Public Health Practitioner

We’re looking for a proactive and passionate Public Health Practitioner to join our friendly and professional Public Health team within Adult Social Care. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape and deliver public health action that make a real difference to people’s lives.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

We support hybrid working, it’s important to us that working arrangements are designed to enable our employees to excel and within this role you’ll have the opportunity to work in a way that suits your lifestyle.

About The Role:
As a Public Health Practitioner, you will lead and support a wide range of public health programmes, projects and partnerships. This role is focused on Children and the early lifecourse but your work will span all domains of public health practice health improvement, health protection, healthcare public health and public health intelligence, and policy implementation.

You will use data and evidence to assess population needs, evaluate services, and inform strategic decisions that improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities.

You’ll work collaboratively with our diverse local communities, NHS partners, voluntary sector organisations, and other council departments to deliver system-wide preventative action.

You will also contribute to research, service development, and the commissioning of public health programmes, while supporting the wider public health workforce and engaging with residents to co-produce solutions that meet local needs.

About You:
You’ll have a strong understanding of public health principles and a passion for tackling health inequalities. You’ll be an excellent communicator, skilled at working across organisations and engaging a diverse range of stakeholders.

You’ll bring:

• A relevant qualification in public health or related discipline (or equivalent experience)
• Experience of planning and delivering public health or health improvement programmes
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• The ability to interpret and present complex data clearly
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Confidence working independently and collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team

We’re looking for someone who is proactive, adaptable, and motivated by the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of Reading’s residents.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our Offer:
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day Nursery – at the Civic Offices) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact Zoe Campbell – Public Health Principal (Children) - zoe.campbell@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Wednesday 13th November 2025
Interview Date: Provisional interview date Thursday 18th and Friday 19th December 2025
Interviews Setup: Interviews to be held at the Civic Offices in Reading.