Work With Offenders - The Choices
Environmental Enforcement Officer
The aim of this role is to deal with the improvement and enforcement of street and public health standards and to generally foster and maintain community safety. The role is focussed towards enforcing the Clean Neighbourhoods Act 2005, which deals with:
- Abandoned vehicles
- Street litter
- Unauthorised distribution of literature
- Graffiti and fly-posting
- Failure to produce authority (waste transfer notes)
- Failure to furnish documentation (waste carrier’s licence)
- Offences under Dog Control Orders
- Noise from premises
It can involve any number of the following responsibilities: Carrying out patrols on foot, by bicycle of vehicle in local communities as a means of establishing a high profile uniform presence within the scheme areas, and carrying out site visits with housing and other relevant agency staff. Other duties include responding to incidents and taking appropriate, on-site action based on the position holder’s prior experience. The action taken is also a means of raising awareness of incidents emerging in the local community. It is therefore highly necessary that the candidate holder would have had experience at dealing with a community of people and on in a one-to-one setting. Strong people skills including delegation and the ability to think rationally and deal diplomatically are essential. Proven ability to work in a team management setting would be beneficial.
As well as working in a front-line enforcement setting, environmental enforcement officers carry out investigative and office-based duties. For instance, they are seen to produce and present detailed reports at regular intervals regarding environmental issues, potential problems, damage or repairs to the local area to a senior member of the team. Strong verbal and written communication skills are therefore highly desirable as well as a basic and up-to-date knowledge of environmental legislation. The position holder would carry out their work in a manner that seeks to promote anti-discriminatory behaviour in the modern professional work sphere.
As well as producing reports regarding any changes made to the local environment, the position holder will be expected to prepare, produce and defend statutory notices, proofs of evidence, witness statements and written guidance. The kind of previous experience that would be necessary for prospective candidates would be, for example, a role dealing with issuing fixed penalty notices for littering and dog fouling offences. Any role that is associated with promoting and upholding high standards of environmental health in the local community would prove greatly advantageous and evidence of an applicant’s enthusiasm. A real passion for the subject must be evident.
Qualifications: A qualification in a related area would be favourable to candidates, though not essential.
Experience: At least two years related front line work experience such as issuing fixed penalty notices or in an environmental enforcement setting.
Skills: Analysis skills, IT and written and verbal communication skills, people skills and the ability to deal with people in a one-to-one setting.
