POST TITLE: Principal Housing Standards / Environmental Health Officer
SECTION: Housing & Community
SALARY: Grade 9 £50,116 - £56,369 pa
LOCATION: Sittingbourne, Kent
CONTRACT TYPE: Full-Time/Permanent

About the role

We’re excited to offer an excellent opportunity to join our Housing Standards and Assistance Team as a Principal Housing Standards / Environmental Health Officer.

In this role, you will manage a varied caseload and take appropriate enforcement action to address property disrepair and energy efficiency issues, applying HHSRS and relevant legislative powers. You will also lead the HMO licensing and associated enforcement activities.

Additionally, you will oversee the operational delivery and ongoing improvement of the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) programme, ensuring high-quality outcomes for residents.

If you are an experienced environmental health housing professional who wants to make a real difference to housing improvement within the borough, we’d like to hear from you!

This is a full-time position, working 34 hours per week on a permanent contract. This is a hybrid role with the expectation to attend the office at least two days per week.

About Swale Borough Council

Swale Borough Council is a progressive and ambitious Local Authority, located less than an hour from Central London in an attractive and diverse part of Kent, involving urban, rural, and coastal areas. We believe that staff are our most valuable asset, and we’re committed to attracting and retaining the very best. In recent times, we have adapted and evolved to meet the current world by introducing a highly flexible hybrid working policy, along with a 34-hour week, recognising that staff wellbeing and work-life balance are high on our agenda.

Our Offer:

A range of benefits, including:

- Generous holiday entitlement which increases after five years’ LG service, plus bank holidays, with the option to buy additional leave
- An additional three days’ leave is given to enable a closure of the offices between Christmas and New Year
- Free parking
- Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities
- Employee Assistance Programme, which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family
- Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/bus journey, to & from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car; the monthly fee includes insurance, servicing, and road tax
- Annual flu vaccine
- Cycle to work scheme
- Staff benefits include discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays, and shopping
- Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals
- A professional fee payment, if required for the role

About You

The successful candidate should have:

- A degree in Environmental Health or equivalent and Certificate of Registration with the Environmental Health Board
- A certificate in HHSRS and experience in using the rating system to assess properties, or an equivalent qualification with substantial relevant experience
- Excellent communication and organisational skills with significant experience and knowledge of the relevant legislation
- The ability to lead and motivate others to achieve the aims and responsibilities of the Council

We are open to applicants with substantial experience in the private rented sector, especially those who have worked in regulatory compliance roles with a robust enforcement background.

This role will require you to carry out site visits where needed, so you will need to have a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle. We have adopted a flexible working approach to improve work-life balance, and this includes working from home, with attendance at the office two days a week or more, and face-to-face meetings to ensure the functions of the department are managed and maintained.

Selection Process

Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those who are successful in securing an interview can expect a job-specific interview assessment, followed by an interview.

As this role requires you to hold a valid UK driving licence, please ensure you include this information in your application.

Swale Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to discuss this position, please contact San Nyunt, Housing Standards & Assistance Manager, 0179 541 7238.

To apply for the position, please visit www.swale.gov.uk/jobs and complete the online application form by phone on 01622 602555.

Closing Date: 12th April 2026
Interview Date: TBC