Food & Safety Officer

We’re looking for a motivated Food & Safety Officer to help us promote, maintain and improve public health through advice, guidance and proportionate enforcement—primarily with local businesses across the partnership areas. You’ll be based at our Sittingbourne office with flexible hybrid working.

What you’ll do

• Deliver inspections, interventions and investigations as part of our planned programme—mainly in Swale and Maidstone, with flexibility to support across the partnership when needed. Keep accurate records in line with service procedures.
• Provide clear, practical guidance to help businesses comply with food hygiene and health & safety legislation; take appropriate enforcement action where necessary (including statutory notices and supporting legal proceedings).
• Investigate complaints and incidents relating to public health and safety, including food and infectious disease control, taking timely action to minimise risk.
• Work with partners on initiatives that support corporate and service outcomes, and contribute to continuous improvement across the Food & Safety Team.
• Play your part in business continuity and emergency planning activities across Maidstone, Swale and Tunbridge Wells Borough Councils when required.

About you:

Essential

• Proven experience delivering food and health & safety interventions to businesses and engaging a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience supporting enforcement action (e.g., providing evidence/appearing in court).
• Higher Certificate in Food Premises Inspection with Food Inspection Endorsement (EHRB/IFST or equivalent) and EHRB (or equivalent) registration; evidence of continued professional development.
• Strong working knowledge of food safety legislation, relevant Codes of Practice and their application to business environments; good IT skills (MS Office; databases).
• Full UK driving licence and use of a car for work.

Desirable

• NEBOSH General Certificate (or NVQ Level 3 in Occupational H&S) and knowledge of H&S legislation and guidance in business settings.
• Experience in local authority, specialist food safety audits for approved premises, and outcomes across wider public health (including infectious disease control).
• Familiarity with Uniform and i‑Trent software.

What we offer:

• Financial: An attractive basic salary within a clear pay structure
• Holiday Entitlement: 26 days annual leave (increasing to 29 days after 5 years continuous Local Government service) plus three additional days in December and bank holidays.
• Employee Assistance Programme: The Council has partnered with Health Assured to provide staff with access to EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) to assist in balancing everyday life with the requirement of work and home.
• Free staff parking and an essential car user allowance of £1000 per annum (pro-rated for part time staff).
• Pensions: Membership of the Local Government (CARE – Career Average (Revalued Earnings) Pension Scheme – Employer contribution of 19.7%.
• Personal Development: Invaluable training opportunities for continuing professional development.
• Take a look here at all the additional benefits that we offer.

Interview date: 13 January 2026

Equal Opportunities

Tunbridge Wells – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Safeguarding

The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.