We are looking for an Air Quality Officer to join a south west London local authority on a temporary basis
Job Purpose:
To contribute to the Council’s ambition to be Greener by managing and improving air quality, both directly and through collaboration with teams across the Council. This involves mitigating and reducing the impact air pollution has on our health and the environment by reviewing planning applications and their air quality assessments to ensure the site is air quality neutral or positive. You will also assist to deliver the smooth running of the Council’s air quality monitoring network and feed into the implementation of the Council’s Air Quality Action Plan. You will also lead on specific projects within this subject area.
Whilst focusing on air pollution, you will also help support colleagues working in the field of land quality. This will lead to an efficient provision of our Pollution Regulatory Service to protect residents, the public and businesses which contributes to the delivery of the Council Plan.
Description Of Duties:
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of air, water and land pollution to uphold competencies, skills and awareness of current best practice.
Work across all aspects of the team’s work in relation to monitoring and improving air quality and assist with overseeing implementation of the Council’s Air Quality Action Plan.
Deal with the review of planning applications, processing of applications (for example for Part B processes), notifications, Environmental Permits, referrals, consultations or schemes, carry out reviews and give approval, as directed using any powers that have been delegated in line with the grade and post.
Work in accordance with legislation, codes of practice, Council policies, procedures, protocols, guidance and good professional practice. Ensure all records and data are properly handled to ensure that confidentiality, continuity, evidence integrity, data quality, data protection and requests for information requirements are observed. Recommend any changes to relevant policies or procedures to the Team Manager as appropriate. Contribute to the development of the Service Plan and individual team plans and deliver services to residents and businesses as directed by those.
Deal with the preparation, interpretation and presentation of clear, accurate and timely reports, documents, schedules of work, spreadsheets, data analysis.
Provide a high level of customer care and quality, sound, timely and accurate professional advice, guidance and information about any work matter, to residents and other customers or colleagues and Members of the Council, treating them with respect and responding appropriately and sensitively to diverse cultural and social needs/expectations.
Maintain records of activities undertaken in accordance with service requirements, statutory notices, inputting and maintaining information held on databases used by the Service.
Represent the Service at meetings with both internal and external partnerships, work with a range of stakeholders including environmental consultants, other local authorities and key organisations and residents to ensure we are meeting their needs. Promote partnership working to achieve Service objectives.
Undertake consistent, proportionate, targeted, accountable and transparent action, in accordance with best practice advice and guidance and policies, to resolve any identified non-compliances.
Develop, implement, and enforce environmental and air quality related policies, using specialist technical skills and knowledge to protect residents, public and businesses.
Give talks at public enquiries, meetings, and exhibitions, as well as ensuring compliance through education, advice, and enforcement.
Manage and respond to queries relating to air quality, complaints and projects and provide advice and support to other Pollution Regulatory Team Officers including on areas like air quality.
Assist with projects and initiatives to ensure that objectives are delivered on time and within budget, including monitoring and evaluating the success of activities against the desired outcomes. Identify any improvements that can be made.
To undertake other duties as directed that are commensurate with the level and responsibilities of the post.
Equal Opportunities:
To be familiar with the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policies and to implement them in relation to the responsibilities of the post including through recruitment, career development and communication - where relevant.
To actively promote the Council’s wider approach to equality, diversity and inclusion through supporting / developing inclusive teams and ensuring the delivery of inclusive and accessible services and communications
To assist in the development of work designed to reach out to vulnerable groups and those who are socially excluded.
To know and adhere to the Council’s equal opportunities policy and relevant equalities legislation and implement in relation to job responsibilities in employment and service delivery.
Qualification and Experience:
Essential:
Degree or equivalent in relevant subject e.g. Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Hydrogeology, Geology, Civil Engineering, etc.
Minimum
A minimum of 2 years professional experience in undertaking ambient air quality monitoring, modelling and assessment and assessing emissions from domestic and industrial combustion plant
Desirable:
Master’s or other advanced degree relevant to Air Quality
Membership of the relevant environmental institution is preferable to allow the applicant to achieve a professionally recognised qualification.
Skills; Experience and Attitude
General
Detailed knowledge and understanding of EU, national and local environmental legislation and guidance related to air quality. Understanding of the duties and powers this legislation places on the department.
A thorough understanding of air quality assessments.
Experience of using a GIS based database and quantitative risk assessment modelling tools.
Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills. To be able to communicate complex themes in technical and non-technical terms, both orally and in writing, concisely with a variety of different audiences.
Numerate and well organised and be able to analyse and interpret complex data and seek solutions to technical challenges.
Experience and willingness to work within a team environment delivering an effective and proficient service to our users.
Excellent IT skills and experience working with large database systems.
A commitment to the Council’s equal opportunities policy and the ability to understand and implement the policy in relation to the job responsibilities.
Technical
Detailed knowledge and understanding of relevant environmental planning guidance and legislation.
Experience producing or reviewing air quality monitoring and assessment reports on small scale major developments/projects with minimal supervision and contribution to colleagues’ work on large scale major developments/projects.
Experience addressing the satisfaction of air quality requirements (e.g. planning conditions) on the relevant small scale major developments/projects.
Experience assisting in the coordination and management of air quality monitoring or improvement projects.
Desirable:
Experience producing, reviewing and assessing air quality monitoring, assessment and strategy reports on large scale major and strategic developments/projects and determining whether they satisfy air quality requirements (e.g. planning conditions) with no supervision.
Experience supervising staff in undertaking the review of submissions on all air quality details relevant to large scale major and strategic developments/projects.
Experience representing a local authority at all levels, internally and externally, in matters regarding air quality.
Experience managing budgets including project and team budgets.
Experience taking forward air quality monitoring and improvement projects including bid writing, designing, procuring, action planning and reporting.
Experience producing consultation responses on air quality related documents, strategies and legislation.
Experience producing local authority air quality action plans and annual progress reports.
Experience working with the planning system.
Understanding and preferably experience in implementing environmental legislation and guidance including the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016, Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control and Pollution Prevention and Control.
Experience in contaminated land monitoring, modelling and assessment.
Experience assessing the impacts of aviation noise.
