Directorate of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services

1 Year Fixed Term contract, Full time – 37 hours

RG4/5 (scp 11 – 28) £22,129 - £32,798

We have an exciting opportunity for the right person to join our Licensing Team to support and contribute to delivering our vision and protecting the quality of life of our residents.

Licensing in Reading is an exciting and varied area of work. We have a fantastic daytime and evening economy and all the associated challenges which that presents.

The focus of the licensing team is to ensure the safe and lawful operation of venues and activities, including taxis, private hire cars, nightclubs, pubs, cinemas, theatres, late night refreshment premises and street traders. We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and motivated Licensing Enforcement Officer who will assist in all aspects of Licensing enforcement work.

About the role

This role will give the successful candidate an opportunity to carry out a wide variety of Licensing Enforcement work, including:

• Carrying out proactive and reactive inspections of premises, vehicles and drivers and examining records and equipment to ensure compliance with licensing legislation and conditions
• With minimum support, producing and presenting reports to committee for licence applications and enforcement actions
• Responding to customer enquiries, providing support and evidence gathering for processing licence applications and project work
• Working with other Council departments, responsible authorities and government agencies
• Representing the licensing team at internal and external meetings such as the local safety advisory group and pub watch
• Carrying out mediation between licensees (and their representatives) and responsible authorities or other objectors to negotiate solutions where possible
• Ensuring that the correct fees and charges are levied

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and ensure efficient, effective and consistent processing and resolution of customer case work.

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

About you

We’re looking for:

• An enthusiastic and self-motivated individual,
• A proven track record of achievement in problem solving
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Competent user of Microsoft Office, e.g. Word, Excel, TEAMS, Sharepoint
• Excellent people management and communication skills
• Ability to work to tight deadlines
• Able to effectively prioritise workload
• Full driving licence
• Proven team working skills
• Experience in licensing or a similar statutory enforcement role (ideal)

Specific requirements

• Show flexibility and willingness to work unsocial hours and weekends where needed to undertake routine inspections and enforcement activity to include during events such as Reading Pride and Reading Festival.
• A willingness to work outdoors undertaking inspections and enforcing on illegal activities.
• An ability to case manage enquiries, representations and statutory obligations made in connection with licence applications.
• Political awareness and ability to escalate issues to senior managers to enable them to inform elected members.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in respect of all licence applications and other related matters at all times

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 24 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 32 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted, and a salary sacrifice scheme to help lower the cost of your nursery fees
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact Catherine.lewis@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: 24 July 2022

Interview Date: TBC

Interview Process: Face to Face Interview at Reading Civic Offices

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.