Environmental Health Officer

Make a meaningful impact by protecting public health and the environment through diverse fieldwork, investigations, and community engagement.

12-month Contract until September 2026

Salary from $101,201.03 to $109,098.30 p.a. plus 12% Superannuation (Grade I)

Make a Difference Where You Work

We are seeking an Environmental Health Officer to join our team to help maintain and enhance the health, safety, and wellbeing of the Willoughby community. This role is essential in ensuring compliance with key legislation, responding to community concerns, and supporting sustainable development. The successful candidate will play a vital role in protecting both the natural and built environments through inspections, investigations, and expert advice that help uphold our city’s high standards of health and safety.

Why Join Us?

Make a Real Difference – Contribute directly to community health and environmental safety across one of Sydney’s most vibrant and diverse local government areas.

Collaborative & Supportive Team Culture – Be part of a dynamic, professional team that values innovation, integrity, and shared success.

Flexibility & Career Growth – Enjoy work-life balance with flexible working arrangements, generous leave, and ongoing professional development opportunities.

About the Role

As the Environmental Health Officer, you will:

Conduct inspections and enforce compliance with key environmental and public health legislation, taking appropriate actions such as issuing notices, initiating legal proceedings, and representing Council in court when required.

Carry out routine and after-hours inspections of regulated premises to ensure compliance with public health legislation and standards.

Provide expert environmental health advice on Development Applications referred to the Environmental Health Team, ensuring assessments align with statutory requirements and community expectations.

Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying and suggesting enhancements to Council’s environmental health practices, policies, and procedures, while applying strong communication and conflict resolution skills to effectively de-escalate challenging situations.

Deliver exceptional customer service in all interactions with residents, external stakeholders, Councillors, and internal teams, demonstrating professionalism and responsiveness.

Ensure accurate and compliant record-keeping in accordance with the State Records Act 1998 and Council’s policies, maintaining high standards of documentation and information management.

What You’ll Bring

Demonstrated experience in a similar role within environmental health, regulatory compliance, or a related field.

Relevant qualification and post graduate experience in environmental health and the inspection of food and health premises.

Awareness of and commitment to the principles of Work Health and Safety (WH&S) and a commitment to attend relevant training.

Current class C Driver’s Licence.

Detailed knowledge of relevant NSW food, environmental health and planning legislation, especially:

Food Act, 2003

Public Health Act, 2010

Local Government Act,1993

Protection of the Environment Operations Act, 1997

Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979

Desirable

Experience and understanding of environmental auditing and knowledge of waste and environment law.

Experience in undertaking environmental health research projects in Local Government.

How to apply

Visit https://www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Council/Working-with-us/Careers to apply or learn more including all about the range of benefits on offer at Willoughby.

For more information, contact: Richard Goulston, Acting Manager – Safe City at [email protected]. Applications should address all the key responsibilities outlined in the Position Description.

Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening including police and qualification checks.

Applications close: Sunday, 14 September 2025 at 11:30pm

Please note recruitment activity may commence before the closing date.

At Willoughby City Council, inclusion, diversity and belonging are core to how we work and how we recruit. We are committed to building a workplace that reflects the diversity of our community – one where everyone feels respected, valued and supported to contribute fully. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, abilities and identities – including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, LGBTIQA+ communities, veterans, and people of all ages. If you require adjustments during the recruitment process, we encourage you to let us know. We are committed to ensuring an accessible, inclusive and barrier-free experience for every candidate.