouncilBCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, word-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.Our BenefitsWe offer an excellent benefits package for further details see hereAs a result of the creation of BCP Council in 2019, we are working on simplifying our terms and conditions of service and will be creating a single pay structure which is to be applicable for all employees. It is important to us that we offer benefits that our colleagues value as part of their total employment package and we are reviewing these to make sure we have it right. We have been in a process of collective bargaining since 2019 and have positively worked forward to reach an agreed position with the unions for the new contractual offer. This has taken longer than we hoped and therefore we are having to consider all alternative avenues available to enable us to remove inequality in the organisation as a result of bringing together 3 councils. We are in the process of establishing a timescale for implementation, and all colleagues joining us will be included in these changes. We want to reassure everyone that whichever route is taken to reach the new terms and conditions, we can honour continuous service and there will not be any job reduction as a result of the implementation of Pay and Reward. If you have any questions at all about this process, please feel free to raise this with the hiring manager.DBSBCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check. Please refer to the Job Description or Role Profile for more details.