About the role The Environmental Health Officer (EHO) protects public health and community wellbeing across the Longreach region by delivering risk-based environmental health education, compliance and enforcement services under relevant legislation and local laws. The role covers environmental health and local laws compliance; food business licensing, education and compliance; public health nuisances; asbestos management; trade waste management; and recreational water testing and compliance. The officer works with Council teams, businesses, community members and relevant agencies, contributes to the planning and improvement of environmental health programs, shares knowledge with less experienced colleagues, and refers complex, high-risk or precedent-setting matters to the manager.

Key responsibilities

- Identify and assess environmental health risks, and plan and prioritise own work program and caseload according to the risk to public health and community safety.

- Conduct planned inspections, audits and investigations, and respond to complaints, service requests, pollution incidents and unsanitary conditions within Council's area of responsibility.

- Use education and take compliance or enforcement action appropriate to the evidence, seriousness of the risk, legal requirements and Council policy. Exercise statutory powers, including issuing statutory notices and infringement notices, within the scope and conditions of current delegations and authorisations.

- Explain environmental health legislation, local laws and the steps needed to comply in clear,



practical language for businesses, community members, Council teams and decisionmakers.

- Work with Regulatory Services and other Council teams where responsibilities overlap, including animal-related health risks, rural land use, biosecurity and environmental impacts.

- Administer relevant local laws and subordinate local laws relating to environmental health, public safety and community amenity, and investigate alleged breaches.

- Assess food business licence applications and supporting information. Make licensing decisions within current delegations and authorisations or prepare recommendations for the appropriate authorised decision-maker.

- Inspect food premises to assess compliance with food safety requirements and licence conditions and identify practices requiring improvement.

- Implement and maintain water quality monitoring programs for public pools, spas and similar recreational facilities. Conduct field testing and collect water samples, assess results against applicable requirements, and identify public health risks.

- Maintain accurate inspection reports, investigation records, evidence and correspondence in Council's customer request management,



inspection and licensing systems.

About you

- Environmental health graduate or officer who has worked in environmental health or regulatory roles within local government or the broader public sector.

- Strong verbal communication skills with the ability to educate, influence and negotiate compliance outcomes with diverse stakeholders.

- Well-developed written skills to produce clear and defensible reports, notices, correspondence and enforcement documentation.

- Ability to manage conflict and challenging interactions professionally and safely.

- High attention to detail and accurate record keeping that meets evidentiary and statutory requirements.

- Developed analytical, problem-solving and negotiation skills, with the ability to work independently under general direction and manage a wide-ranging caseload.

- Ability to undertake recreational water testing, interpret results, assess risk and implement corrective actions.

- Demonstrated ability, gained through work experience or practical placement, to undertake food premises inspections, education, licensing/registration processes and reactive investigations.

- Sound knowledge and practical application of environmental health legislation, standards and risk-based compliance principles relevant to local government in Queensland, including the Food Act 2006, Public Health Act 2005 and Environmental Protection Act 1994.

- Classification 4 vehicle authorisation for business use required.

📌 Environmental Health Officer (Longreach)
🏢 Longreach Regional Council
📍 Longreach