Job Description

Salary

38,101 to 42,674 per annum + additional Market Force supplement for eligible candidates

Contractual hours

37

Basis

Full time

Date posted

11/06/2025

Job reference

COLREQ01478

Contract Type:

Permanent

Working Hours:

37 hours per week

Face to face interviews will take place week commencing 14 July 2025.

Colchester is a thriving, fast-growing city blending deep heritage with bold ambition. As the second-largest district in Essex, we are committed to ensuring everyone in our community lives in safe, decent homes. The Private Sector Housing (PSH) team plays a key role in this mission, helping to protect tenants, support landlords, and improve housing conditions across the city.

Why Join Us?

We take pride in our people, our strong team ethos, and our supportive work culture. As a valued member of our Private Sector Housing team, you'll enjoy:



+ Excellent Local Government Pension Scheme choice.
+ Market Forces Supplement for eligible candidates
+ Annual Leave entitlement up to 26 days a year.
+ Additional leave on the 8 public holidays.
+ Extra statutory leave for 2 days during the festive season.
+ The ability to add up to 4 flex days off each month.
+ Options to purchase additional days of holiday.
+ Our new Wagestream, which allows pre-tax saving with attractive interest rates; or can be used to take your salary early if an unexpected personal expense arises.
+ 100% payment of one professional membership.
+ Mileage and subsistence allowance payments.
+ The popular Vine Extras discount scheme for retail, goods and services.
+ Tax-free cycle schemes.
+ Free use of the Council's own gym.
+ Discounted fitness classes and/or swimming pool memberships.
+ Reduced cost private health care options.
+ Staff incentives for events, museums and exhibitions.
+ Diverse learning opportunities, including transferable skills and ways to open up career progression routes using apprenticeships, coaching, mentoring, leadership and management qualifications.
+ Employee Assistance Programmes providing confidential support networks.
+ A variety of in-house health and wellbeing activities, groups and programmes.



+

The Role: Environmental Housing Officer / Private Sector Housing Officer

+ This is a fantastic opportunity to play a vital role in delivering high-quality services in private sector housing. You'll be part of a proactive and experienced team working to ensure homes in Colchester are safe, healthy, and well-managed. Key duties include:
- Investigating housing complaints and carrying out inspections under the Housing Act 2004
- Enforcing housing standards, including HHSRS assessments, improvement notices, and prohibition orders
- Supporting delivery of HMO licensing, civil penalties, and enforcement action
- Liaising with landlords, tenants, and partners to secure sustainable housing outcomes
- Supporting vulnerable residents through safeguarding referrals and joint working
- Contributing to projects and preparing for changes


+

What We are Looking For

+ You will be an enthusiastic, knowledgeable officer who committed to making homes safer and healthier. Ideally, you will have:



- A degree in Environmental Health or equivalent housing-related qualification
- Practical experience in housing enforcement and HHSRS
- The ability to interpret and apply complex housing legislation
- Good interpersonal and problem-solving skills
- Confidence in engaging with landlords, tenants, and partner agencies
- A positive, team-focused attitude and willingness to keep learning


+ We welcome applications from newly qualified or soon-to-qualify candidates who demonstrate the right attitude and aptitude.



+

Apply Now

+ This is your chance to make a real, lasting difference in one of the most progressive housing teams in the country.



+ For an informal discussion regarding this vacancy, please contact Anna Watson, Private Sector Housing Manager at Anna.Watson@colchester.gov.uk



+ For further information regarding this vacancy, please click here.



+ Colchester City Council has a wide range of services and facilities that can involve dealing with children or vulnerable adults. We treat our obligations for the safety of children and vulnerable adults seriously and expect our staff to be committed to the principles of our published policies and to adhere to the procedures contained within them.