Enforcement Officer

Job title: Enforcement Officer

Salary: SO1 £34,434 – £36,363, Plus 12.5% Shift Allowance and Weekend Working Allowance

Hours: Full Time

Contract: Permanent

Location: Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Service, 225 York Road, Leeds, LS9 7RY

Leeds is a vibrant and progressive city with many people making daily use of thousands of taxi and private hire vehicles, particularly in our thriving night time economy. The council has a duty to ensure that people can use these services safely, confident that all vehicles are inspected and drivers checked in accordance with our driver and vehicle licensing regulations.

The Taxi & Private Hire Licensing service is a regulatory service licensing over 6000 drivers and 5000 Hackney Carriage (taxi) / Private Hire vehicles in Leeds. The Enforcement Officer role is at the front line of the council’s focus on public safety.

The role is regulatory and investigative, with our Principal Enforcement Officers leading a team of Enforcement Officers to investigate complaints about drivers and operators, check compliance of licensed vehicles, and determine their safety. The successful applicants will work closely with licensing officers, with police and other agencies and partners to maintain passenger safety and public confidence. Applicants will need to either possess or acquire an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, have experience of securing, preserving and presenting evidence in line with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, and will also have a thorough knowledge of the associated legislation to ensure strict adherence to the legal framework.

The role will work in a strict, regulated arena where fairness, accuracy and analysis of information and the presentation of facts is vital in the criminal and civil courts. The successful applicants will be responsible for the successful presentation of cases from complaint to court, and will be required to attend court frequently and be accountable for their investigations.

Applicants will be required to comprehensively and convincingly demonstrate the appropriate level of skills, knowledge and experience.

The role requires shift working on a fortnightly pattern, covering weekdays one week, and weekends and nights the following week.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About You

• Mature and professional approach to promoting the professional standards of the Service
• Experience of enforcing compliance with regulations
• The experience of reporting events in a clear, accurate and concise manner
• Flexible in approach to work within team and with other colleagues
• A willingness to work beyond and outside normal hours

About The Role

As our next Enforcement Officer, you’ll be committed to public safety and maintaining high standards within the Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Service. We are looking for a dedicated and diligent Enforcement Officer to join our team. In this role, you will be a frontline representative of the service, responsible for ensuring that licensed drivers, operators and vehicles, comply with licensing regulations. You will play a vital role in safeguarding the public, ensuring vehicles are safe, and maintaining fair practice across the industry. The role is integral to our Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Service, working alongside the licensing and vehicle inspection teams.

What We Offer You

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How To Apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Richard Perrett, Service Manager Operations and Compliance tel. 0113 078 1576 or email richard.perrett@leeds.gov.uk

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you’ll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

The Taxi & Private Hire Licensing Section is responsible for the licensing, inspection and supervision of taxis and private hire drivers and their vehicles. This includes processing applications for operators and drivers, testing drivers and vehicles, and enforcing compliance on the street. In addition, the Section also has responsibilities for monitoring and checking Council fleet vehicles and contractor vehicles to ensure that they are operating within the Council’s fleet management policy in respect of the Social Services and Education ‘Permit’ schemes.

• To ensure that the taxi and private hire trade in Leeds is operated in a safe and professional manner, and that the correct standards of safety, comfort and appearance are satisfied by all vehicles, drivers and operators.
• To ensure that all vehicles permitted by the Taxi & Private Hire Section are operated in accordance with the Council’s conditions and policy.

Responsibilities

• The main purpose of the post is to carry out inspections and investigations on the street, at 225 York Road, and at operators premises to ensure that the key objectives are met.
• Pass Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service checks.
• Abide by the Taxi & Private Hire Licensing Section Code of Practice for the operation of CCTV mobile unit and other digital recording devices, including recording and retention of data.
• Carry out on‑street inspection of vehicles, drivers, ranks and operator premises to ensure compliance with legal requirements and licence conditions.
• Check licensed vehicles for comfort, general safety and appearance.
• Issue notices of licence suspensions, vehicle off‑the‑road, and other similar documents where appropriate.
• Prepare and submit relevant reports, evidence, statements etc., following any offence or breach of conditions.
• Provide information to the public on the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle trade. Investigate and deal with complaints.
• Conduct local knowledge tests where required.
• Carry out roadside vehicle general safety inspections in conjunction with West Yorkshire Police.
• Prepare information for, and attend court in respect of offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and all related legislation.
• Serve prosecutions and summons to Private Hire/Taxi operators and drivers.
• Attend and advise licensing panel and present reports where required.
• Present seminars to new drivers and operators covering the rules and regulations of the trade.
• Assist and advise licensed drivers and operators on all aspects of the legal requirements and conditions which apply to the trade.
• Verify licence application details and interview applicants with regard to all aspects of the application (including previous convictions).
• Check and monitor permitted and contracted vehicles and drivers to ensure compliance with the Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Specification and Conditions, and where applicable, the Council’s Permit system.
• Prepare information and reports to Legal Services Officers and Departmental Transport Officers in respect of permitted and contracted vehicles.
• Any other duties appropriate to the grade.
• Abide by the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy in the duties of the post and as an employee of the Council.

Essential Requirements

• Ability to write clear and concise statements and reports.
• Ability to use computer systems, especially Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Verbal communication skills, clear and precise.
• Basic competency in vehicle inspections.
• Knowledge of static and mobile camera equipment and CCTV recording devices.
• Ability to achieve limited Tester Status.
• Up‑to‑date knowledge of Taxi and Private Hire legislation.
• Knowledge of Motor Vehicle and Construction and Use regulations.
• Knowledge of the Taxi and Private Hire trade.
• Possess or attain a Security Industry Authority licence and Level 2 BTEC Award in CCTV Operations.
• Valid driving licence.
• Experience enforcing compliance with regulations.
• Experience preparing written reports and statements.
• Experience dealing with difficult people and conflict situations.
• Experience in customer advisory capacity.
• Experience reporting events accurately and concisely.
• Teamworking skills.
• Willingly abide by the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
• Mature and professional approach to promoting professional standards.
• Remain calm and polite under stress.
• Willingness to take personal responsibility and abide by the Council’s Health and Safety policy.
• Ability to implement change positively.
• Commitment to providing high‑quality services to clients.
• Commitment to the efficient working of the Legal and Democratic Service and the objectives of Leeds City Council.
• Commitment to personal development and training.
• Aware of the sensitive and confidential nature of the work.
• Willingness to work beyond and outside normal hours.
• Flexible in working within team and with colleagues.

Essential Behavioural & Other Characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council values, behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement and delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
• Understand and apply Council policies and procedures.
• Carry out all duties with regard to Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
• Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to maintain knowledge and skills.
• Flexible and adaptive to change, supporting other services as required.
• Ensure equality and support diversity, upholding anti‑discriminatory practice.
• Recognise and challenge incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation and other abuse, reporting concerns appropriately.
• Work within Council’s flexibility protocol.

Desirable Requirements

• Knowledge of local government functions.
• Experience using digital recording devices to capture still and moving images.
• Knowledge of current digital video and editing software.
• Experience working in a multicultural environment.
• Experience in working shifts.

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