Job Title: Licensing Officer
Salary or Salary Band: £32,020 - £34,723
Working Pattern: Full Time (37 hours) – Permanent
Location: Yate

How you’ll make a difference

As a Licensing Officer, you will be working within a busy and dynamic specialist
licensing team responsible for the delivery of advisory and enforcement services in
relation to a range of licensing legislation.

In the main Licensing Officers are responsible for activities within a defined case
load, though this can vary according to circumstance and demand. 

Including disciplines/areas in:

• Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers and operators
• Alcohol, entertainment and late-night refreshment establishments
• Hot food street traders
• Betting shops and gambling entertainment centres
• Scrap metal collectors and dealers

You will make a difference by taking the lead in the response to licensing applications, writing reports for Sub-Committee hearings, responding to complaints, proactive compliance and enforcement work where necessary. This may include investigating, preparing and taking cases to Court.

As well as educating existing authorisation holders and members of the public in relation to all aspects of licensing.

This role is challenging and there will be some physical aspects to the job, such as being part of multi-agency operations inspecting vehicles in outdoor locations, but we can assure you that this will be a rewarding role as a Council’s expert witness when required.

What will you be doing?  

• You will inspect and place public notices required to be displayed by applicants and by the Licensing Authority, such as a notice of review of premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003.
• It will be your responsibility to conduct planned and targeted inspections of high-risk licensed premises and/or activities for compliance with the law, this is to ensure public safety, protect the environment, protect children from harm and prevent public nuisance. This will include co-ordination and participation in multi-agency inspections.
• You will provide accurate specialist advice to service users on interpreting agreed policies ensuring that effective partnership working relationships are established and maintained.
• You will record and investigate complaints taking appropriate enforcement actions as necessary, ensuring all communication records, evidence, and information gathered are stored and handled in line with national legislation and legal guidelines.
• It will be your responsibility to prepare and present reports on cases and/ or matters arising ensuring that they are completed within a procedural timescale. Subsequently you will attend licensing sub-committee hearings to present these reports and/or give evidence as part of any hearing.
• You will attend Crown/Magistrates’ Court hearings to give evidence as a witness in connection with licensing prosecutions and appeals.
• You will plan and organise projects and cases to achieve defined council policy outcomes in accordance with agreed standards and timescales.
• You will keep informed of all appropriate best practice, legislation and central government policies and undertake internal and external training where necessary, keeping up to date with changes in legislation and to implement those which will affect the service.
• As and when appropriate you will give some technical advice and guidance to service team members.

What we need from you:

•  It is essential that you are educated to degree or equivalent qualification in licensing law, or equivalent relevant experience in applying regulatory services law and be working towards a relevant professional/ technical qualification.
• You must have relevant practical experience of licensing and/or other regulatory services enforcement backed by evidence of appropriate specialist knowledge of licensing and other regulatory related issues.
• It is required for you to demonstrate knowledge and problem-solving methodology of licensing legislation and powers particularly as they apply to local authorities, including their practical application.
• You will be able to self-manage and determine your own priorities in dealing with competing workloads.
• You must have excellent verbal and written communication skills to build relationships and engage successfully with community groups and partner organisations.

The post will be predominantly working at premises and locations in South Gloucestershire. Smarter working technology allows to also work at all council offices and from home.

Evening and weekend working is an integral part of the post to ensure compliance in the licensed trades, with regular work outside of the normal office hours.

How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different  

We know our team work best when they have balance in their lives and we offer genuine flexibility to help them achieve that work/life balance.

We value our staff as individuals, investing in their careers and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our training and development offer, which helps make the greatest long-term difference in work. 

As part of our benefits package you will receive generous annual leave (pro rata), employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities.

We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.  

Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here.  

• We're building and shaping communities which people are proud of 
• We're planning for the future; building and improving the roads, railways, schools, green spaces, and houses. 
• We’re providing essential services across our communities to ensure they are safe and well maintained. 

We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference. 

We’re making a difference, be part of it!

For more information, please contact Kevin Barley via kevin.barley@southglos.gov.uk

To apply, please visit:  Licensing Officer in Yate - South Gloucestershire Council (southglos.gov.uk)