Principal Private Sector Housing Enforcement and Licensing Officer

Principal Private Sector Housing Enforcement and Licensing Officer

£41,607 - £48,576

Permanent, Full-time

Location: Queens Road, London SE15 2HP

Ref: SC04601

About Southwark:

Southwark is a large, ambitious and progressive council with a ‘can do’ attitude and enviable reputation. As a Council, we are successful, passionate and forward-thinking. We are committed to our ‘Fairer Futures for All’ promise which ensures that our residents and businesses are central to everything we do. If you want to make a difference at a local level, apply to Southwark Council today.

The Role:

To provide expert and specialist knowledge to a regulatory service that is responsible for protecting the community, using relevant legislation to control and enforce in the Private Sector Housing Enforcement and Licensing Team.

To assist in the maintenance and improvement of the borough’s environment and well-being by identifying, investigating and effectively dealing with breaches of legislation through written or verbal advice or warnings, notices, seizures and other legal action in accordance with the Enforcement Concordat, and Enforcement Protocol.

The post holder will assist with the organisation and training, including tutoring of junior officer and trainees who may not be Southwark employees, providing mentoring and guidance to Enforcement Officers.

The post holder will be prepared to represent the division, department and council on matters relating to their area of professional expertise.

Key duties include:

• To represent the business unit and council as a witness, and give expert evidence in court proceedings, tribunals, and public inquiries as required.
• To represent the business unit and council at public meetings, conferences and seminars as required.
• To assist in the organisation and implementation of training provided by the team for other members of the staff or guests, including tutoring of junior officers.
• Provide mentoring and guidance to enforcement officers, and provide day to day coaching to enhance the quality of their enforcement case work.
• Providing expert advice to enforcement officers within the team, the unit, business unit and where necessary the council on complex/technical enforcement issues
• To provide input to the development of business unit policies and procedures, taking into account changes to legislation, guidance and policy covering their area of expertise
• To provide input to the development of the strategic business plan for the unit in conjunction with the team leader, and the unit manager.
• To participate in and contribute positively to appraisal and development processes for self and other staff as appropriate.

About You:

We are looking for an experienced Environmental Health Housing Enforcement Officer who is focused on ensuring that we deliver the highest standards of customer care while fulfilling our statutory responsibilities.

Strong communication skills are important and you will be required to work with other Council departments, members of the public, tenants and landlords.

You must have:

• A minimum of 2 years relevant post-qualification experience within the field of Private Sector Housing Enforcement & Licensing.
• Experience of providing expert/specialist advice and guidance within Private Sector Housing Enforcement & Licensing.
• Experience of enforcing relevant legislation in accordance with enforcement concordats and protocols.
• Experience in preparing legal papers and appearing as a witness in court.
• Experience in managing and prioritising a complex caseload within specific time scales.

Additional details

• A relevant degree in an appropriate discipline or an equivalent academic or professional qualification
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Hours of work – 36 hours per week
• Permanent contract

Benefits and more information:

In your role, we want you to feel supported, challenged and rewarded. You will benefit from our family-friendly policies including flexible working, home working, and a local government pension scheme, plus many other staff benefits. You will join a friendly, supportive team that strives for excellence and values its members. To find out more about our benefits, please visit https://jobs.southwark.gov.uk/why-us/

Recruitment timetable

Closing date: 17th January 2022 at 23:59.

Interview date: 27th January 2022.

To apply please click here