Student Environmental Health Officer (Apprenticeship)

Student Environmental Health Officer (Apprenticeship)

About us

Newham is a vibrant inner-city borough with excellent transport links to the rest of London and South-East England, including Kent, Essex, Surrey and Middlesex. With an ethnically diverse population there are up to 220 languages being spoken in the area. Proud to be home to one of the youngest and most diverse cultures across the country, Newham is an exciting and challenging borough that is committed to putting people at the heart of everything we do.

The Borough boasts iconic landmarks such as, Green Street, the Olympic Park, Excel centre, Westfield Shopping Centre and the University of East London. Newham is changing rapidly, benefiting from significant investment, creating new jobs, homes and opportunities for all.

The London Borough of Newham has the largest privately rented sector in England with over half of Newham households (60,000) depending on private landlords for their health, safety and welfare. In response to these circumstances, Newham became the first authority to adopt an authority wide landlord licensing in 2013, with nearly 40,000 homes aligned to one of the licensing schemes. The growing level of work tackled by our Private Sector Housing Team, means there are new opportunities opening for those who are passionate and committed to making a change to join the journey and help us achieve our goals.

About the Job

Student Environmental Health Officer (Apprenticeship)

Scale 5 - £ £31,524-£32,931 pa

Full time fixed term contract for 4 years

Our Private Sector Housing Team are looking for a talented individual to study towards a degree in Environmental Health via a tailored apprenticeship programme. Working in collaboration with Middlesex University London, the postholder will gain a BSc Honours in Environmental Health by completing the 4-year programme. Following completion of the course, the successful applicant will have the opportunity to pursue a wide range of career paths, including environmental health in local government and go on to gain a chartered status as an Environmental Health Practitioner.

Combining both classroom and practical learning, the postholder will benefit from ‘hands-on’ experience supporting the Private Sector Housing Standards Service, and working across other Environmental Health service areas such as Food Safety and Noise & Pollution to further develop their knowledge and acquire necessary practical skills as an Environmental Health Practitioner.

Providing a first-class service to property owners, occupiers and tenants, the role equips officers to deliver a range of intervention strategies such as enforcement, education and advice, aimed at improving the quality, safety and choice of residential accommodation across Newham. The Environmental Health Officer apprentice must actively use the information learned in their degree and experience gained from working in the field to be instrumental in improving Newham population’s health outcomes and reducing the burden of disease.

About You

You must be someone who is ambitious, innovative and presents a strong level of interpersonal skills, whilst sharing the same values as we do. With such a diverse pattern of work across the various environmental health disciplines, you will be confident in explaining legislation and procedures to people from all backgrounds, with an attention to detail and ability to analyse and solve problems with sustainable solutions.

This apprenticeship opportunity requires you to be committed to the full 4 year term of learning, demonstrating an ambition to develop your career in environmental health by excelling in your duties within Newham’s Private Sector Housing Team.

To qualify for the apprenticeship you will need:

5 GCSEs (Grade C or above or equivalent) including: English Language and Mathematics and Science.

PLUS one of the following: At least one A level in a science or technology subject drawn from Chemistry, Biology, Human Biology, Physics, Geography, Geology, Environmental Science, Nutrition, Food Science or similar. A BTEC National Diploma or Certificate in an appropriate area (e.g. Applied Science) normally with a minimum of 3 merits OR Applicants who have successfully completed a relevant Diploma in Access to Higher Education (Science) with a minimum of a merit OR Applicants who have successfully completed an appropriate (e.g. Applied Science) Advanced GNVQ with at least 3 level III passes at merit standard.

How to Apply

With a broad understanding of the private sector housing and environmental health disciplines within local government, your application will also benefit from displaying knowledge in the following.

• Carrying out inspections and investigations
• Following a procedure when dealing with complaints
• Ability to demonstrate patience and calmness in stressful situations

Strong and clear written and verbal communication skills

For an informal conversation about this position feel free to contact Wayne Pobi (Operations Manager) on 0203 373 1194.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 17th August 2025, however interest in this job may be high and we therefore reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

You will be notified if your application has been successful. Interviews will commence from the 20th of August 2025 onwards.

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Additional Information

We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.

The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.

We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.