Environmental Protection Officer

Job Purpose and Person Specification

Deliver the Council’s full range of statutory Environmental Protection, Public Health, pollution control, animal licensing and regulatory services to protect public health and the environment across East Suffolk.

Investigate complaints, carry out inspections, gather evidence, and take proportionate enforcement action in line with legislation, PACE, RIPA, CPIA, HRA and the Council’s enforcement policy.

Prepare reports, licences, notices, prosecution files and provide regulatory advice, including representing the Council at court, planning and licensing hearings as required by grade.

Work collaboratively with internal teams, external partners and agencies to address environmental crime, noise nuisance, antisocial behaviour and wider public health risks.

Progressively provide specialist technical expertise (Band 8+) and lead on complex, contentious or high‑risk cases within defined Environmental Protection disciplines.

At senior and principal level, mentor and support less experienced officers, supervise staff, allocate work and contribute to recruitment, performance management and training.

Represent the Council professionally to stakeholders, regulators, contractors, professional bodies and government agencies, influencing policy and best practice.

Manage projects, resources and (at Band
9) budgets and contractors, supporting service planning, performance reporting and continuous improvement.

Maintain up-to‑date technical knowledge, professional membership and CPD, ensuring compliance with legislation, data protection, safeguarding and health and safety duties.

Operate flexibly, including out‑of‑hours work and emergency response, upholding the Council’s values and high standards of integrity at all times.

Degree (or equivalent Level
6) in Environmental Health or a related Environmental Protection discipline, with membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. CIEH, IAQM, IEMA); chartered status and postgraduate qualifications required at Principal level.

Sound to extensive knowledge of Environmental Protection legislation and regulatory frameworks, including PACE, CPIA, RIPA, Human Rights, data protection, health & safety, safeguarding and equality duties.

Experience investigating Environmental Protection matters, gathering evidence, preparing reports, licences and prosecution files, and applying proportionate enforcement action appropriate to grade.

Ability to manage complex and sensitive cases, interpret technical data, undertake inspections, sampling or monitoring, and provide clear, evidence‑based advice to a range of stakeholders.

Essential – Degree or equivalent Level 6 qualification in Environmental Health or an Environmental Protection related subject.

Awareness of (and for Bands 8 and 9 a detailed knowledge of):

• PACE 1984
• CPIA 1996
• RIPA 2000
• Human Rights Act 1998
• Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
• General Data Protection Regulation 2016
• FOI 2000
• EIR 2004
• Equality, diversity and inclusion
• Safeguarding

Must be mobile / have access to a car to attend business meetings at other sites / locations within the district on a regular basis.

Ability to work regularly outside normal office hours, including at weekends and at night.

Working Pattern – Hybrid (Depending on what work is required), 1+ weekly site visits.

Charge rate – Flexible (£50‑60 p/h via Umbrella) Inside IR35.

Please see job description attached.

Hours Per Week : 37.00

Start Date : 02/02/2026

End Date : 31/03/2026

Start Time : 09:00

End Time : 17:00