Apprentice Environmental Health Practitioner

Duties and responsibilities

• Support colleagues across the whole Public Protection Unit in the day to day delivery of the service whilst undertaking the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the work.
• Under the supervision and guidance of the Senior Environmental Health Officers to work with residents, businesses and other service users to provide advice and assistance.
• To own and be responsible for completion of tasks to established standards and quality expectations.
• Maintain accurate up to date electronic and manual records and to prepare written statements of evidence in connection with legal proceedings and make court appearances, as necessary.
• Carry out inspections, monitor and enforce appropriate legislation and implement good practice in relation to the approved work programme in:
  • Food premises
  • Premises for which the Council is the enforcing authority for health and safety
  • Premises to which environmental protection legislation applies
  • Domestic premises
  • Premises controlled in relation to animal licensing
• Identify, escalate and support complex investigations and enforcement activities to Senior EHO’s.
• Carry out general environmental health duties including infectious disease control, water sampling and visits to commercial premises.
• Respond to consultation requests, including assessing and reporting on the impacts of planning, building regulations, economic development proposals and licensing applications.
• Assist with and organise public funerals.
• Carry out the duties in respect of private water supplies including risk assessment and sampling as appropriate.
• Respond to requests for advice and information and produce reports on any activities carried out.
• Attend or address public meetings, liaison groups, consultation and partnership groups and other related groups relevant to your work area to explain or present the work
• Undertake continuing professional development and maintain knowledge of changes in legislation, technology and best practice.
• Manage and monitor own work activities and report progress to the Public Protection Manager.
• Carry out other tasks and duties appropriate to the role or to support the achievement of the degree qualification.

Person Specification

• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
• Highly motivated, enthusiastic and capable of working under own initiative
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and experience in report writing for a diverse audience including elected members
• Ability and willingness to work towards an apprenticeship qualification
• Analytical skills to gather and analyse information and data from a variety of sources
• Ability to work accurately under pressure, working to agreed goals and responding to challenges constructively, managing time well and thinking positively
• Ability to work collaboratively and build professional relationships with colleagues and partner organisations
• Experience of working in local government (desirable)
• Excellent IT skills with a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Commitment to developing and maintaining high levels of customer care
• Ability to use own initiative and organise and manage own workload to meet priorities with minimal supervision
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to work outside office hours, including evening visits and meetings
• Full current driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes

Benefits

• Flexible working
• Family friendly policies
• On-site free parking
• Up to 31 days' annual leave
• Option to purchase additional leave
• Salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme
• Savings and loan scheme
• Discounted gym membership
• Generous pension scheme
• Additional voluntary contribution to AVC
• Staff reward scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee forums (Your Voice, Health & Wellbeing)

General Statement

The information contained in this job description is provided to assist employees joining the council to understand and appreciate the work content of their post and the role they will play in the organisation. However, the following point should be noted:

Whilst every endeavour has been made to outline all the duties and responsibilities of the post, a document such as this does not permit every item to be specified in detail. Broad headings, therefore, may have been used, in which case all the usual associated routines are naturally included in the job description.

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you will need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.

Interview Date – Monday 21st July 2025