Salary: £42,839 to £44,075 per annum

Hours: 37 hours per week

Location: Whitehaven

Contract: Permanent

About this opportunity

Only applicants who meet the following criteria will be considered.

We are looking for a fully qualified Environmental Health Officer, with experience in housing regulation, who can confidently step into this role with minimal training.

This post will focus on private sector housing, providing expert advice and ensuring legal compliance to help maintain safe, good‑quality homes across the area.

Cumberland Environmental Health plays a vital role in ensuring that people’s homes, workplaces and communities are safe, healthy and protected. We deliver a wide range of regulatory services including private sector housing, environmental protection, food safety, health and safety, air quality, infectious disease control, animal licensing, nuisance investigation, port health and public health licensing. This role will specialise in housing.

Purpose of the role

• Provide technical, professional advice to residents, landlords, Elected Members and senior officers in the specialist area of private sector housing.
• Investigate housing complaints using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, including MEES and Electrical Safety Standards.
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date case management records.
• Lead on the licensing and inspection of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
• Undertake enforcement activity under the Housing Act 2004, working closely with the council’s legal team where required.
• Investigate criminal offences and incidents of non‑compliance, progressing cases and preparing court files for formal action where appropriate, and supporting legal colleagues where appropriate.
• Attending Court to present evidence as required.

Who we’re looking for

We need someone who can make an immediate impact, either a fully qualified EHO or an experienced officer with the competence to quickly and confidently take on regulatory duties.

You will also reflect our organisational values: ambitious, collaborative, compassionate, empowering and innovative. If you share our commitment to delivering excellent public services, we’d love to hear from you.

Please review the Post Specification to ensure you meet the essential criteria. 

Contact

For more information about the role or to arrange an informal chat prior to your application, please contact Julie Friend by email at Julie.Friend@cumberland.gov.uk

Guaranteed Interviews

We offer a guaranteed interview to the following applicants as long as your application can demonstrate you meet the essential criteria for the role.

• Those who consider themselves disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010
• Those in care or who have left care and are aged 24 and under
• Those who identify as a member of the British Armed Forces community (service leavers, veterans, their partners or spouses, reservists, cadets).

If you meet one or more of the criteria above, and wish to be considered for this scheme, select 'yes' to the appropriate question during your application. Find out more.

Diversity, Inclusion & Adjustments

We’re dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. That’s why we’re a proud Disability Confident Leader and also an Age Friendly Employer – to provide opportunities for everyone to thrive.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please let either the hiring manager or our Resourcing Team know by emailing Resourcing@Cumberland.gov.uk. While adjustments aren’t always guaranteed, we’ll always listen and we’ll try our best to accommodate your needs.

Application and Interview information

• Closing date:  24/07/2026
• Interview date: TBC

Please note this role may close early subject to demand. If you’re interested in applying, you should apply well before the advised closing date. We cannot accept applications once the role has closed.

Please read the supporting information:

• Post Specification

Please also refer to our Careers site to find out more:

• Our Staff Benefits
• Candidate Support
• About Cumberland Council