Senior Environmental Health Officer

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Environmental Health Officer to join the Pollution Team within Mid Kent Environmental Health Services.

This is a key professional role, leading on complex environmental protection work, supporting enforcement activity, and providing technical expertise across a broad range of statutory functions that directly protect public health and the environment.

This role offers the opportunity to work at a senior professional level within a busy environmental protection service, tackling complex and meaningful work that directly improves quality of life for residents. You’ll be part of a supportive, skilled team with opportunities to influence service delivery and support the development of others.

Whether you’re stepping up into your first senior role or already able to hit the ground running, we’re committed to providing the right training and development to support you in becoming the lead officer for contaminated land over time.

About the Role

As a Senior Environmental Health Officer, you will act as the lead officer for the investigation and resolution of complex and high‑profile environmental protection complaints. You will provide specialist technical input across areas including noise nuisance, contaminated land, air quality, private water supplies and environmental permitting.

You will also play an important leadership role, deputising for the Team Leader when required and supporting the supervision, development and training of junior officers and trainees.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the investigation and resolution of complex noise, nuisance and pollution complaints under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and related legislation
• Act as technical lead for contaminated land, including reviewing and commenting on complex assessments
• Respond to planning and licensing consultations, providing professional environmental protection advice and attending committee hearings
• Undertake inspections of permitted premises and contribute to the environmental permitting regime

About You

You will be a qualified and experienced Environmental Health professional with a strong background in environmental protection and enforcement.

You must have:

• A degree (BSc or MSc) in Environmental Health
• Registration with the Environmental Health Officers Registration Board (EHORB)
• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (MCIEH / MCIEH CEnvH), or a commitment to complete membership prior to appointment
• Extensive experience in environmental protection, including complex nuisance investigations, contaminated land and noise cases
• In‑depth knowledge of key legislation, including the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and related public health and environmental legislation
• Experience of representing a local authority at court and licensing or regulatory committees
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with residents, businesses, councillors and partner organisations
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage and prioritise a demanding workload

You will also demonstrate:

• A high degree of integrity and professional judgement
• Confidence in handling confrontational situations and making balanced enforcement decisions
• A collaborative approach and commitment to team working
• The ability to mentor, support and develop less experienced officers

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.
• Pensions: Membership of the Local Government (CARE – Career Average (Revalued Earnings) Pension Scheme – Employer contribution of 19.7%.
• Free staff parking and an essential car user allowance of £1000 per annum (pro-rated for part time staff).
• Hybrid: The Council operates a hybrid working model with minimum 2 days working in the office.
• Enhanced pay through an out‑of‑hours standby allowance of £240 per week, for approximately 6 weeks per year.
• Access to HAPI an all‑in‑one benefits hub, giving you easy access to a wide range of employee perks, wellbeing support, discounts, and everyday savings.
• Personal Development: Invaluable training opportunities for continuing professional development.
• 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.
• Take a look here at all the additional benefits that we offer.

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.