Principal Environmental Health Officer – Environmental Protection

• Reference: EN202
• Division: Community Services
• Salary: £51,046.00 - £58,360.00 per annum
• Contract type: Permanent
• Posted on: 23 June 2026
• Interview date:27 June 2026 - 31 July 2026
• Extra payment(s): Essential car user

• Positions: 1
• Category: Environmental
• Grade: K - L
• Working hours: 37 per week
• Closing date: 22 July 2026
• Location: Town Hall, Crawley
• Location type: Hybrid

About the role

Crawley sits at the heart of one of the UK’s most dynamic regions, with significant growth, major infrastructure including Gatwick Airport, and a wide range of complex environmental challenges.

With ongoing development pressures and proposals to expand airport capacity, managing impacts on noise, air quality and sustainable development is a key priority.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Environmental Protection Officer to lead our Environmental Protection service and help shape a modern, forward-looking regulatory function.

This is a key leadership role within Environmental Health, responsible for delivering a high-performing, intelligence-led Environmental Protection service.

You will:

• lead and develop the Environmental Protection function
• provide expert advice on complex and high-profile environmental issues
• drive a risk-based, intelligence-led regulatory approach
• act as the professional lead for Environmental Protection across the authority

You will manage and oversee work across:

• statutory nuisance and noise, including leading the management of the council’s statutory nuisance function
• air quality management and air quality action plans
• industrial pollution control and environmental permitting
• waste crime and illegal waste activity, working with partners on enforcement and prevention
• contaminated land
• Public Health Act provisions

Key aspects of the role will be:

• overseeing aspects of development control, ensuring that growth, particularly airport-related and strategic infrastructure development is supported by robust mitigation for noise and air quality impacts
• working closely with planning and partners to manage the cumulative environmental effects of increased activity associated with a major international airport

The role also includes:

• leading and managing a team of officers
• acting as escalation point for complex enforcement and legal cases
• representing the council at courts, inquiries, and regional forums
• influencing policy, strategy and decision-making
• driving service improvement and innovation

This is primarily a strategic leadership role, with limited operational casework focused on complex or high-risk matters.

About you

You will be a highly capable environmental health professional with strong technical expertise and leadership ability.

You will have:

• a degree (or equivalent) in environmental health or a relevant discipline
• registration with the Environmental Health Registration Board (EHRB)/Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) or equivalent
• significant experience in environmental protection
• strong knowledge of environmental legislation and enforcement
• experience managing complex or high-profile investigations

You will also demonstrate:

• strong leadership and team development skills
• excellent communication and stakeholder engagement
• confidence influencing the wider management team, members and external partners
• strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  

Additional information

Occasional evening or out-of-hours work may be required.

A full and current UK driving licence is a requirement of this role. The post holder will receive an Essential Car User Allowance.

Satisfactory clearance of a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and airport security pass is a condition of employment.

This is a politically restricted post for the purposes of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. The post holder is therefore unable to take part in political activity as defined in current regulations published by the Secretary of State.

This role will be required to take part in an Imported Food Inspections Rota for Gatwick Airport, for which additional payment is made. The details of the terms of this rota are included at the end of the job description.

Employee benefits

We offer a generous employee benefits package, with a range of discounts, benefits and wellbeing incentives to suit everyone.

At Crawley Borough Council, you will have access to a structured programme of learning from day one, designed to help you succeed in your role and grow your career.

Our way of working

Our shared values and behaviours reflect the special nature of our council. We encourage all colleagues to put them into practice, whatever job they do. Take a look to see if we are the perfect match.

Safer recruitment

Crawley Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all under represented groups.

How to apply

Click the Apply button to complete your application online. Please ensure that the reference details you supply are for your current or most recent employer and that any gaps in employment are covered on your application form. Please note that CVs will not be accepted without a fully completed application form.

For an informal discussion or further information, please contact Alan Rimington, Principal Environmental Health Officer by email alan.rimington@crawley.gov.uk or phone 01293 438557.

We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible, as we may close this advert before the stated closing date if enough applications are received.

Related documents

• Principal Environmental Health Officer job description (PDF, 276.12 KB)