Principal Environmental Health Officer

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Principal Environmental Health Officer to lead Private Sector Housing services within a busy local authority. The role combines strategic leadership with hands‑on regulatory work, ensuring compliance with housing legislation, HMO regulations and property licensing.

Key responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop a team of 5‑6 Environmental Health and Housing Officers.
• Provide strategic and operational oversight of private sector housing activities.
• Oversee delivery of housing enforcement, compliance and licensing functions.
• Manage complex casework on housing standards, HMOs and private rented sector enforcement.
• Monitor team performance, workloads, service targets and statutory obligations.
• Provide technical guidance, quality assurance and support on complex investigations.
• Maintain relationships with internal stakeholders, landlords, managing agents, residents and partner agencies.
• Contribute to service improvement initiatives and development of enforcement strategies.

Required profile

• Extensive experience with Housing Act 2004, private sector housing legislation, HMO Management Regulations and mandatory HMO licensing.
• Proven track record in private rented sector enforcement and managing complex housing cases.
• Experience working within a local authority environmental health or housing service.
• Previous supervisory or team‑lead experience in a regulatory environment.

Required skills