Food Safety Officer London, England
Job description
Do you have commercial environmental health experience? Would you like to work with us to help our businesses attain a higher rate of compliance?
As part of Islington’s Commercial Environmental Health Team, you will have the opportunity to contribute fully to the team’s key commitments to local residents and businesses in relation to food safety, infectious disease prevention. Public health work and public health complaints regarding commercial premises. Whilst your workload will be predominantly food safety you will be encouraged to act as the lead officer for a range of activities, and projects as well as contributing to our work on promoting healthy eating.
You will be responsible for securing both food hygiene and food standards improvements to a varied range of food businesses in the borough through inspection, engagement and enforcement. You will also have the chance to be involved with a range of educational activities with small businesses and third sector food providers.
You will be responsible for investigating and resolving complaints of a public health nature, such as odour nuisance or drainage issues, associated with commercial premises.
You will be required to utilise your expert knowledge of relevant legislation to identify the most appropriate enforcement action to secure compliance with legal requirements. You will also be required to collate and present evidence in court and maybe required to present evidence at certain types of licensing committee.
As an experienced enforcement officer, you will be authorised to undertake the full range of enforcement powers, including serving notices, simple cautions and Prosecutions.
You will manage a mixed caseload of reactive service requests, project work and proactive inspections. You will collect, use and analyse data to support interventions and maintain comprehensive records of actions and decision making.
You will need to establish good working relationships with business owners, complainants, UKHSA, FSA, as well as other council officers in order to achieve the best outcomes for service users.
Closing date: Sunday 2nd April 2023 at 23:59
Interview date: Tuesday 25th April 2023
For further information please contact Michelle Webb | Environmental Health Manager | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 0207 527 3852
The successful candidates will be organised and self-motivated individuals capable of working to tight deadlines to achieve targets. You will need excellent IT and communication skills and be able to demonstrate a real commitment to providing excellent customer service. You will need to be someone who is able to work as part of a team as well as working with minimal supervision
This is an exciting opportunity to gain experience within a lively and diverse borough within which the local authority is determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive.
Islington offers a 35-hour working week, generous holidays, flexible working hours
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To secure business compliance with food safety standards and to contribute the Commercial Environmental Health Team objectives and work programme.
1. Possess the necessary knowledge and experience to undertake the duties Conduct risk-based inspections of premises and complete follow up work
2. Provide professional advice on food safety issues.
3. Participate in formal and informal sampling for chemical and microbiological analysis.
4. Deal with service requests, including complaints and take appropriate action
5. Contribute to healthy eating and healthy workplace initiatives and other service plan projects
6. Take appropriate follow up action including writing letters, and reports
7. Undertake enforcement action including service of notice, simple cautions and prosecution.
8. Collect, prepare, and present evidence at court hearings
9. Maintain an up-to-date comprehensive record on all aspects of work, including inspection records and follow up action
10. Carry out all duties having regard to Primary Authority requirements
11. Participate in the operation of the service including the development of policy and practice.
12. Participate in training initiatives for businesses and awareness raising activities with community groups.
13. Liaise with the public, council services and other bodies and participate in working groups, committees etc. as required.
14. Assist with training and development of staff and trainees
15. Maintain professional competency and keep up to date with food safety legislation, codes of practice and technical requirements relevant to the post
16. Act as the lead officer for specific premises, activities and projects
17. Work occasionally outside normal office hours where the demands of the service require this.
Linked Grade: Food Safety Officer - P02
1. Carry out high risk food standards inspections
2. Advise businesses and take enforcement in relation to food labelling requirements
3. Act as the lead officer for specific projects
4. Act as a Primary Authority Partnership Lead Officer for food hygiene and/or food standards
Linked Grade: Senior Food Safety Officer – P03
1. Inspect, detain, and seize foodstuffs
2. Manage, initiate, lead, and participate in projects
3. Represent the service at meetings, and liaison groups
4. Undertake other duties commensurate to the grade of the post
- Ensure that duties are undertaken with due regard and compliance with the Data Protection Act and other legislation.
- Carry out duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Council’s Health and Safety Policy and relevant Health and Safety legislation.
