Somerset Council
Senior Environmental Health Officer
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Closing date: 12 August 2026
Interviews: week commencing 14 September 2026
Salary: Grade 9 - £41,771 to £46,142 per annum
Join Somerset Council's Food & Safety Team
Are you an experienced Environmental Health Officer looking to step into a key leadership role at a time of exciting change?
We're seeking a Senior Environmental Health Officer to join our Food & Safety Team and play a pivotal role in shaping how Somerset Council delivers its statutory Food Safety functions under the revised Food Law Code of Practice and Practice Guidance.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys improving standards, driving best practice and supporting others to deliver consistently high-quality work. As part of a large and diverse authority, you'll have the opportunity to influence service delivery, lead technical workstreams and help develop the systems, policies and procedures that support our Food & Safety service.
By joining Somerset Council, you will be part of a supportive and forward-thinking team that values professional expertise, encourages collaboration, and supports ongoing professional development.
Role Summary
As a Senior Environmental Health Officer, you will take a leading role in developing, reviewing and implementing policies, procedures and operational guidance to ensure the Council's Food & Safety service remains compliant with legislative requirements and reflects best practice.
Working closely with managers and colleagues across the service, you will help ensure that changes arising from the revised Food Law Code of Practice and Practice Guidance are effectively interpreted, communicated and embedded within day-to-day operations. You will provide technical leadership, support service improvement initiatives and contribute to the delivery of a consistent, high-quality regulatory service across Somerset.
Alongside this strategic and developmental work, you will provide professional support and guidance to colleagues, contribute to training and mentoring activities and undertake reactive and proactive Food Safety and Health & Safety work where required.
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This role is ideal for an experienced Environmental Health professional who can confidently interpret complex legislation, develop practical solutions and support teams through change while maintaining excellent service delivery.
What You'll Do
- Lead the development, review and implementation of Food & Safety policies, procedures and operational guidance.
- Ensure service documentation reflects current legislation, the Food Law Code of Practice, Practice Guidance and other recognised professional standards.
- Support the implementation of changes arising from revisions to legislation, codes of practice and regulatory requirements.
- Provide technical advice, coaching, mentoring and training to colleagues across the service.
- Support managers in delivering continuous improvement and service development initiatives.
- Monitor, review and promote consistency of regulatory decision-making and service delivery.
- Interpret complex legislation, guidance and technical information, translating requirements into clear and practical operational procedures.
- Contribute to the investigation of complex, high-risk or sensitive cases and provide technical support to officers where required.
- Undertake reactive and proactive Food Safety and Health & Safety interventions, inspections and investigations as necessary.
- Build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, regulatory bodies and partner agencies.
- Maintain up-to-date professional knowledge and contribute to the development of best practice across the service.
What We're Looking For – Knowledge, Experience and Skills
- Degree-level qualification in Environmental Health (BSc (Hons), MSc or equivalent).
- EHORB registration (or equivalent professional registration).
- Substantial experience in Food Safety and Health and Safety regulation and enforcement.
- Strong understanding of Food Safety legislation, the Food Law Code of Practice and associated Practice Guidance.
- Experience of developing, reviewing or implementing policies, procedures or operational guidance.
- Ability to interpret complex legislation and translate legal and technical requirements into practical operational processes.
- Experience of supporting, coaching, mentoring or training colleagues.
- Up-to-date knowledge of Environmental Health legislation, regulatory frameworks and enforcement practices.
- Knowledge and understanding of PACE, RIPA, data protection principles and relevant regulatory procedures.
- Experience of managing complex or challenging casework and providing technical advice on enforcement matters.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, including report writing, presentations and stakeholder engagement.
- Excellent organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues, partners, businesses and other stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes within deadlines.
- A positive, adaptable and solutions-focused approach to work.
- Full driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to travel effectively throughout Somerset.
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Additional Information
12-month FTC - Full-time role – 37 hours per week.
Travel required across the county, with a mix of office, home and site-based working.
Occasional evening and weekend working may be required.
A generous benefits package that supports your wellbeing, work-life balance and ongoing development
For an informal chat about the role, please contact Emily Vining, Food & Safety Manager at emily.vining@somerset.gov.uk.
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