Senior Food Safety Officer

Directorate: Assurance & Public Protection Contract Type: Permanent Hours: 36 Salary: Grade I £44,184 - £48,519 Location: Colindale Closing Date: Sunday October 18th 2026 Important Information for Current Barnet Council Employees Where possible, employees who have access to Oracle are encouraged to apply via the Opportunity Marketplace (Internal Career Site). This helps to ensure applications are correctly identified as internal and avoids potential delays during the recruitment process. Protect Public Health. Support Local Businesses. Make a Difference. Salary: Grade I £44,184 - £48,519 Are you an authorised Food Safety Officer looking for your next challenge? Barnet Council is seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Food Safety Officer to join our Environmental Health & Public Protection team. Working in one of London's largest and most diverse boroughs, you'll undertake a varied range of food hygiene and food standards work across independent businesses, national retailers, manufacturers and complex food operations. This is an excellent opportunity to develop your expertise, make a meaningful impact on public health, and be part of a supportive and ambitious service committed to delivering high-quality regulatory outcomes. Why Barnet? Barnet is a diverse and growing borough with thriving town centres, vibrant communities and a broad range of food businesses. We're committed to delivering excellent public services while supporting our employees to develop and succeed. Our values guide everything we do: Caring | Learning to Improve | Inclusive | Collaborate About the Service Environmental Health & Public Protection delivers a wide range of regulatory services that help create safer, healthier and more prosperous communities. Our Food Safety Team is highly regarded for its professional approach and delivers work across: Food hygiene and food standards interventions Imported food controls Health and safety enforcement in food premises Infectious disease investigations Outbreak response Business advice and compliance support Working within this team offers exposure to a diverse range of regulatory challenges and opportunities for professional growth. About the Role As a Senior Food Safety Officer, you will help safeguard public health and support compliance with food legislation across Barnet's diverse food sector. You will undertake inspections, investigations and enforcement activities, provide advice to businesses, and contribute to the delivery of a high-performing regulatory service. Please click here to download the Job description for this role. (Right-click and select “Open in new tab” so you can keep the job description open while completing your application) What You'll Be Doing Undertake food hygiene and food standards inspections in accordance with the Food Law Code of Practice. Investigate complaints relating to food safety and food standards. Take proportionate enforcement action where required. Provide advice and guidance to food businesses. Contribute to infectious disease investigations and outbreak control work. Prepare reports, witness statements and enforcement documentation. Maintain accurate records and case management systems. Work collaboratively with colleagues and partner agencies. What We're Looking For We're looking for a motivated and professional officer who is passionate about protecting public health and delivering excellent outcomes. You will have: A recognised Environmental Health qualification or qualification meeting Food Standards Agency competency requirements. Recent experience undertaking food hygiene inspections and other regulatory interventions. Sound knowledge of food safety legislation and the Food Law Code of Practice. Strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills. Excellent report-writing and investigative abilities. The ability to manage a varied workload and work both independently and as part of a team. A commitment to delivering excellent customer-focused services