Air Quality Education and Enforcement Officer

This role is fixed term for 2 years due to projects

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated professional to join our dynamic and friendly Pollution Control Team in the Public Health Department at Sandwell Council, based in the heart of the West Midlands, on a fixed-term contract for 2 years.

We are currently expanding our team to support the delivery of our 2020-2025 Air Quality Action Plan and our recently declared boroughwide Smoke Control Area that comes into force on 1 July 2024.

Sandwell Council is committed to taking proactive steps to reduce the growing threat to public health from domestic burning, which is responsible for significant emissions of harmful fine particulate matter (PM_2.5). Emissions of PM_2.5 from indoor domestic burning have grown in recent years due to the rising popularity of solid fuel burning stoves and open fireplaces, whilst PM_2.5 emissions from outdoor domestic burning, such as bonfires and firepits have also continued to negatively impact our local air quality.

This new education-led enforcement role will play a key part in supporting Sandwell’s commitment to reducing the harm from PM_2.5 emissions. The role will focus on raising public awareness around the health, environmental and financial costs associated with domestic burning, and will assist residents in making better and more informed choices to reduce harmful emissions and improve public health.

As our Air Quality Education and Enforcement Officer, you will:

• Lead on the delivery of education and public awareness campaigns to reduce harmful emissions of PM₅, with a focus on Sandwell’s new Boroughwide Smoke Control Area, and the rules around outdoor burning (e.g. bonfires).
• Encourage, and facilitate open and positive communication with a wide range of stakeholders to demonstrate how compliance with legislation can benefit their health, their finances and their local environment.
• Engage your professional skills and experience to respond to enquiries, undertake formal investigations and satisfactorily resolve domestic air pollution complaints.
• Support businesses and retailers across the borough with advice and guidance relating to the sale of solid fuels and where appropriate undertake enforcement action to ensure legislative compliance.
• Be able to use the full range of enforcement actions as required to secure compliance, including verbal advice, written warnings, civil financial penalty notices, abatement notices and prosecutions.
• Be innovative and forward-thinking both in your approach to your workload as well as developing relationships with colleagues in Public Health and across the Council.

Essential requirements

• Hold a relevant degree or HND level or equivalent and be able to demonstrate evidence of continuous professional development.
• Two years or more of experience as an enforcement officer, including the ability to gather and collect evidence as required for formal action to be taken.
• Knowledge and practical understanding of air quality legislation including determining statutory nuisance offences and breaches of smoke control area rules.
• Have experience of or participated in health education campaigns or other initiatives that encouraged and supported behavioural change.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present to a wide range of audiences.

Our offer to you:

We are committed to the development of everyone in our team and we want you to grow your skills and confidence with us. We will support you through regular 1-2-1s, team meetings and away days as well as via our appraisal reviews where we can identify relevant training and continuous professional development opportunities for you.

Closing date: 25 March 2024.

For an informal discussion, please contact Elizabeth Stephens on 07814 268128 or Email elizabeth_stephens@sandwell.gov.uk

Please click the link below to fill out an application form and return to hrresourcing_applications@sandwell.gov.uk

Please note, we are not currently accepting CVs

Hours

37 hours per week

The council operates hybrid working. This involves working from an agreed workplace location in the borough for at least two days a week.

We reserve the right to close vacancies prior to their advertised date if we receive a large number of applications. Therefore, you are strongly advised to complete and return your application as soon as possible. When completing your application please refer to the supporting documents attached.

If you have a disability and require assistance in making an application, or have experienced a problem whilst applying for a position, please contact the Resourcing Team on 0121 569 3300 or via e-mail to: hr_resourcing@sandwell.gov.uk

For more information about working for Sandwell Council, our recruitment process and our offer to you please visit https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/counciljobs

Click here to find out more about our One Team Framework: Values and Behaviours.

Supporting documents
Job Description
Personnel Specification
Information for applicants
Application form