Apprentice Environmental Health Officer

Earn, Learn and Make a Difference in Your Community

Are you finishing school or college and wondering what comes next?

Would you like to earn a salary, gain a fully funded degree-level qualification, and build a rewarding professional career while making a real difference to people's lives?

If so, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

At Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, we're looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious individual to join us as an Environmental Health Degree Apprentice . You will work primarily with the Private Sector Housing Team but will spend time with the Environmental Protection and Food & Safety Teams. Over four years, you'll gain hands-on experience, work alongside experienced professionals, and study towards a Level 6 Environmental Health Degree at Middlesex University, all while earning a salary.

What does an Environmental Health Officer does

Environmental Health Officers protect human health by minimising risks and eliminating dangers, in the natural and built environments. They work across five core areas:

• Housing
• Environmental Protection
• Food safety & Integrity
• Health & Safety
• Public Health

No two days are the same. One day you could be visiting properties and assisting with inspections, and the next you could be analysing information, helping prepare reports, or attending training and university sessions.

What you'll be doing

As an apprentice, you'll gain experience across the full range of Environmental Health activities and gradually take on more responsibility as your skills develop.

You'll:

• Support officers investigating housing conditions and complaints
• Assist with inspections and site visits
• Help maintain accurate records and case files
• Support the delivery of housing grants and assistance programmes
• Analyse information and contribute to reports
• Learn about environmental health legislation and regulation
• Attend university, training sessions and professional development activities
• Build the knowledge and skills needed to become a qualified Environmental Health professional

What we are looking for

We're more interested in your potential than your experience.

You might be a great fit if you:

• Have GCSEs including English and Maths
• Have A Levels (or equivalent), ideally including a science-related subject (including Geography)
• Are curious about how the environment affects people's health and wellbeing
• Enjoy solving problems and learning new things
• Have good communication and organisational skills
• Are confident using Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Are reliable, motivated and committed to learning
• Treat people with respect and can work well as part of a team
• Have a driving licence and access to a vehicle

What we offer:

• Holiday Entitlement: 22 days annual leave (increasing to 27 days after 5 years continuous Local Government service) plus three additional days in December and bank holidays.
• Pensions: Membership of the Local Government (CARE – Career Average (Revalued Earnings) Pension Scheme – Employer contribution of 19.7%.
• Free staff parking.
• Hybrid: The Council operates a hybrid working model with minimum 2 days working in the office.
• Access to HAPI an all‑in‑one benefits hub, giving you easy access to a wide range of employee perks, wellbeing support, discounts, and everyday savings.
• Personal Development: Invaluable training opportunities for continuing professional development.
• Employee Assistance Programme: The Council has partnered with Health Assured to provide staff with access to EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) to assist in balancing everyday life with the requirement of work and home.
• To learn more about working at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, explore the kind of place we are, work that matters with people who care, and our pay, benefits, and hybrid working.

Equal Opportunities

Tunbridge Wells – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Safeguarding

The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.