Job title: Senior Acoustics Officer

Salary: SO2/PO2 starting at £37,280 - £42,839 depending on experience (pay award pending)

Hours: 37 hours per week.

Contract: Permanent

Location: Leeds

We are seeking to recruit a Senior Acoustics Officer to complement our multi-skilled Design and Project team. Working with our Team Manager and Principal Acoustics Officer you will lead on the planning consultation work area to deliver and oversee the provision of specialist environmental health advice in response to requests from Planning Services. The role is as a specialist within the area of Environmental Protection with a focus on acoustics, so if you have in depth knowledge of environmental planning and acoustics, this is the job for you.

We are inviting applications from Environmental Health Professionals and Acoustic Specialists who can work on their own initiative, have a desire to develop their career and are ready to adapt to future ways of working. We are looking for people with the ability to build effective working relationships, with Planning Services, developers and acoustics consultants and have in depth experience of environmental planning work.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Senior Acoustics Officer you will bring to the role:

A recognised degree in Environmental Health/Science, Maths, Engineering or equivalent qualification.
A recognised qualification in noise e.g. Institute of Acoustics Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control or be working towards such a qualification and able to demonstrate substantive experience in this field.
Demonstrate experience within the fields of environmental health/science and/or acoustics.
An ability to work independently and as part of a diverse, multi-specialism team.
An ability to think laterally, evidence of problem solving and ability to influence outcomes.
Great communication skills.

About the role

As our next Senior Acoustics Officer you’ll be working alongside Development Management officers on a variety of casework, from small takeaway units to complex city centre major developments, and from renewable energy schemes to large infrastructure projects including Mass Transit.

You will have the opportunity to build up a portfolio of a wide range of development types and scales and will play a critical role in achieving quality development outcomes that help the Council to fulfil the Leeds Ambitions.

You will be part of a multi-disciplinary team focussed on design and placemaking. You will work alongside Design Officers, Landscape Officers, Heritage Officers and others to ensure best practice in this specialism. You will also have the opportunity to input into wider regeneration projects and contribute to policy and guidance creation as part of our Local Plan review.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidancefor further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Simon Clothier, Principal Acoustics Officer by email – simon.clothier@leeds.gov.uk.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose: To work as a member of the Environment & Design Group providing in-house specialist expertise to the City Council’s planning services, implementation and forward planning work, and to contribute positively to the City Council’s corporate efforts to promote sustainable development through all its functions, in accordance with the Council’s policies, for the benefit of the community.

This role will specifically relate to the provision of noise, pollution and other aspects of the Environmental Health elements of the planning regulatory system and the responsibilities set out below should be read accordingly.

There is a pay bar in place at the top of SO2 grade. For appointment or progression beyond the pay bar onto PO2 grade the following criteria must be met.

Hold a Degree or Diploma in Environmental Health, and be EHORB registered, or a Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner

Hold a relevant professional qualification at NVQ level 6 (Degree or equivalent) specifically relevant to the role

AND

Have a minimum of three years’ experience of working in a relevant service area of Environmental Health

Responsibilities for Grade: SO2

To provide specialist Environmental Health advice on planning applications and other key projects and initiatives to colleagues/planning officers, partners, developers, agents and stakeholders of Leeds City Council.
Undertake an advisory and negotiatory role with developers and agents at all stages of the development process including pre-application enquiries, validation, conditions, legal agreements and infrastructure funds.
Provide an advisory role across the planning function on Environmental Health matters as they relate to planning regulations and best practice.
Liaise with relevant statutory and non-statutory bodies as appropriate.
Assist other officers in Planning & Sustainable Development with the range of their work, contributing an Environmental health perspective.
Write detailed reports where required, reaching reasoned conclusions and recommendations.
Undertake presentations at meetings.
Engage with Ward Members and local communities and provide specialist advice and guidance on Environmental Health matters and the role of planning.
Carries out professional and technical duties to a competent level.
Supports the development of other staff within the workplace.
Actively promotes the service helping to raise the profile of the Council and demonstrate its value to all.
Deals with a range of appeal work to provide expert advice at written reps and Hearings, and to undertake Public Inquiry and Examination work with supervision.
Act as an expert witness for the City Council on relevant matters at appeals/inquiries and enforcement cases.
Promote environmental health issues, implement seminars and publish guidance to officers in Planning Services and Strategy and Policy, elected members and the general public in paper end electronic format.
Undertakes limited management duties when required.
Shows knowledge of training and coaching skills.
Understands project management principles and manages a complex workload of cases and projects.
Has clear commitment to continuing professional development.
Understands Council strategies and ambitions and the role of the post in achieving these.
To abide by the City Council’s Values and equality, diversity, and inclusivity policies in the duties of the post and as an employee of the Council.
Will be responsible for working alone when required to undertake site visits in accordance with lone working guidance.
The role is largely undertaken within standard working hours but there may be a need to work unsocial hours if necessary.
All other duties considered commensurate with the post.

