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Environmental Health Officer/Practitioner Apprentice

Ashford Borough Council

Ashford, Kentfrom £25,836 to £26,793 pa (pro rata) plus lease car cash alternative of £2,080 paFull time37Closes: 2026-08-11

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our Environmental Health team as an Environmental Health Officer/Practitioner Apprentice.

This is an exciting opportunity to gain hands on experience across a wide range of Environmental Health functions while studying towards a Level 6 Environmental Health Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship.

Over the course of the programme, you will rotate across key service areas, including:

Food Safety
Health & Safety
Environmental Protection
Private Sector Housing
Licensing
Public Health
Port Health
Business Support

 

You will play a key role in supporting the Council’s statutory and discretionary duties, helping to protect public health and improve environmental standards across the borough.

About the Apprenticeship training

4-year integrated degree apprenticeship (Environmental Health Practitioner BSc (Hons))

Blended learning approach including:
Work-based learning
Academic modules and workshops
Professional supervision and mentoring

Upon successful completion, you will be eligible to progress towards becoming a Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner (CIEH)

As an apprentice, you will be supporting Environmental Health Officers in delivering inspections, investigations and enforcement activity, responding to service requests, complaints and enquiries from residents and businesses, along with:

Collecting and analysing data to support compliance and enforcement decisions
Assisting with inspections of premises to assess risks to public health, including housing, food establishments and workplaces
Contributing to projects, policy development and service improvement initiatives
Undertaking sampling and using specialist equipment under supervision

Passionate about improving public health and environmental standards you will be committed to learning and developing a professional career in Environmental Health, along with being:

Organised, proactive and able to manage competing priorities
A strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

You will also be comfortable working in a variety of environments, including outdoor and potentially challenging inspection settings.

In order to be accepted onto accredited Environmental Health degree apprenticeship it is essential that you have Good educational background including English, Science and Mathematics to a minimum of GCSE Grade 4 or be able to demonstrate a route accepted by the university delivering the apprenticeship.

You will need to have full driving licence and access to a vehicle

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Natalie Pearce, Environmental Health Manager, on 01233 330304

Click to view a full Job Description

When Applying: Please ensure that you have received confirmation of a submitted application once completed. For any assistance in completing the application form, please email recruitment@ashford.gov.uk

Hybrid Working - We are an organisation that puts people first and understands how important employee wellbeing is. We want to help you to balance your working life and home life and offer flexible ways of working to help structure your life in a positive and productive way; both at home and in the office. This maximises personal development and collaborative working.       Competitive remuneration package - We offer an excellent salary linked pension scheme, generous annual leave with flexi time, free life insurance, supportive relocation package and opportunities for training and development.

 

With devolution news and talks evolving across the country for local authorities, we understand that there may be some uncertainty for those currently serving within the sector. Although Kent and Medway have not been included in the Devolution Priority Programme, discussions continue in this area.  Kent, Medway and all District and Borough Councils in the South East will continue to work closely with each other to deliver vital services to our communities.  This is an exciting, but stable time to join our organisation.

Ashford Borough Council recognises the need to ensure the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults when they come into contact with the services we provide

We welcome applications form the Armed Forces Community