EPPING FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE:
Trainee Contaminated Land
Officer
POST NO:
GCL02
DIRECTORATE:
Governance
SECTION:
Development
Management
GRADE:
4-5
CAR ALLOWANCE:
Casual
POLICE CHECK:
No
PURPOSE OF THE JOB:
DIRECTLY
RESPONSIBLE TO:
DIRECTLY
RESPONSIBLE FOR
LIMITS OF AUTHORITY;
PROGRESSION FROM
GRADE 4 TO GRADE 5
To support the identification of potential risks from land contamination
to residents, the public, controlled waters and the built and natural
environment from land contamination on development sites. To assist
in the process of advising planning officers on the feasibility of
development. To also assist in the identification of potential health &
safety risks from land contamination at building sites being regulated
by Building Control. Help the Senior Contaminated Land Officer inn
reviewing submitted investigation reports and remediation schemes in
order to protect the health and well being of residents and the public.
Senior Contaminated Land Officer
None
See attached sheet.
Candidates will qualify for progression to Grade 5 after twelve months
on demonstrating competence in meeting the criteria outlined in 1 (d)
of the Person Specification.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
(a) Service responsibilities
1. To assist the Senior Contaminated Land Officer in the carrying out of detailed research in
order to identify potential risks from land contamination, to assess the feasibility of
redevelopment for all planning application sites where potential risks have been identified.
2. To assist in advising planning officers on either the unsuitability of sites for their proposed
uses or on the use of appropriate conditions in order to secure their safe development.
3. To support the Senior Contaminated Land Officer and be able to carry out site visits, as
appropriate, in order to identify and assess contamination risks or to inspect investigation
and remediation works.
4. To assist in the review all land contamination reports submitted by developers in support of
the discharge of land contamination planning conditions and to provide specific guidance
and offer feasible solutions in order to ensure compliance with current regulatory standards.
5. To assist in the provision of pre-application specialist advice with respect to land
contamination investigations, risk assessments, remediation measures and the feasibility of
particular types of development to developers and their specialist consultants.
6. To support the Senior Contaminated Land Officer who may be required to give expert
technical evidence at Public Enquiries and to provide technical guidance to Informal
Hearings and for Written Representations with respect to planning appeals.
7. To able to gain the necessary experience and training to provide evidence in court where
necessary in support of Planning Enforcement cases.
8. To assist in the provision of detailed guidance to Forward Planning with respect to the
formulation of Land Contamination Policies and the suitability of Local Plan sites for
redevelopment.
9. To assist in the production of detailed Contaminated Land Reports and the provision of
guidance on land contamination risks and water pollution issues at for any sites either
managed or owned by Epping Forest District Council.
10. To help screen all sites being regulated by Building Control in order to identify land
contamination risks and to specify appropriate remediation methods to ensure safe
development.
11. To be able to visit sites as part of the support arrangements in assisting the Senior
Contaminated Land Officer in working with Building Control to characterise potentially
contaminated land encountered during building works and to identify feasible remediation
solutions where appropriate.
12. To assist the Senior Contaminated Land Officer to produce detailed guidance from the
outline land contamination requirements published in the National Planning Policy
Framework and in publishing in depth advice for developers of contaminated land and their
specialist advisors for the Council’s website and to keep these up to date as new legislation
or guidance is published.
13. To support the maintenance of a GIS database of potentially contaminated sites and their
remediation and the maintenance of files and other records systems including computer
files relating to the duties of the post.
14. To work with the Senior Contaminated Land Officer to maintain specialist knowledge of
existing technical and legal requirements affecting Land Contamination. Keeping abreast
with new requirements and developments and the attendance of relevant training courses.
15. To undertake other duties as required within the responsibility levels and overall purpose of
the post.
(b) Corporate responsibilities:
To provide technical advice to other council directorates as required.
To observe and uphold the Council’s Corporate Values and Behaviours.
To observe all of the requirements of Safeguarding and to report any potential concerns in
accordance with the Council’s Safeguarding Policy.
(c) Management responsibilities: None
(d) Responsibilities for Health and Safety:
The post holder will be responsible for their personal Health and Safety whilst in the office
and out on site. The post holder will comply with any Health and Safety legislation specific
to the site being visited or any equipment being used.
(e) Responsibilities for Finance:
Preparing orders for authorisation by appointed officers in accordance with standing orders
POLITICALLY RESTRICTED POST:
No
REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ACT 1974:
NoEXEMPT/NOT EXEMPT
Signed: _________________________________ Date: ____________________
(Director)
Signed: _________________________________ Date: ____________________
(Post Holder)
PERSON SPECIFICATION
POST TITLE: Trainee Contaminated Land Officer
POST NO: GCL02
ESSENTIAL
1.
DESIRABLE
ASSESSMENT
METHOD
(AF/I/ST/P)
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND KNOWLEDGE
(a) What educational attainment/qualifications are required to carry
out the post on appointment? (e.g. GCSE, ‘A’ Level, Degree)
A good honours degree in Environmental Science or similar
scientific subject.
E
AF
E
AF/I
E
AF/I
E
AF/I
E
AF/I
(b) What specialist training is required to carry out the post on
appointment?
