East Herts Council covers the eastern third of Hertfordshire, encompassing the bustling market towns of Hertford, Ware, Bishop’s Stortford, Sawbridgeworth and Buntingford and large numbers of rural communities.  The East Herts Environmental Health Service is a forward-looking service which plays a pivotal role in protecting and promoting the health and wellbeing of the 145,000 residents of East Herts. This post is full-time (37-hours per week), permanent and based in our Wallfields offices in Hertford.

Job Summary

To support the effective delivery of the Environmental Health Team’s functions by:

• using professional skills and knowledge to proactively identify, investigate, analyse, evaluate and advise on issues and solutions relating to air quality management, contaminated land, land drainage issues, statutory nuisances and related environmental health issues
• supporting the Service Manager – Environmental Health to put in place robust, up-to-date policies, procedures, strategies and actions plans relating the delivery of all the council’s environmental health responsibilities relating to this post

To play an active role in delivering the highest quality Environmental Health services possible including working across service boundaries to deliver the Council’s service plans.

Core Accountabilities

1. Provide specialist technical and legislative advice and expertise on matters relating to air quality, contaminated land, flood risk and drainage, including by
   • championing the role of East Herts Council in reducing environmental degradation by virtue of compromised air quality, contaminated land, flood risk and poor drainage
   • ensuring robust processes are in place to enable the detailed examination of planing applications with regard to contaminated land, air quality , flooding risk and drainage considerations and provide the relevant planning authority with the Council's Environmental Health response, including recommending any conditions that should be attached to the planning permission as appropriate
   • supporting the Service Manager - Environmental Health in submitting reports and completing monitoring in accordance with Government or other guidance
2. Devise and implement strategies, policies, and programmes of work to ensure the Council’s adopts a robust approach to air quality management, including engaging with the national, regional and local stakeholders.
3. Investigate contaminated land and advise on and evaluate remediation schemes to ensure land is cleared of contamination or the risks are reduced to satisfactory levels in accordance with the relevant guidance.
4. Research and document responses to land search enquiries to provide relevant information on historical and current land use which may affect a site.
5. Working in conjunction with the Service Manager – Environmental Health, devise, review, update and publicise policies and procedures, including assisting in gaining political approval where required.  
6. Provide update briefings for staff and members in line with changes in national legislation and guidance.
7. Support a culture of commercial awareness, continuous improvement and innovation underpinned by collecting and using customer insight information, market intelligence and budgetary and performance data.
8. Ensure that relevant and effective budget and risk management is in place at all times, including regularly reviewing revenue and capital budgets and grant programmes managed by the team on behalf of wider partnerships.
9. Assist in the promotion of an environment that treats people with respect and enables them to develop and realise their potential, modelling the Council’s values and work in accordance with health and safety, equal opportunities and environmental policies.
10. Contribute to the Council’s digital programme, ensuring services are designed for the future and that the overall development and success of the Council is in line with its vision and corporate priorities.
11. Develop and deliver efficient, customer-focused services underpinned by a can-do approach while ensuring excellent customer satisfaction.

Management / Supervisory / Team Working Responsibilities

1. Support the Environmental Health Team, ensuring best practice is shared with others and the team leads by example.
2. Enable the team to work across service, location and other boundaries to ensure the delivery of the corporate strategic plan.
3. Ensure the team actively works with partners across the public sector family to ensure the council is innovative and commercial in its approach and delivery.
4. Develop the team and individuals, nurture talent and get the most from individuals while supporting career development and inspiring individuals to achieve own goals.
5. Ensure all staff management issues including effective performance management, sickness and absence management, health and safety, equalities, diversity, discipline and development are dealt with in timely way with a high level of competence.
6. Support individuals to model the Council’s values and behaviours.

Communication and Contacts

1. Contribute to the council’s internal and external communications processes ensure excellent relationships are maintained with elected members, partners, the public and the media.
2. Support opportunities to work with other organisations, responding to the opportunities presented by partnership working, to realise their full potential to enrich council services.  
3. Act as an advocate for the council and create opportunities to enhance the council’s performance, reputation and image externally with local and other stakeholders.

Financial / Budgetary Responsibilities

1. Manage all revenue and capital budgets associated with service functions, in accordance with financial regulations.
2. Deliver value-for-money customer focused services.
3. Work with the Service Manager – Environmental Health to deliver efficiency gains on a year-on-year basis.
4. Explore and identify new funding opportunities by being innovative and commercial.

Other

1. Prioritise your own professional development and strive to ensure your professional knowledge is up-to-date.
2. Develop professional networks and grow the positive reputation of the East Herts Council across your areas of responsibility and beyond.
3. Undertake any other duties and responsibilities appropriate and relevant to the manager post.