POSITION PROFILE
POSITION NAME : Environmental Health Officer
UNIT : Environmental Compliance & Waste Unit
DIVISION : Environmental Planning and Community
LOCATION : Vuko Place, Warriewood
REPORTS TO : Principal Environmental Health Officer
COUNCIL’S CORE VALUES
All staff are required to demonstrate Council’s core values of:
Service: achieve excellent customer service - strive to exceed
Integrity: act honestly and transparently – maintain confidentiality
Respect: respect and value others – work as a team
Leadership: learning, coaching, mentoring - everyone is a leader – inspire others
Communication: communicate openly and clearly – listen to others
Wellbeing: seek wellbeing in both work and personal lives
1. MAIN JOB PURPOSE
To provide Environmental Health Officer services as required within the Environmental Compliance Unit of Council.
2. OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION
To develop and provide inspection and monitoring, enforcement and education services for the protection, promotion and improvement of environmental and public health.
3. COMMUNICATION
To communicate at a professional level with key stakeholders including residents of Pittwater, statutory authorities, applicants, business employers/staff plus other members of Council’s staff.
4. KEY RESULT AREAS
· Timely and thorough routine environmental and public health inspections (including food premises, temporary premises/events, commercial/industrial businesses, on-site sewage management systems, skin penetration, hairdressers/beauty salons and legionella).
· Investigate and respond to environmental and public health related complaints including keeping of animals, woodsmoke, asbestos, drainage, land use and pollution (air, noise, water, land) issues.
· Provide assistance and advice to customers regarding environmental and public health related matters.
· Assessment of applications and implementation of consent conditions relating to environmental health development application referrals, Construction Certificates and Occupation Certificates. Provide advice and carry out inspections regarding construction and fitout of premises.
· Communication of results, actions and assessments to customers, residents and businesses.
· Community awareness and participation in environmental and public health related education programs.
· Review and update information contained within internal and public documents including forms, procedures, documents, publications, website etc
· Assist with management of the waste and recycling services contract and education program.
· Assist with developing and implementing inspection mobility software programs.
· Assist with management of the on-site sewage management system inspection and education program.
· Represent Council by participating in external and internal meetings/committee’s.
· Achieve Environmental Health related key performance indicators contained within Council’s Strategic Plan.
5. LEVEL OF DELEGATION
The delegation for the position of Environmental Health Officer is set out in Council’s Delegation Manual.
6. NETWORK OF ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Internal / ExternalPrincipal Environmental Health Officer / Residents of Pittwater
Development Compliance Officers / Statutory Authorities
Other Council Staff / Stakeholders including applicants, business employers/staff.
Council’s elected representatives
7. KEY TASKS / RESPONSIBILITIES
· To undertake routine environmental and public health inspections within the Council area;
· To investigate and respond to complaints including environmental and public health matters including food premises, temporary premises, commercial/industrial businesses, on-site sewage management systems, hairdressers/beauty salons, skin penetration, legionella, keeping of animals, woodsmoke, asbestos, drainage, land use and pollution (air, noise, water, land) issues.
· To provide assistance and advice to customers regarding environmental and public health related matters.
· To assess internal development application referrals, implement consent conditions and undertake critical stage inspections for environmental and public health related Development Applications, Construction Certificates and Occupation Certificates. Provide advice and carry out inspections regarding construction and fitout of premises;
· To assist in the preparation and delivery of environmental and public health related education programs.
· Review and update information contained within internal and public documents including forms, procedures, documents, publications, website etc;
· To assist Council staff with management of the waste and recycling services contract and education program;
· To respond to environmental and public health issues raised by the elected Council and other Business Units within Council.
· To assist with management of the on-site sewage management inspection and education program.
· Assist with developing and implementing inspection mobility software programs.
· To achieve Environmental Health related key performance indicators contained within Council’s Strategic Plan.
· Represent Council by participating in external and internal meetings/committee’s.
· On occasion weekend and evening work will be required to carry out environmental and public health inspections and education programs including food premises, temporary premises/events such as food stalls/markets, on-site sewage management systems and waste management.
8. SKILLS / QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED
8.1 Authority & Accountability
· Authority as an authorised officer of Council under the relevant legislation and as delegated by Council.
8.2 Judgement & Problem Solving
· Previous experience and a mature approach in making decisions, problem solving and judgement are required.
8.3 Specialist Knowledge and Skills
· Knowledge of local government and its operations including application of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, the Local Government Act, the Building Code of Australia, the Protection of the Environment Operations Act, the Food Act and the Public Health Act.
8.4 Management Skills
· Self managed position and not responsible for any other position.
8.5 Interpersonal Skills
· Excellent written and oral communication skills. Comprehensive report writing skills.
8.6 Qualifications and Experience
Essential Skills/Qualifications
· Qualifications in Environmental Health and/or Health and Building from a recognised tertiary institution.
· Experience in the use of legislation and enforcement activities relating to the Local Government Act, Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, Protection of the Environment Operations Act, the Food Act and the Public Health Act.
· Experience in undertaking inspections and managing programs relating to environmental and public health matters including food premises, temporary premises/events, commercial/industrial businesses, on-site sewage management systems, hairdressers/beauty salons, skin penetration, legionella, keeping of animals, woodsmoke, asbestos, drainage, land use and pollution (air, noise, water, land) issues.
Desirable Criteria
· Experience in assessment of Development Applications, Construction Certificates, Occupation Certificates and critical stage inspections.
· Experience in the preparation and presentation of education programs.
· Excellent written and oral communication including report writing.
· Authorised Officer pursuant to the Protection of the Environment Operation Act.
· Experience in the preparation and enforcement of Notices and Orders.
· Experience in the preparation and presentation of evidence for court proceedings.
· Ability to deal with situations requiring use of appropriate conflict resolution skills.
9. SUSTAINABILITY
Council is committed to acting sustainably in all of its decisions and actions and has an expectation that where possible, all staff incorporate sustainable actions into their day to day work.
10. WORK HEALTH & SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES, ACCOUNTABILITIES AND AUTHORITIES
EMPLOYEES/CONTRACTORS AND VOLUNTEER WORKERS
Responsibilities:Ensure the safety, health and welfare of themselves and any other person at a place of work.
Cooperate with Management to ensure successful implementation of the WHS Management Systems.
Key Accountabilities:
· Compliance with Standard Operating Procedures/Safe Work Methods Statements
· Only undertake tasks that you have been appropriately trained in and are qualified and competent to undertake, in accordance with WorkCover and other requirements.
· Active participation in training and assessment programs to meet the requirements of the position
· Consult with Management to provide feedback on the practicable application of the WHS Management System within their daily work activities
· Actively participate in team and tool box meetings
· Ensure immediate reporting of all accidents / incidents, other safety related occurrences and hazards
· Wear protective equipment and clothing as required
· Use safe manual handling techniques
· Required to wear clean, issued PPE every day, or when required
· Physically capable of safely performing all labouring duties on construction sites and using construction materials
Authority:
· To fix any problems/hazards within your scope or responsibility and financial delegation.
· To immediately report any problem/hazard outside your scope of responsibility or financial delegation to your Supervisor, Team Leader or Manager.
Environmental Health Officer - October 2014