First, there was a brief written test with five or six scenarios for the candidate to prioritise in order of urgency and explain the rationale for their choices. The answer space was very limited, so responses had to be concise, and the exercise lasted around ten minutes. Second, there was a panel interview made up of the direct line manager for the role, the head of the team, and the head of a closely related service area. The panel began by introducing themselves and outlining the job, after which the candidate was invited to introduce themselves. Most of the questions were competency‑based and scenario‑based. Candidates can find useful preparation material online, as many of the council’s environmental protection enforcement documents are publicly available and give a good sense of the underlying legal framework and work processes.