Licensing Officer - South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils

Salary: £37891 to £43191

Location: Abingdon, Oxfordshire / Hybrid Working

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time, 37 per week

Licensing Officer Responsibilities:

To assist in the delivery of the objectives set out in the service plan

To assess and determine licence applications and related matters correctly in an efficient and timely manner in accordance with legislation and the councils’ policies

To deal with requests for information and advice relevant to licensing matters as required including presentations at forums and briefing sessions for Councillors, the general public and other agencies

To maintain an awareness and understanding of new legislation and/or best practices relevant to licensing sufficient to perform tasks related to the post and to provide expert advice to others, and assist in implementing any resulting changes to policies, procedures and practices

To produce and present reports to committee for licence applications and enforcement actions

To carry out investigations into complaints and enforcement work to regulate licensable activities, including interviews of relevant persons, compilation of reports, statements and files for enforcement action and to attend Court to give evidence in relation to appeals or prosecutions as required

To keep accurate records of all work undertaken on the relevant licensing database and ensure maintenance of the public registers

To carry out proactive and reactive inspections of premises, vehicles and drivers and examine records and equipment to ensure compliance with licensing legislation and conditions

To assist in co-ordinating the local Safety Advisory Group as required

To attend internal and external meetings to represent the Licensing team as required, for example Pub Watch and working groups

To invigilate and manage the knowledge test process including periodic review of the content of the tests

To assist in review and development of licensing policies and documentation such as application forms and model licence conditions

To ensure the correct fees and charges are levied

To carry out mediation between licensees (and their representatives) and responsible authorities or other objectors to negotiate solutions where possible

To maintain confidentiality in respect of all licence applications and other related matters at all times

To work outside normal office hours, including evenings and weekends, to undertake routine inspections and enforcement activity

To liaise and work with other Council departments, responsible authorities and government agencies as necessary

Your essential skills, knowledge and experience

One year’s experience in licensing or a similar statutory enforcement role

Competent user of Microsoft Office, e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Use of licensing databases

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines

Able to effectively prioritise workload

Proven team working skills

Full driving licence and access to a vehicle for business use

Able to work during the evening and night plus at other times outside of normal working periods

Political awareness and the ability to escalate issues to senior managers to enable them to inform elected members

Your essential qualifications

Educated to degree level or have a relevant professional qualification or extensive experience in licensing or closely related field

If you have the following experience or qualifications – it’s a bonus

Strong analytical / problem solving skills

Ability to research concepts / projects with minimal supervision

Experience of project management

Experience of using the Uniform licensing database

About us:

Our vision and values are important to the councils and we expect you to support them and embed them in the way we work.

We are seen as being customer-focussed, approachable and business-like. We are honest and open and are renowned for providing high quality cost effective services.

The benefits we offer:

A basic 24 days annual leave per annum, rising to 29 days after five years. You also have all the bank holidays to look forward to and time off between Christmas and New Year.

Flexible working and annualised hours – a flexible approach to work that our employees love!

Salary pay awards – most jobs give scope for a pay increase after six months or the following April (depending on your start date) and we also review salaries each April.

A generous career average pension scheme which includes life insurance of three times your salary

The opportunity to purchase a bike through Cyclescheme (cheaper than directly through a store) so that you can cycle to work!

A salary sacrifice car lease scheme – a fully inclusive driving package for a fixed monthly cost

Various schemes to keep you healthy (reduced gym membership, free swims, workplace exercise classes, contributory medical schemes, wellbeing appointments, free eye tests for DSE users and more)

We give you two days per year to volunteer within the local community.

MORE INFORMATION & APPLY ONLINE