Environmental Health Officer

Environmental Health Officer

Job No: ZZ1249 Location: Tewantin

Noosa Council is committed to our valued employees and we celebrate diversity, health and well-being, work life balance and career progression. Come and join our supportive and progressive team as we deliver on our vision:

“Noosa Shire – different by nature”

The Opportunity

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to become a key member of Noosa’s Environmental Heath Team. You will be strongly supported in making a difference in one of Australia most beautiful and liveable communities. You will play an important role in delivering a range of Environmental Health, regulatory, and project activities promoting the highest standards of public health, safety and environmental protection.

Working in an enthusiastic and progressive team supported by experienced managers, you will utilise your enthusiasm for job and your skills and knowledge to shape the future of Noosa’s Environmental Health. If you are open to looking outside the box, contributing to fresh ideas and committed to delivering the best possible service to our community, we want to hear from you today!

Vacancy Details

• Position Status: Permanent Full-Time
• Department: Development and Regulation
• Branch: Local Laws and Environmental Health
• Advertised: Internal and External
• Position Remuneration: Level 5 ($103,123.07) total remuneration package which is inclusive of 12% employer superannuation and 17.5% leave loading based on a permanent full-time employee
• Closing Date: 11:59pm (AEST) Sunday, 3 March 2024

About You

You will be a qualified and experienced professional with an eye on the future and an appreciation of what makes Environmental Health so important in today’s ever-changing world.

As one of our Environmental Health Officers, an accomplished communicator and technical guru you will have the demonstrated knowledge of contemporary issues, legislation, compliance practices and concepts and the ability to effectively apply them in day to day practice. Specialist knowledge in a relevant area such as water, noise food and regulation would be ideal.

You will have detailed knowledge of the legislation relevant to the role, its application and how to achieve sustainable compliance with Queensland; Local Government, Environmental Protection, Disaster Management, Food Safety, Water and Personal Appearance Acts including Noosa’s Local Laws.

The role will require you to work with colleagues throughout government, local business and the community. You will take responsibility for delivering high quality outcomes in a fast moving, time sensitive environment, be curious in your approach and have a commitment for professional development. As a key member of our team you will be comfortable in supporting, contributing and leading. You will be keen to celebrate success and collaborate with others to conquer the challenges of the day.

Our Environmental Health Officers adopt a flexible approach to achieving our goals and aspirations. You will be supported in achieving a positive work life balance and your ability to jump in and contribute your skills and expertise during natural disaster and emergencies will be highly valued.

Further but not limited to, the position's focus will be:

• The contribution of professional skills, knowledge and experience working within an Environmental Health team environment in alignment with community expectation, legislation, standards and Council’s policies.
• Manage applications for licences, registrations and permits through the assessment and decision-making process including progressing approvals, renewals, and transfers within statutory timeframes.
• Undertake inspections and audits of regulated premises, using expert skills, judgement and the assessment of risk to exercise appropriate compliance-based decision making to ensure that public and consumer health outcomes are met.
• Undertake investigations into requests for service, complaints and notifications. Gather and evaluate evidence, data and information and progress an appropriate compliance response including education, advocacy, regulatory and enforcement action as appropriate to achieve the desired compliance outcomes.
• Prepare reports and briefs of evidence including liaising with relevant staff and legal representatives. Attend legal proceedings in Court to provide expert opinion, give evidence and support appeals on behalf of Council.
• Provide authoritative environmental and public health advice, commentary, recommendations and approval conditions in collaboration with internal and external partner agencies.
• Build and maintain positive and productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including professional networks, business and the community to ensure that Council’s public and Environmental Health objectives and targets are met.
• Deliver responsive customer service and expectation management while ensuring that legislative requirements, council’s policies and operating procedures are consistently complied with.
• Effectively manage reactive and proactive workloads, establish appropriate priorities, monitor deadlines, KPI performance and targets to ensure relevant timeframes and outcomes are met.
• Carry out research and analysis. Undertake assessment and analysis, develop expert advice, complex reports with a high level of attention to detail and present the results.
• Actively seek out opportunities for innovation and service improvement. Contribute to the development of policies, procedures and projects relevant to Public and Environmental Health matters.
• Maintain accurate and timely records, undertake administrative functions relevant to the role including developing documents, progress updates and finalising requests within Council’s Business Management Systems (TechOne).
• Liaise with other officers about cross-program matters and consult where there may be flow-on impacts or issues which impact other areas of Council.
• Maintain an ongoing awareness and understanding of Environmental Health issues and responsibilities and participate in Environmental Health professional development, promotional and educational activities.
• Maintain an awareness and where appropriate escalate, emerging risks including operational, political and media issues which may impact the community’s confidence in the Council and/or the Branch’s ability to meet outcomes or corporate goals.
• Participate in training, engagement and education initiatives to the community, businesses and other stakeholders to increase awareness and knowledge of Environmental Health related issues.
• Participate in emergency and disaster preparedness, response and recovery activities relevant to the role.
• Undertake such training as the Council’s deems necessary for the Environmental Health Officer to be effective in the role.
• Council seeks to promote a flexible and adaptable workforce. The Environmental Health Officer may be required to undertake duties which reasonably fall within the skill and knowledge requirements of the position.

Further Questions

Please contact Haylee Fox, Environmental Health Coordinator on (07) 5329 6381 for any further information regarding the position.