Within six months of appointment, to have achieved an outline
knowledge of the legislative and technical aspects in the application
of the Contaminated Land regime and associated environmental
disciplines.
(c) What (if any) specific IT training is required?
Some understanding of GIS and Mapping Software at
intermediate/advanced level.
(d) Progression from Grade 4 to Grade 5
Appointed candidates will need to demonstrate competence in the
following to progress to Grade 5 after twelve months service;
i. Be able to use, maintain and update Contaminated Land GIS and
Spreadsheet databases and relevant Council record systems.
ii. Be able to demonstrate a good general working knowledge of
relevant legislation, planning/building control procedures and
Council policy.
iii. Demonstrate a good basic understanding of Contaminated
Land including Risk Assessment and Remediation.
2.
EXPERIENCE
(a) What Work Experience is required on appointment?
(specify type and length of time)
A good understanding of prioritising work and willingness to learn
basic office and caseload management procedures.
(b) Ability to develop written and technical skills relating to
Contaminated Land (chemistry, geology, hydrology, microbiology,
toxicology, ecology, environmental analysis, risk assessment) and
Water, Waste and Environmental sectors.
D
AF/I
(c) Willingness to undertake detailed induction, training and professional
development covering all areas of contaminated land risk
assessment, assessment of chemical, physical, biological and
radioactive contaminants, processes involved in implementing a
wide range of intrusive and non-intrusive investigation, sampling,
monitoring and analytical methods pertaining to the investigation of
soils, ground gas regimes and water pollution.
E
AF/I
E
AF/I
E
AF/I
(d) Within six months candidates need have a basic understanding of
contaminated land remediation methods including barriers,
solidification, in-situ and ex-situ chemical and biological treatment
and vapour extraction methods and the installation and verification
of gas and vapour measures in buildings.
(f)
Within twelve months candidates should have an understanding of
statutory legislation and regulatory and industry guidance relating to
contaminated land, water pollution, waste management and
environmental protection and associated planning requirements and
building regulations.
ESSENTIAL
3.
DESIRABLE
ASSESSMENT
METHOD
(AF/I/ST/P)
WHAT SKILLS ARE REQUIRED ON APPOINTMENT IN ORDER TO
CARRY OUT THE JOB?
(a) Oral communication?
Within three months candidates should be able to display good
communication and customer focused service management skills
and must be able to effectively communicate detailed technical
information to specialist professionals and non specialist elected
members, officers and the public.
(b) Written communication?
To be able to develop good writing skills to relating to report writing
and reviewing of technical complex land contamination reports.
E
AF/I
E
AF/I
E
AF/I
E
AF/I
E
AF/I
E
AF/I
E
AF/I
E
AF/I
E
AF/I
E
AF/I
E
AF/I
(c) IT skills?
Within six months candidates should be able to maintain GIS
databases and to extract appropriate data for use in analysing
contaminated land.
(d) General Skills?
Candidates need to be able to work to deadlines and maintain
accuracy under pressure.
4.
EXPECTED VALUES AND BEHAVIOURS
(a) Trust
Demonstrate an understanding of the need to be open, honest and
respectful when dealing with other staff, our residents and customers
Maintain high ethical and professional standards when dealing with
personal and confidential information.
(b) One Team
5.
6.
Demonstrate the ability to work well in a team environment,
supporting colleagues, responding positively to changing work
priorities and practices.
(c) Performance
Able to manage own time and prioritise work in an organised manner
to deliver the best possible service to council residents and
customers
(d) Innovation
Seek to develop, deliver and implement improved new ways of
working.
(e) Customer
Be able to recognise that customers are the council’s primary
stakeholders who need to be consulted and informed about their
service needs.
What are the physical demands required to carry out the job?
Extracting and replacing plans from large plan tanks,
retrieving and carrying large files
D
AF/I
D
AF/I
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
(a) Vehicle and driving licence
(b) A satisfactory attendance record in accordance with the Council’s
Managing Absence policy, taking account of your individual
circumstances.
*AF – Application Form
I – Interview
ST – Sample Test
P - Presentation
E
AF/I
EPPING FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL
LIMITS OF AUTHORITY
Post No: GCL02
Authority:
Post Title: Trainee Contaminated Land Officer
Comments:
Spending Control Officer
For budgets and expenditure codes attaching to the
post as set out in the Council’s budget document and
subject to direction by the Head of Service.
None
Authorised Signatory
As set out in the schedule maintained by the Head of
Finance and updated from time to time by the Head
of Service.
None
Financial Regulations
As required by Heads of Service or as directed by
the Council.
May be required to maintain detailed financial
information regarding technical and consultancy reports
Delegated Authorities
As determined by the Head of Service in accordance
with the schedule of delegated authorities in the
Council’s Constitution.
None.
Statutory Authorities
As determined by the Head of Service and approved
by Council specifically or as delegated.
None
Signing of Correspondence
As determined by the Head of Service in any
relevant category of correspondence.
Can sign all correspondence as agreed with Assistant
Director Development Management.
Supervisory/Managerial
As determined by the Head of Service.
None.