Public Protection Officer

Public Protection Officer – Environmental Protection / Noise and Statutory Nuisance

Location: Romford

Job Type: Temporary

Duration: 3 months with potential extension

Pay Rate: £50 per hour PAYE holiday inclusive

Hours: 36 hours per week

Working Arrangement: Hybrid – office-based, remote working and site visits

Start Date: ASAP

Working Hours: Some work outside core business hours may be required.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Public Protection Officer to join the Environmental Protection team, specialising in noise investigations, statutory nuisance and regulatory enforcement. The successful candidate will investigate complaints, ensure compliance with relevant legislation, take appropriate enforcement action and manage a varied caseload.

The role will also involve providing technical comments on planning and licensing applications, assessing Section 61 consents, preparing evidence for legal proceedings and supporting Public Protection projects. Experience across other Environmental Protection disciplines would be advantageous.

Working Arrangement: Hybrid working, including office attendance, remote working and site visits. Some pre-arranged work outside core hours will be required.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate complaints relating to noise pollution, statutory nuisance and wider Environmental Protection matters.
• Conduct site inspections, investigations and proactive compliance checks to identify breaches of relevant legislation.
• Manage a varied enforcement caseload, including preparing and serving statutory notices and progressing cases in line with Council policies.
• Provide technical advice and comments on planning applications, licensing applications and Section 61 consents.
• Use noise monitoring equipment where required to support investigations and assess potential statutory nuisance.
• Prepare case files, gather evidence, maintain accurate records and attend court hearings to present evidence and support or lead prosecutions.
• Undertake proactive inspections and enforcement activities to ensure statutory duties are met.
• Support Public Protection projects, performance monitoring and continuous service improvement.
• Liaise with residents, businesses, elected members, senior managers and external agencies to resolve complaints and achieve positive outcomes.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, enforcement procedures and technical guidance.

Essential Requirements

• Proven experience investigating noise complaints, statutory nuisance and Environmental Protection matters.
• Experience managing a multi-disciplinary enforcement caseload and progressing investigations through to resolution.
• Strong knowledge of relevant environmental legislation, statutory duties and enforcement procedures.
• Experience undertaking inspections, preparing reports, gathering evidence and taking appropriate enforcement action.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and customer service skills, with the ability to engage professionally with a range of stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads, meet deadlines and achieve performance targets.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and case management systems.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a wider Public Protection team.
• A relevant degree, diploma or academic/professional qualification in a specialist area, or equivalent.
• A current driving licence and flexibility to undertake pre-arranged work outside core business hours.

Desirable Experience

• Experience using noise monitoring equipment and undertaking technical noise assessments.
• Experience across additional Environmental Protection or Public Protection disciplines.
• Experience providing technical advice on planning and licensing applications and assessing Section 61 consents.
• Experience preparing prosecution cases, attending court hearings and presenting evidence.
• Experience supporting projects, performance monitoring and service improvement initiatives.
• Membership of a relevant professional organisation.