Street Scene Protection Officer – Braintree District Council

Street Scene Protection Officer - Braintree District Council

Braintree District Council

Permanent, Full Time

£30,313 - £34,612 per annum

Location: Braintree

Closing Date: Midnight 29th December

Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Braintree Council to recruit this Street Scene Protection Officer

To Apply for this role please click here: Street Scene Protection Officer

The Opportunity:

The post holder will enhance the Street Scene in Braintree District, by carrying out the Council’s enforcement responsibilities in respect of relevant environmental legislation and help to keep our District looking clean and green by undertaking a range of Street Scene activities, to contribute to improving the well-being and quality of life for residents and visitors in the district.

The role is highly visible, and you will be required to carry out all aspects of enforcement including intervention practices, proactive and reactive investigations, collecting evidence, taking statements, issuing fixed penalty notices and writing reports.

Experience:

The successful applicant will be self-motivated, conscientious and enthusiastic, used to working in an outdoor environment and use their own initiative to work as part of a team to deal effectively with environmental/anti-social behaviour related crime in the Braintree District through prevention, detection and deterrents.

You will have experience of undertaking enforcement action and procedures at all stages from informal warning to prosecution, have good knowledge of relevant legislation including working knowledge of PACE, CPIA and RIPA procedures. In addition, you will have experience of undertaking PACE interviews, giving evidence in court and experienced in handling stray dogs.

You will need to hold a current driving licence, have excellent customer service skills, with a constructive, flexible approach and keen to learn new skills to provide and maintain high levels of performance.

Accountabilities:

Dog Control

1. Undertake patrols within the District in order to (i) detect and apprehend stray dogs and (ii) determine compliance with dog fouling legislation.
2. Respond to complaints of stray dogs and dog fouling incidents within agreed timescales.
3. Collect stray dogs, assess their general health, arrange veterinary care where necessary and detain in appropriate kennelling facilities.
4. Enforce the legislation relating to dog control/fouling/nuisance etc. as it applies to the District.
5. Give advice and information to members of the public on legal and social aspects of responsible dog ownership, including the giving of talks/lectures and the participation in campaigns/exhibitions.
6. Implement the Council's responsibilities in respect of dangerous dogs.
7. Assist in the discharge of the Council's duties in respect of dog control.

1. To participate on a rota system in the Council’s weekend service for the care of stray dogs.

Street Scene

1. Investigate incidents and complaints of environmental crime, statutory nuisance and anti-social behaviour. Decide upon most appropriate course of action including enforcement following appropriate guidelines and policies. Keep customers up to date on progress. Update databases.
2. Write and serve warning letters, notices and prosecution reports as appropriate to best course of action, in accordance with the Department’s enforcement policy. To gather and present evidence in court where necessary
3. Undertake monitoring across the District for littering offences in accordance with the department’s safe systems of work. Complete and issue Fixed Penalty Notices (fines) on the spot or issue age suitable warnings as appropriate
4. Undertake interviews of offenders under caution using recording equipment or in writing following correct legal procedures, devising questions and examining evidence. Write up witness statements and write infringement reports, where necessary, on breaches of environmental legislation.
5. Inspect the District, prioritise and investigate complaints and initiate appropriate action, including the serving of statutory notices and fixed penalties under the appropriate legislation
6. Work closely with the Street Scene Cleansing staff.
7. Inspect and monitor the District for incidences of fly-tipping and levels of littering.
8. Investigate and determine responsibilities for litter on public and private land and to enforce the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, Anti-social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014 regarding litter including the issue of fixed penalty notices.
9. To work in partnership with the community, businesses, town and parish councils and other agencies with the purpose of reducing anti-social behaviour, environmental crime and the fear of crime.
10. To resolve community complaints and enquires relating to potential environmental infringements and anti-social behaviour with recourse to enforcement action as appropriate.

General

1. Liaise as appropriate with other outside bodies and Council departments.
2. Carry out daily maintenance checks of any vehicle provided for your use, report defects and carry out regular cleansing of the vehicle.
3. Carry out duties assigned to the post in accordance with all relevant legislation in particular, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated regulations.
4. To use and maintain relevant databases in respect of the duties of the post and to have particular regard to the Data Protection Act.
5. To attend in-service or external training as required.
6. Work flexibly within the team to respond to service demands including the provision of cover for the Council’s pest control service.
7. Maintain statistical and computerised records relating to activities.
8. Update records and identify matters which warrant further investigation.
9. Maintain an awareness of developments in relevant legislation and practices and advise on new initiatives.
10. Participate in education/promotion/publicity of relevant sectional matters.
11. To ensure the Health and Safety of Employees at work through the implementation and monitoring of the Council’s/Departmental Health and Safety Policies/Plans in accordance with all statutory requirements.

Why choose Braintree District Council?

Braintree District Council is an ambitious and forward-thinking authority with a vision of creating a great place for our residents and businesses.

As a Council our role is as a guardian of the place and its people; where residents live well in healthy and resilient communities; a well-connected district with high-quality homes delivered with the infrastructure and a place which attracts and provides good employment opportunities.

We are becoming one of the fastest growing Districts in the East of England with three growing towns, London just 45 minutes away and the district located directly between the international transport centres of Stansted Airport and Harwich and Felixstowe International Ports. We have a deserved track record for delivering and a strong reputation within the business community and are committed

Braintree District Council is a great place to work. We pride ourselves on our creative and innovative approach which is led by our staff. We are committed to having an engaged workforce who understand our strategy and how they can help deliver it. Some of the benefits of working for Braintree District Council are:

• Flexible working
• Free parking
• Local government pension scheme
• Learning and development for all staff
• Staff recognition schemes
• Extensive health and wellbeing programme including discounted gym membership.

If you would like an informal chat about this post, please contact Stuart Thompson on 01376 312562

For more information and to apply, click here: Street Scene Protection Officer

Closing date for receipt of applications: Midnight on Sunday 29th December

Please Note – Essex County Council is advertising this role on behalf of Braintree District Council and if successful you will be employed by Braintree District Council.