Principal Enforcement Officer - Regulatory Health & Safety Team
Why Southwark?
Southwark is a large, ambitious and progressive council with a ‘can do’ attitude and enviable reputation. As a Council, we are successful, passionate and forward thinking. We are committed to our ‘Fairer Futures for All’ promise, which ensures that our residents and businesses are central to everything we do. If you want to make a difference at a local level, apply to Southwark Council today.
The team forms part of the Council's Regulatory Services Division which is based at our corporate headquarters just a few minutes’ walk from London Bridge Station and excellent transport links.
What You'll Be Doing
Based in our dedicated regulatory health and safety team, as an active field officer, you will be responsible for the enforcement, advice and guidance of health and safety legislation in the borough has varied businesses and workplaces including licensed premises.
The work includes risk-based inspections, project work promoting the LA/HSE partnership priority areas and local initiatives, reactive work such as investigation of complaints, workplace accidents, responding to licensing applications and participating in night economy enforcement.
You will identify contraventions, execute appropriate enforcement activity based on assessed risk, and where necessary, prepare reports and evidence for legal proceedings and giving evidence in court.
Demonstrable experience in health and safety enforcement is essential along with an appropriate health and safety qualification.
You will have excellent communication skills as well as the willingness and ability to initiate formal action where necessary. A working knowledge of all Environmental Health disciplines is also required.
What We're Looking For
As a senior member of the team, you will lead on enforcement and compliance activities and be able act as lead officer in one or more specialist areas. Experience of criminal investigation and prosecution work in an intelligence led environment is vital along with the ability to manage a complex caseload. You must have a comprehensive knowledge of the technical and legal aspects of the role and will hold a qualification relevant to health and safety at work enforcement and investigative work.
Additional Information
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
Recruitment Timetable/ Key dates:
Closing Date: 03/05/2026
Shortlisting Date: 06/05/2026
Interview date: 18/05/2026
Guaranteed Interview Scheme
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
Attachments
Salary range
- £50,175 - £57,495 per year