Job Description
Job Title:
Licensing Support Officer
Team/Service:
Safety and Licensing Team
Business Unit:
Environmental Health & Consumer Protection
Area:
Community Services
Responsible To:
Licensing Officers and Principal Safety and Licensing
Officer
(day to day issues)
Accountable To:
Principal Safety and Licensing Officer
(line manager)
Salary Grade:
Scale 3 - 4
1. Key Purpose of Job
1.1.
As an authorised Officer, to implement and administer a wide range of licensing
legislation including hackney carriages, private hire vehicles, sex shop licences,
street trading, premises licences, personal licences, gaming licences, etc.
1.2.
To assist, as appropriate in the enforcement of same.
2. Anticipated Outcomes of Post
2.1.
The provision of quality services to meet legislative need and the needs of the
community.
3. Key Duties
3.1.
To implement, administer and to assist in the enforcement of a wide range of
licensing legislation, including:
(i)
Investigating complaints relating to the full range of work undertaken
by the Team;
(ii)
Inspecting premises, vehicles and other licensable sites to determine
compliance with the requirements of licences and registrations issued,
in accordance with a priority-rating programme;
(iii)
Advise applicants, their agents, members of the public and other
interested parties on how to apply for and comply with those licences
administered by the section;
(iv)
Maintaining accurate records of all work, preparing prosecution files
and giving evidence in proceedings;
(v)
Keeping fully up to date with all matters affecting the licensing team;
(vi)
Undertaking as required, research and study of special projects and
the presentation of other members of the Division, information and
advice in relation to those specialisms;
(vii)
Promoting licensing and safety in respect of any of the above matters
by:
 Entering into informal and formal discussions, consultations and
correspondence;
 Conducting correspondence with owners, occupiers, licensees, etc;
 Assisting in the preparation of evidence and by attending Committee,
Court or Public Enquiries for the submission of evidence;
 Assisting in the Inspection of premises, the taking of samples, readings
or measurements and drawing such plans as are necessary for the
execution of the above duties;
 Providing administrative statistical and financial information regarding
licensing and safety mattes and activities.
(viii)
Assist the Licensing Officers and Principal Safety/Licensing Officer
with technical support for Committees, Sub-Committees, Hearings,
etc.
3.2.
Participating in the preparation of display and advisory leaflets as required.
Promoting and participating in any promotional campaign that may be
developed by the Division.
3.3.
Assisting in the scrutinisation of planning proposals and plans under the
Building Regulations and advising other Departments/Divisions on activities
relating to licensing.
3.4.
Undertaking surveys and projects to investigate trading practices and including
participation in covert surveillance.
3.5.
Assisting any other members of the Safety/Licensing Team in the exercise of
their duties.
3.6.
Advising, consulting and liaising with Officers, other Directorates and external
agencies.
3.7.
Ensuring that senior managers are kept aware of all developments requiring
their decision and reporting whenever necessary, as required.
3.8.
Attending Council Committees, Sub Committees, Working Parties, study
groups, meetings or further training as and when required.
3.9.
Maintaining and submitting accurate and timely records for the effective
performance of duties
3.10. To maintain databases (LALPAC) and information systems relating to premises,
persons or vehicles controlled by the Council.
3.11. Assist the Enforcement Officers, Licensing Officers, Environmental Health
Officers and Principal Safety/Licensing Officer in the effective performance of
their duties.
4. Budgetary Responsibilities
4.1.
None
5. Line Management Responsibilities
5.1.
None
6. Health and Safety Responsibilities
Employees:All employees will ensure that they;

Take care of their own safety and that of others.

Ensure that products, plant, equipment, vehicles and buildings are not damaged.

Comply with health and safety procedures and instructions.

Will not neglect, misuse, damage anything provided in the interest of health and safety.

Assist by reporting to their Line Manager any hazard, accident, damage or defect in
order that remedial action may be undertaken.

Undergo any training or instruction to enable them to work competently and safely.
7. Key Working Relationships
7.1.
External
All persons who contact the Environmental Health & Consumer Protection Division,
either for help or assistance, or any other reason. All persons/businesses whom the
Division regulates. All external agencies with whom the Division consults or works in
partnership with e.g. Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, Area Child Protection
Committee, Health and Safety Executive, LACORS, Devon Fire and Rescue, Health
Protection Agency, etc.
7.2.
Internal
Assistant Director (Environmental Health & Consumer Protection), Principal
Safety/Licensing Officer, Licensing Officers, Senior Environmental Health Officers,
Technical Officer (Safety/Licensing), Licensing Enforcement Officer, Technical Clerks
and all other Officers within the Council.
8. Other Duties
To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.
Other Information
a) All staff must commit to Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discriminatory Practice.
b) The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from
smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council
leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed
spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. Staff will not be
released for a break that is specifically for smoking.
c) The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all
relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
d) The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements.
e) This post is based at Roebuck House but the postholder may be required to move
their base to any other location within the Council at a future date.
f) The post holder may be asked to work reasonable additional hours outside of
normal office hours
g) As this post meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will
be subject to a criminal record check (Disclosure) from the Criminal Records
Bureau before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of ALL
cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions, whether “spent” or
“unspent”. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are
relevant to the post.
November 2008
Person Specification
Job
Title:
Licensing Support
Officer
Business
Unit:
Community Safety
Team/
Safety and Licensing
Service:
Managers will assess candidates against their ability to meet the essential requirements of the job.
Candidates will be assessed against their ability to meet the desirable requirements of the job in a competitive situation.
Candidates with a disability will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential requirements only.
Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.
Candidates should explain how they meet each of the numbered requirements within their supporting statement.
Essential
Skills and Effectiveness:
1. Able to work as part of a team, as well as with minimum
supervision
2. Communicate effectively with people at all levels
3. Diplomatic and persuasive
4. Accuracy and attention to detail, particularly when working to
deadlines
5. Able to present information in a clear and concise manner
that is easy to understand
Desirable
Essential
Desirable
Knowledge:
6. Broad understanding of Licensing principles.
7. Up to date knowledge of PC based computer systems.
1. Up to date knowledge of licensing law and practice,
including taxi law, Licensing and Gambling.
Experience/Achievements:
2. Previous Experience of carrying out enforcement
duties.
Qualifications/Professional Memberships:
3. Licensing based qualification.
4. Educated to HNC level or above.
Other requirements of the job
a) Ability to carry out the physical requirements of the role (i.e. manual handling)
b) Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/South West/UK/in order to carry out duties
c) Ability to accommodate unsociable hours/shift patterns/on-call/home-working
November 2008