Food Safety Officer

Important Information for Current Barnet Council EmployeesWhere 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.

Why You'll Love Working Here

Make a Genuine Difference

Your work directly protects residents, visitors and consumers whilst helping businesses operate safely and successfully.

Diverse and Interesting Work

Barnet's wide range of food businesses provides exposure to challenging and rewarding regulatory work across multiple sectors.

Invest in Your Professional Development

We actively support continuing professional development, specialist training and competency development, helping you maintain and enhance your expertise.

Flexible Ways of Working

We recognise the importance of work-life balance and support flexible and hybrid working arrangements wherever operationally possible.

Be Part of a Supportive Team

Join experienced colleagues who value collaboration, learning and professional excellence.

What We Offer

• 31 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Excellent learning and development opportunities 
• Professional training and continuing professional development 
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support 
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Salary sacrifice and payroll benefit schemes 
• Retail, travel, leisure and lifestyle discounts 
• Two paid volunteering days per year

Ready to Make a Difference?

Join a professional and supportive team that is passionate about protecting public health and helping businesses thrive.

For an informal discussion, please contact:

Andrew Willis
Service Manager - Environmental Health (Commercial)
✉ andrew.willis@barnet.gov.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 11th October 2026
 

Working for Barnet

Barnet Council is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and support flexible working, equality of opportunity and employee wellbeing.

Caring • Learning to Improve • Inclusive • Collaborate

 System notice: Some dates shown on our online application system (such as “Apply Before”) appear in US date format (MM/DD/YYYY) due to Oracle system settings.
 Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a useful tool to support your application as a reasonable adjustment, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn, escalated to counter Fraud for further investigation and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
 Barnet Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Barnet operates stringent safer recruitment procedures, this may include AI Detection Screening, Biometric ID/Right to Work Checks, Qualification and Registration Checks, Up to 6 years of Employment Data and Insights to Accelerate Screening (Konfir), Up to 5 years of Employment History References, DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) Checks, Credit Checks and Social Media, Sanctions and Occupational Health Screening.
 To deliver Barnet Council’s commitment to equality of opportunity in the provision of services, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. As such we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds.Barnet Council embraces all forms of flexible working (including part-time, compressed hours, and hybrid working) and is committed to offering employees a healthy work-life balance. Candidates are encouraged to talk about relevant requirements and preferences at interview. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise not to judge you for asking.
 Barnet Council is a Disability Confident Committed Employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply 
 All posts with the council are subject to a probationary period of six months, during which time you will be required to demonstrate to the council satisfaction your suitability for the position in which you will be employed.
 Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.
 Please ensure you regularly check the email account (including JUNK MAIL folders) that you use to submit your application, as any further communication regarding your application will be sent electronically. Should you not hear from us within four working weeks of the closing date for this post, then regretfully in this instance, you have not been shortlisted. 

Responsibilities