Environmental Health Officer / Trainee EHO

This is Cambridge – a city like no other.

A world-renowned centre of academic excellence, innovation and heritage, where medieval streets sit alongside cutting-edge science parks, and where Environmental Health plays a vital role in keeping a complex, vibrant and fast-moving city safe, healthy and thriving.

At Cambridge City Council, our Environmental Health & Public Safety Team sits right at the heart of this. We are ambitious, visible and deeply embedded in the life of the city – from bustling commercial districts and independent businesses to iconic university colleges, major events and a globally recognised nightlife and cultural scene.

What makes this role exceptional

Whether you join us as a qualified Environmental Health Officer or a Trainee Environmental Health Officer working towards qualification, you will be part of a team delivering real impact every day across one of the most diverse and high-profile environments in local government.

In Commercial & Licensing especially, no two days are ever the same. You will be:

• Inspecting restaurants, cafés, hotels and street food traders in a city known for world-class hospitality and innovation
• Investigating food, Health and Safety complaints
• Investigating infectious diseases
• Supporting the safety and success of major public events, including May Balls, student celebrations, outdoor festivals and city-wide cultural events
• Working closely with licensing colleagues, police and event organisers to shape a safe and vibrant nighttime economy
• Investigating complaints for licensing and statutory nuisances primarily within commercial premises you will already be dealing with and responding to incidents and taking proportionate enforcement action where needed
• Advising businesses, supporting compliance and helping high-profile venues operate safely and successfully
• Playing a key role in protecting public health across one of the UK’s most dynamic commercial and visitor economies

This is a role where your decisions matter – where your professional judgement directly shapes the safety, reputation and experience of a globally recognised city.

If you want work that genuinely influences how a world-famous city functions – from its nightlife and major events to its businesses and communities – this is your opportunity to make a real impact.

Who we are looking for

We are open to two entry points:

Environmental Health Officer (qualified level):
You will bring experience, confidence and full professional competence to manage complex casework, make enforcement decisions and act as a key technical lead across the service.

Trainee Environmental Health Officer (development pathway):
You will be developing towards qualification, with a strong academic foundation in Environmental Health, a willingness to learn and the ability to apply yourself in a fast-paced, real-world regulatory environment with structured support and mentoring.

You will need to indicate within your application which role specifically you wish to be considered for.

Across both levels, we are looking for people who are:

• Passionate about protecting public health and improving places
• Confident communicators, able to engage with businesses, residents and partners
• Comfortable working in a complex regulatory environment
• Organised, resilient and able to manage competing priorities
• Curious, proactive and committed to professional development

Why join us?

Working in Cambridge means being part of something genuinely unique. This is not a standard Environmental Health role – it’s a chance to shape one of the most historically significant, internationally recognised and fast-evolving cities in the UK.

You will be joining a supportive, highly skilled team within a council that values professional expertise, collaboration and innovation. We invest in our people and give you the autonomy and support to grow.

In addition we offer a wide range of benefits, including:

• Excellent learning and development opportunities supported via a range of sources and methods and, where applicable, recognised through Digital Badges
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme(LGPS) and Additional Voluntary Contribution (Shared AVC) Scheme
• Agile and Flexible working options
• Generous annual leave starting at 25 days, rising to 30 days after five years’ service, plus 8 days public holidays (pro rata for part time), with the option to purchase additional leave
• Family friendly policies and Flexible Bank Holidays
• Confidential wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme and Your Care wellbeing platform
• Staff reward and recognition framework, including an annual staff awards ceremony
• Professional Membership Fees paid for, dependent on role
• Salary sacrifice schemes including Cycle to Work, Gym Membership and Home & Electronics
• Lifestyle Savings with over 750 discounts from the UK’s leading retailers, restaurants, supermarkets, attractions and more
• Free swimming at CCC swimming pools
• Subsidy for public transport
• Relocation Assistance may be payable in approved cases
• Annually negotiated pay and award progression

Hours: This is a full-time role, for 37 hours per week.

Although the role is advertised as full time, if you believe you have the skills and experience to join us and would like to discuss different working patterns, please do get in touch.

Contract: Permanent

Salary: The two entry points attract the following salaries:

Environmental Health Officer (qualified level): £41,771 - £47,181 per annum (City Pay Band 6), pro rata for part time

Trainee Environmental Health Officer (development pathway): £29,540 - £32,061 per annum (City Pay Band 3), pro rata for part time

Location: This is flexible – working in and around the District in Cambridge or at one of our offices or working from home. You will be able to balance your work location accordingly.

Interview Date: W/C 17th August 2026

More Information:

You can click on the links here to find out more information about Staff Pay and Benefits, Working for the Council, our Values & Behaviours, Equality & Diversity in Recruitment or Our People & Culture Strategy.

If you would like an informal chat, please contact Yvonne O’ Donnell on 01223 457951 or email Yvonne.ODonnell@cambridge.gov.uk

Application Process:

To be considered for this role, please click ‘Apply Online’ and submit an application. Please download and review the Job Description & Person Specification for each role, to understand the requirements for each position.You will need to indicate within your application which role specifically you wish to be considered for.

If you are an internal candidate you can apply by logging in to your Employee Self-Serve (ESS) and access the ‘Useful Links’ (top right of the dashboard, under the person icon) and click on ‘CCC Job Opportunities’.

Cambridge City Council recognises the value of digital badges in evidencing skills, knowledge and competencies, and welcomes their inclusion within job applications as verifiable indicators of achievement and capability.

Cambridge City Council is an Equal Opportunity employer and embraces diversity, creating an inclusive environment for all employees.