Environmental health opportunities

Join our team as Environmental Health Officers and Technical Officers.

Model of wind turbine.

Are you passionate about protecting the environment and promoting public health? Do you have a strong commitment to making a positive impact on communities? If so, we want you to join our team of Environmental Health Officers and Technical Officers.

Our regulatory services are unique and offer the chance for you to have a fascinatingly diverse and positive career within environmental health. As the geographically largest county in the country, the communities we serve are made up of rural villages and hamlets, bustling market towns, seaside resorts and national parks. Within these communities are a large range of businesses, ranging from microbusinesses right up to large enterprises. Both our communities and businesses engage with us well and understand the importance of what our service does, enabling us to dedicate more of our time to making a difference for our residents. This positive engagement from our communities is underpinned by our commitment to excellent customer service, we listen and are dedicated to ensuring the experience of our customers is a positive one.

The formation of the new North Yorkshire Council in April 2023 has placed us in a strong position to take on the current national financial challenges. We have effective leadership within the service who are dedicated to ensuring that their teams have the very best training, development and career opportunities. We have strong links to other authorities regionally, sharing best practice and ideas and are committed to continuous growth and improvement, both as individuals and as a team. Where individuals display potential, we make use of the Corporate Leadership Academy to develop them to be able to have long and fulfilling careers with us. Additionally, due to the size of our teams, we have the opportunity to offer you a wide and varied caseload, so that you can benefit from wider exposure and an increased skill set. We care about our people and want them to be happy and do well at work, so will work with you to ensure you have what you need to enable you to flourish.

As a council, we are dedicated to safeguarding public health and preserving the environment for future generations, we work to ensure that the communities within North Yorkshire are safe and healthy places to live, work and play.

Environmental health professionals play a crucial role so, if you want to make a difference, advocate for public health, and work toward a sustainable future, consider an environmental health career - it’s a path that matters!

Officer taking water sample

About our service

Our regulatory services is a busy front-line service which carries out a wide range of functions within two service areas, environmental protection and farming, food and health.

The environmental protection service is responsible for the investigation of noise and other statutory nuisances, public health duties including investigation of pest and drainage issues, the enforcement of private water supply legislation and the licencing and enforcement of standards at caravan sites. The service is also responsible for monitoring and controlling air quality, the inspection and permitting of industrial and commercial processes and the enforcement of the contaminated land regime as well as responding to consultations in relation to licensed premises, planning applications and from the council's Safety Advisory Group. The farming, food and health service covers the enforcement of food hygiene, safety and standards and workplace health and safety legislation, infectious disease control, the registration of cosmetic procedures and also includes an animal health team of trading standards officers ensuring the welfare of farmed animals and preventing spread of animal disease.

Join us in our mission to protect the environment and promote public health. Together we can make a difference.

Hear from our team

Rob Cullen, Environmental Health Officer

I cannot speak highly enough about the council and how I have been supported throughout the years I have worked for council.  I qualified as an Environmental Health Officer in 2016 after completing the EH Degree (p/t) at Leeds University, I did this while working full time but having the full support of the council to further my career. My work now involves carrying out food hygiene and Health and Safety inspections, investigating food complaints and infectious disease control, sampling, and risk assessments of Private Water Supplies.  I work with helpful and friendly people who are always available to discuss issues when needed. The opportunity to help and train others appeals to me and there is plenty of scope to do this. The work is wide and varied and we are fortunate to work in North Yorkshire and enjoy the benefits this amazing county has to offer. North Yorkshire is a great place to work.

Jenny Bainbridge, Environmental Health Officer

I have worked for the council for nearly 3 years after completing a Masters in Environmental Health and specifically work within the Food Hygiene and Health and Safety department. North Yorkshire is a picturesque place to work with the Yorkshire Dales and North Yorkshire Moors as your office. I work with a very close and friendly team that support each other, when dealing with a variety of cases. The council recognises my personal ambitions and the organisation is willing to support my future development in completing the Environmental Health Practitioner Qualification.

Katie Beyer, Technical Officer

I moved back to my hometown of Richmond in 2016, when I gained employment as a part time licensing assistant. During this time I was offered the opportunity to undertake a The Higher Certificate in Food Control and Law which is 2 year course at Birmingham University. The council fully supported me with the process not only paying for the course but giving me time off work to attend university and study time. At the end of the course the council supported me in completing the required training become registered with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and be able to undertake food safety inspections. The council have fully supported me though this journey and as a result of this I am now a full time Technical Officer.

Environmental health officer taking water sample

The roles

As we invest in our regulatory services, we are currently recruiting to the following opportunities:

Environmental Health Officer

Locations: We have opportunities in the following three areas:

  • West – Northallerton, Richmond and Craven areas
  • Central – Selby and Harrogate areas
  • East – Scarborough and Malton areas

Salary: Grade L - from £40,221 to £44,428

Hours: full time and part time hours available

Contract: permanent

Role summary

As an Environmental Health Officer you will ensure that protective measures are in place to safeguard individuals and businesses, ensuring legislative compliance against a wide ranging regulatory framework. Your goal will be to uphold public health and safety by monitoring and controlling environmental factors that could pose risks.  Whether it’s food hygiene, pollution, toxic, contamination or pest infestations, Environmental Health Officer's take action to mitigate potential hazards and respond to serious incidents.

What you will bring

You will have a Degree in Environmental Health (BSc or MSc), be a qualified Environmental Health Officer registered by the Environmental Health Registration Board and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.

