Specialist Environmental Health Officer (Housing - Fire Safety)

Start: ASAP

Location: West Midlands

Rate: £45 - £50ph Umbrella Inside IR35 (dependant on experience)

Duration: 3 months initially (likely to extend to 12 Months)

Team: PRS, Specialist Fire Safety Team

Work pattern: Hybrid

The Person:

Our client is seeking an energetic and motivated Specialist EHO, who is suitably qualified, knowledgeable and highly experienced in private rented housing to join a newly created ‘Specialist Fire Safety team’s, to protect life from existing fire risk, threat and spread. To ensure our inner-city high rise residential blocks are safe from fire risk, so improving and making a difference to resident’s lives.

Personal specification:

You will already be working as a lead/specialist EHO, for private sector housing in a busy Housing authority
It is essential you possess an expert and detailed understanding of private sector housing legislation/ codes of practice and have the ability to exercise sound professional judgement in its interpretation and implementation
It is essential you will have an in-depth knowledge of the HHSRS and its practical application
It is desirable to have experience in using the HHSRS operating guidance: addendum for the profile for the hazard of fire and in relation to cladding systems on high-rise residential buildings, or experience in assessing the hazard of fire in similar complex buildings
Ideally you will have expert knowledge of fire safety features and systems associated with high-rise/ complex residential buildings
It would be advantageous to have experience in giving expert advice in court, tribunals, public hearings or committees
Experience would be advantageous in taking prosecutions
It will be essential to have experience of multi-agency, stakeholder and partnership working
Experience of managing a team would be essential to take a lead on SFST site visits
Experience of collaborating and communicating with a wide range of staff, business contacts and residents from varied backgrounds would be crucial
Excellent IT skills and computer literacy to include M3 and other software used to record data for the SFST
As a team player you will ensure the SFST works collectively and in a professional manner yet be self-motivated and able to work individually, when needed
Ideally you will be able to lead the SFST, sometimes project manage the site visit and have the ability to motivate SFST members in difficult situations
During site visits it will be essential to take accurate notes, detailed observations on technical fire safety related findings
You will have excellent verbal communication and organisation skills and be able to plainly present and explain technical housing detail to a range of recipients
You will also be able to draft, develop and write up inspection/ audit findings and reports

Requirements

A formal Environmental Health qualification that is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH)
You must be EHORB registered and have a current membership with the CIEH, and ideally chartered, and have maintained your hours of CPD
At least 3 years’ experience in a specialist or lead Environmental Health Officer position within a Housing Authority
You should be receptive, or willing to receive further specialist fire safety, or any other training, the section perceives as valuable
Competent using and applying the Housing Act 2004, and has an acceptable knowledge and can demonstrate operational experience in carrying out HHSRS assessments; to include the hazard of fire
It is desirable the candidate has worked in joint working operations with colleagues in private/ public sector housing authorities
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
Can formulate reports and able to draft and serve notices

If you meet the above-mentioned criteria, we would love to hear from you. Please apply to receive more information.

At Venn Group, we endeavour to respond to all applications. However due to the volume of applications we receive, if you have not heard from us within 48 hours please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.