The above to be undertaken with some supervision from the team leader or a principal officer.

Responsibilities for Grade: PO2

Lead on the review, drafting and publication of the City Council’s planning and Environmental Health related policies and any associated supplementary planning guidance documents in the Leeds Local Plan.
Investigate the potential for the introduction and administration of cost recovery and charging mechanisms for environmental health services.
Deputises for senior management when required and demonstrates leadership skills for duties commensurate with the grade of the role.
Supervision of other officers within the team.
Actively supporting continuous improvement initiatives, contributing to cross Council projects.
Demonstrates training and coaching skills alongside leadership skills.
Undertakes presentations and representations of the Council in public forums.
Provides expert witness advice at all forms of appeals and plan examinations.
Able to engage fully with Ward Members and local community groups and to provide clear recommendations for them.
Manages a complex caseload and undertakes allocation of workloads to other members of the team.
Manages and leads projects using project management techniques and ensures timely delivery and quality outcomes.

All of the above undertaken without supervision.

for Grade:PO2 the post requires a Degree or Diploma in Environmental Health, and be EHORB registered, or a Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner, or have a relevant professional qualification at NVQ level 6 (Degree or equivalent) specifically relevant to the role.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

Where a requirement is listed as “Essential” the Candidate must be able to demonstrate the criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the Essential requirements.

Where a requirement is listed as “Desirable” the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following; Application Form, Test, Interview or Certificate.

Appointment at a grade higher than SO2 is dependent on meeting all the essential requirements of relevant grade along with essential and desirable requirements of preceding grades.

At SO2 Grade:

Essential Skills Required;

Able to write reports and carry out presentations.
Ability to communicate key issues clearly and succinctly both in writing and verbally.
Ability to use software packages including Word and Excel.
Ability to make an effective contribution to internal and external meetings.
Ability to develop productive working relationships that command respect, trust and confidence.
Ability to resolve conflict and negotiate desirable outcomes for the people of Leeds.
Ability to manage competing priorities whilst delivering on a range of projects and adapting to changing circumstances and priorities.

Desirable Skills Required;

Project management and reporting recommendations.
Ability to interpret corporate visions and values and put into practice through agreed policies and strategies.
Ability to take forward initiatives and policies from development to implementation.

Essential Knowledge Required;

Demonstration of relevant experience and commitment to continued professional development.
Understanding of sustainability and climate change matters.
Understanding of how a local authority works in relation to development and environmental health matters.
Has a thorough understanding of environmental health policy and legislation
Has a good understanding of how environmental health matters contribute to Council priorities and some knowledge of current best practice.
Has an understanding of the statutory planning system or of the role of the consultee within the planning system.

Desirable Knowledge Required;

Has a sound understanding of the legal and operational framework of the environmental health function within Local Government.
Has a sound knowledge of the varied tools and processes for developing environmental health ideas, policies and proposals.

Essential Experience Required;

Understanding of and commitment to sustainability in service delivery.
Experience of working both independently and as part of a wider team.
Understanding of local government and experience of achieving results in a politically sensitive context.
Understanding of public sector issues
Experience of working effectively with others to deliver across projects.
Experience in an environmental health related post.
Ability to develop and contribute to partnerships involving various stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
Ability to present at public meetings.
Experience of appeal casework at Written Reps and Hearing level.

Desirable Experience Required;

Has undertaken the role of expert witness at planning appeals, enforcement appeals or relevant environmental health appeals.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics required;

Achievement of equality, diversity and inclusivity in both employment and service delivery and an understanding of the Leeds City Council policy.
Willing to take personal responsibility for and abide by the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
Ability to communicate well with a wide range of stakeholders including Ward Members.
Demonstrates ability to interact well within their own team and in the wider service area.

At PO2 Grade: