Principal Environmental Health Officer

Job Vacancy

This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic, self-motivated Environmental Health Officer (EHO) to take on the role of Principal Environmental Health Officer within our Public Health Environmental Protection Team.

The successful candidate will play a key leadership and enforcement role supporting and supervising a team of EHO’s and technical officers. You will work closely with the Team Manager and senior leadership to coordinate workload allocation, contribute to service planning and performance management, and respond to elected members and Freedom of Information requests. You will also play an important role in the development and implementation of policies and procedures.

Midlothian Council is a dynamic semi-rural authority and the fastest growing Council in Scotland with significant residential development and a rapidly expanding commercial sector. This growth provides a varied, interesting and challenging workload across all Environmental Health functions.

The role sits within a supportive and forward thinking Authority that offers flexible hybid working, enabling a healthy balance between home and office based work. You will be joining a small friendly and professional team committed to delivering a vital frontline service that makes a real difference to public health and environmental protection.

All this is set in a stunning semi-rural location, less than 25 minutes by road or rail from the centre of Edinburgh.

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

A degree or equivalent in Environmental Health plus the post graduate qualification of a Diploma from the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) or equivalent.
Competency in assessment and enforcement across the statutory regimes relating to Public Health and Environmental Protectioni Travel throughout the area is an essential part of your job, so a driving licence and use of a car are pre-requisite.

Desirable

Chartered Member of the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland or equivalent (or working towards Chartered status).
A further relevant qualification in an appropriate specialist or management field.

EXPERIENCE

Essential

Detailed knowledge and extensive experience of working in the field of interest coupled with wide theoretical knowledge across Environmental Health functions.

A comprehensive understanding of the practical application of statutory regulations with an understanding of forthcoming proposed initiatives / developments / legislation.

Desirable

Significant post qualification experience in Environmental Health and a wider appreciation of the processes and procedures of local government in relation to relevant legislative matters.
Experience of managing staff

CLOSING DATE - Sunday 10^th May 2026

INTERVIEW DATE - Thursday 21^st May 2026

Job Advert

Position Title: Principal Environmental Health Officer

Directorate: Place

Location: PHEP / Fairfield House

Working from home: Hybrid

Contract Status: Permanent

Hours of Work: 36 hours per week

Working Pattern: Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00

Weeks per year: 52

Requirements

Compliance with the mandatory Cabinet Office PSN (Public Sector Network) Code of Connection requires the Council to meet a baseline personal security standard. This requires completion of a disclosure check for all employees who can access official information. The fee for this PSN Disclosure check will be met by the council.

Please note that Disclosure Scotland has changed the way certificates are issued. You will be notified by email from Disclosure Scotland that your certificate is available to view. Once you have viewed your certificate you will be allowed to share this with your employer and it is only available for 14 days from the first day you have viewed the certificate. If you do not grant access to Midlothian Council to view before access is removed, a further application will need to be generated, and this will incur an additional cost.

Additional Information

Midlothian Council is currently undergoing a period of transformation, changing and improving the way it delivers services in Midlothian. As a consequence, there are a number of existing employees for whom we are committed to seeking suitable alternative employment within the Council in accordance with our legal obligations. Candidates are advised that, for some vacancies, internal candidates in this situation will be interviewed before the wider selection pool and a slightly longer delay may be experienced before application outcomes can be advised to you. Thank you for your patience in this matter.

If you are a trainee of a Midlothian Council Training Programme, have a disability or you are a care experienced young person who has previously been a looked after child you are eligible for a guaranteed interview if you meet the essential criteria for the post.