You will have experience of working within Environmental Health and of managing conflict and complaints informally and formally. You will have knowledge of current environmental health legislation and practice and of the relationship with other public agencies, knowledge of Police and Criminal Evidence Act. and experience of court proceedings. You will have a high level of investigative, analytical, and interpretative skills and have the ability to make fast paced decisions based upon evidence presented within an ever-changing environment. You will have understanding of the political context and the ability to operate sensitively and efficiently within a political environment. Ability to carry out tasks in compliance with safe and consistent standards and to promote healthy and safe working practices.

Apply now

Environmental Health Officer - Northallerton, Richmond and Craven areas

Environmental Health Officer - Selby and Harrogate areas

Environmental Health Officer - Scarborough and Malton areas

Technical Officer

Locations: We have opportunities in the following three areas:

  • West – Northallerton, Richmond and Craven areas
  • Central – Selby and Harrogate areas
  • East – Scarborough and Malton areas

Salary: Grade I - from £32,076 to £35,745

Hours: full time and part time hours available

Contract: permanent

Role summary

As our Technical Officer you will deliver a range of services within a framework of legislation, including inspections, surveys, visits, investigations, taking samples of food, water, and the environment. You will be monitoring standards, investigating complaints and service requests, gathering evidence, and maintaining the chain of evidence, carrying out interviews, taking statements and determining and taking appropriate action. You will collate evidence and assist with the preparation of cases for legal proceedings under the guidance of the Environmental Health Officers, Scientific Officers, and Trading Standards Officers. You will provide appropriate advice, guidance, and interpretation of relevant legislation in line with the professional service of the post, as required. Ensuring service requests are dealt with on a risk basis and in accordance with service and statutory timescales.

What you will bring

You will have a minimum of two A levels or equivalent or completion of a further education qualification.

You will have a wide range of technical and specialist knowledge of current environmental health legislation and practice and of the relationship with other public agencies, knowledge and commitment to quality customer focussed services and the benefits that flow from a corporate approach to service delivery and organisational growth. You will have experience of managing conflict and complaints informally and formally, experience of recording, collation, and reporting systems and experience of producing and presenting clear and concise letters, reports, and schedules. You will have the ability to seek, evaluate and organise information to aid decision making along with the ability to make fast paced decisions based upon evidence presented within an ever-changing environment.

Apply now

Technical Officer - Northallerton, Richmond and Craven areas

Technical Officer - Selby and Harrogate areas

Technical Officer - Scarborough and Malton areas

What can we offer you?

Modern work practices, enabling colleagues to work from home or their chosen base, with office across the geography of North Yorkshire to choose from. We regularly come together as a team for development, connection and collaboration, otherwise we work where its most productive to do so. You will be provided with technology to enable efficient and effective work, ensuring that you are connected and well supported. You are provided with a comprehensive benefits package with an excellent employer defined pension scheme, enhanced holidays, flexible working to help you thrive at home and well as work.

Solar panels

Why work for us

We are strong performing authority, with supportive political leadership, and talented teams providing the platform to have a fulfilling, challenging and successful career in a truly stunning place.

A recent peer challenge found that the council is a good place to work, with strong leadership and a loyal and committed workforce who have access to well-regarded training and development.

We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice, offering a range of training and development opportunities and career progression allowing you to manage your own development journey and empowering you to control your career. Your career can change with your life here in North Yorkshire.

We positively encourage flexible working and we provide you with the technology you need to work from a wide variety of locations.

We believe in the importance of inclusion, which is why we are always working towards being a more diverse, equitable and inclusive employer. Find out more about our equality, diversity and inclusion work on our working for us page. You can bring your whole self to work, and we will support you to be the best that you can be.

Our values, behaviours and ambitions underpin everything we do.

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of great benefits to help you financially make life a bit easier. These include:

  • a local government, career average employer contribution pension scheme
  • family friendly leave
  • salary sacrifice schemes
  • modern flexible working practices
  • learning and development packages
  • career advancement opportunities
  • employee discount benefits including shopping and gym discounts
  • green car and cycle schemes
  • travel loans

You can find more information on the range of benefits we offer on our total rewards page.

Watch this video to find out about our employee networks.

Living and working in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire is a thriving county that adapts to a changing world and remains a special place to live and work.

North Yorkshire's natural beauty is captured in its three areas of outstanding natural parks, national nature reserves, stunning coastlines, scenic rural villages, vibrant cities and market towns. North Yorkshire really is a beautiful, thriving and special place to live and work, rich in heritage and culture.

North Yorkshire features significantly in the ten best places to live in the UK in Halifax Quality of Life Survey. The Quality of Life index aims to quantify where living standards are highest in the UK by ranking local performance across a range of indicators. Local areas featured in the top ten included Richmond, Selby and Malton.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics bulletin positions North Yorkshire as the safest place in England with extremely low crime rates.

In addition, the county benefits from excellent road and rail links, with easy access via the east coast mainline, the A1(M) and A19. Leeds, York, Newcastle, Durham and Teesside are all easily commutable, and London and Edinburgh are just two hours away by train.

From its lively cities to pretty villages, rolling countryside and grand coastline, Yorkshire has so much to offer including great employment opportunities for your family members, along with a higher proportion of schools which are good or outstanding compared to national figures.

You can find out more about what North Yorkshire has to offer on the No place like North Yorkshire website.

Worker looking at recycling logo

Application tips

Find advice on making your application.

Contact us and apply

If you feel you have the skills, passion, and drive that we are seeking, we want to hear from you!

To apply please submit your application via our jobs and careers site.

On your application, please state the location that you would prefer to work from and whether you have a preference as to which team you would prefer to work in such as Environmental protection or Farming, food and health.

We will not accept applications from agencies.

Key dates

Closing date: 29 May 2024
Interview dates: 10, 11 and 12 June 2024

A to Z of council services

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z