Environmental health practitioner

This occupation is found in the public sector, typically in local authorities, but also in third-party and private businesses. The majority will be employed in local government and in private industry although they may also carry out their duties in a wider range of settings including: central government, consultancies, the NHS, armed services, public health protection, not for profit businesses and charities. They will work in a range of departments in which they will apply their professional knowledge and skills on a range of areas, such as environmental protection, food safety, health and safety at work, housing standards and public health. This occupation could be based locally, regionally, nationally or internationally.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to act as advisers, educators, consultants and enforcement officers, enabling people to live and work in safe, healthy environments. By undertaking a risk-based approach, Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) will promote a safe and healthy environment for the public and businesses, through education and enforcement. For example, inspecting food premises and workplaces for food safety and health and safety compliance, monitoring air quality, undertaking emergency interventions, investigating food fraud, safety and noise control at large events, dealing with rogue landlords, investigating food poisoning outbreaks, licensing tattoo parlours and investigating accidents at work. They work in a range of environments and will spend much of their time out in the community with businesses and the public. They may have to work evenings and weekends to meet the job needs. EHPs may specialise in one of the following areas, or deal with them all:

• Environmental protection including noise, nuisance, air, water and land pollution
• Food safety: auditing, inspection and education
• Health and safety at work: auditing, inspection and education
• Private sector housing including standards: houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), licensing, inspecting
• Public health including infectious disease control, smoke free legislation
• Port health: sampling, inspecting and controlling imported foods
• Training eg. delivering food safety/health and safety courses/mentoring

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a variety of stakeholders including:

• the public
• clients
• local and/or national businesses
• elected members
• property owners
• local and national government agencies and departments
• partners, such as the police and fire service.

Typically working remotely or from an office base, EHPs will spend much of their time out in the community with businesses and the public. They work in a range of settings from residential situations to highly dangerous conditions, mainly in commercial and industrial settings. EHPs will work in situations where there is potential for conflict. They will provide expert, professional and technical advice to other council departments, external organisations, members of the public and businesses. They will attend council committees, courts of law, tribunals, public meetings etc. related to the prime objectives of the role.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for working independently with a high level of autonomy and as part of a wider team. EHPs will plan, organise and prioritise their own case load, typically reporting to a line manager. They will work largely unsupervised and will be expected to exercise initiative and professional judgement, often being required to make quick decisions. They will work to ensure that outcomes and objectives are achieved within desired timescales. They may be responsible for the following resources: safety equipment, sampling equipment, measuring equipment, photographic and video equipment and electronic equipment. This includes the management of any chains of evidence collected. They will also be responsible for sensitive and personal information. EHPs may be expected to supervise technical staff and students. EHPs should demonstrate a commitment to their own continuing professional development.