Key Accountabilities:
The role of environmental enforcement officer will contribute to the Councils objective in reducing environmental crime, noise and nuisance and other environmental issues enhancing Civic Pride.
1. To patrol areas, undertake observations, investigations and surveys to identify compliance with relevant legislation and give advice where necessary on any matter within the remit of the post.
2. To provide an out of hours response to noise complaints including working late nights and weekends providing a service 7 nights a week, conducting investigations into alleged breaches of noise nuisance as part of the councils objective in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour. To provide a response to other environmental nuisances considered anti social including licensing matters and other local stressors that may impact the community.
3. To investigate all environmental issues reported on public and private land related to enquiries, complaints, businesses, residents and other users of the borough which may include the use of enforcement processes including the issuing of formal notices and fixed penalty notices.
4. To identify, investigate and effectively deal with breaches of legislation through appropriate written or verbal advice or warnings, notices, fixed penalty notices and legal action in accordance with legislation and the Council’s Enforcement Strategy.
5. The post holder will participate in programmed inspections of premises or sites to make technical assessments or to check compliance with relevant legislation or other requirements as directed by the council
6. To be responsible for the drafting of legal and statutory notices and papers required to support enforcement action, including preparing legal bundles for prosecution
7. To take witness statements and gather and preserve evidence for use during investigation and in legal proceedings, to act as a witness in any court proceedings
8. Carry out periodic surveillance of the borough to identify and resolve environmental nuisances.
9. To be responsible for the management of records and data for casework related information using equipment and IT resources that are available for the efficient delivery of the service.
10. Investigation and control of noise from all sources including domestic, commercial, industrial and entertainment premises undertaking environmental monitoring, enforcement, advisory and informal actions where necessary. Use the Council’s noise prediction and monitoring equipment and other technical equipment relating to noise.
11. Undertake tests and assessments and provide evidence or recommendations with regards to the control of noise
12. To assist in the enforcement of the Council's nuisance vehicle procedure in accordance with current legislative procedures and agreed policies.
13. Assist in the discharge of the Council's duties in respect of dealing with stray dogs, dog control and dog fouling issues as directed by the Lead officer for Dogs.
14. Undertake joint work with police and other partners ensuring effective intelligence gathering and planned partnership working. To communicate with statutory organisations and enforcement partners and set up meetings as required in line with this.
15. To effectively contribute to an operational rota, that includes out of hours, weekends and evenings as required.
16. Adhering to dress code by wearing uniform and personal protective equipment (PPE) provided by the council whilst also adhering to risk assessments in relation to high visibility clothing
Statutory requirements
* To investigate complaints relating to noise and other nuisance that could be considered a statutory nuisance covered by the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
* To provide a collection service for stray dogs during normal office hours and an our of hours service for public to arrange drop off of stray dogs. The Local authority have Sole discharge of responsibility for stray dogs. Sections 149 and 150 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Environmental Protection (Stray Dogs) Regulations 1992 set out the provisions and duties of local authorities for seizing and dealing with stray dogs
Requirements :
* Be able to Demonstrate a sound understanding of environmental and statutory legislation/enforcement powers available, evidence of producing/serving legal notices and acting as a prosecution/expert witness
* Experience of undertaking enforcement activity in a similar frontline role including evidence gathering, statement writing, interviewing under Police And Criminal Evidence Act 1984 caution, use of contemporaneous notes
* Ability and demonstrable
* commitment to promoting
* Equal opportunities and where diversity is positively promoted
* A flexible approach to working hours, location and a determination to get the job done.
* Ability to work with minimum supervision and run tasks/cases to conclusion and to deadlines
* Listens to others needs and expectations responding in a sensitive manner. Taking leadership and action to prevent problems by identifying the issues and providing solutions