About this job

Are you a resident of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham who may be finishing school or college and wondering what comes next? You could be using your science education and earning a salary while studying for a professional degree and building a rewarding career. This apprenticeship leads to qualification as an Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP). EHPs play a vital role in protecting public health, improving living and working conditions, supporting local businesses, and helping communities thrive. We are looking for someone with the motivation and determination to make a difference, joining our teams and using a combination of education, advice, investigation and enforcement to tackle issues ranging from nuisance and pollution to housing conditions, food safety and wider public health concerns. Barking and Dagenham is changing, and the work starts here in a rich and rewarding, diverse borough with plenty of challenges to provide you with exceptional opportunities for learning and personal development. This is a unique opportunity to study for a degree while earning a salary and gaining practical skills by working as a member of the Environmental Health team. You will study with Middlesex University in London for the BSc (Honours) in Environmental Health commencing in September 2026, and on days when not attending taught classes, will work ‘hands-on’ in the team supporting all the environmental health functions. These include food safety, health and safety at work, public health, housing and environmental protection. Building on the taught knowledge of the degree, you will develop the practical skills and experience over a structured, four-year programme that combines university study with workplace hands on learning. Learning from and being supported by experienced professionals, on successful completion of the apprenticeship programme you will have the opportunity to gain professional status as an EHP. It will be a condition of any employment offer that you are accepted onto the degree programme by Middlesex University. Support will be provided to liaise with the university for the application. Please note: This apprenticeship is open only to residents of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. Applications from non-residents cannot be considered.

Special requirements for this post

<ul> <li>Travel throughout the borough and beyond will be required to undergo the training and carry out the work of this post.</li> <li>Occasionally, post holders will be required to deal with difficult customers and will may be required to visit premises of concern to help assess and where necessary improve people's health, safety or the environment.</li> <li>This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.</li> </ul>

About you

<ul> <li>You will be motivated, willing to learn, and able to work positively with colleagues, residents, businesses and partner agencies.</li> <li>You will demonstrate an awareness and interest in environmental health and regulatory community‑based work and be comfortable undertaking a mix of office tasks, inspections, and evidence‑gathering activities.</li> <li>Strong communication skills, good organisation, attention to detail and a professional approach committed to getting things done are essential.</li> <li>This apprenticeship is ideal for A‑level leavers, graduates in unrelated subjects, individuals seeking a vocational route into regulatory work, or early‑career applicants looking to build practical experience.</li> </ul>

About us

Barking & Dagenham is changing. It Starts Here. Think you know Barking and Dagenham? Think again. While this small corner of east London might have a reputation for needing development, scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find active communities and a place that consistently punches above its weight. The borough is changing – and changing for the better. And It Starts Here. Yes, the borough has its challenges. But it’s on the cusp of something exciting. With one of the youngest populations in the country, ambitions are high and rightly so. 98% of our schools are rated Good or Outstanding and every year more of our talented teenagers get into Russell Group Universities and hotly sought after apprenticeship schemes. We have award winning parks, centuries old manor houses full of relics and artifacts you can go and see, and the ruins of one of Anglo-Saxon England's most powerful and wealthiest religious sites. We’re even bringing beavers and white storks to the borough to help rewild the local landscape and boost biodiversity. Over the past few years, we’ve been working hard to improve how we deliver services and support our community. From tackling inequality to making sure our services are the best they can be, we’re focused on what matters most to local people.  We’re creating the conditions for people to thrive - so everyone can enjoy a good quality of life, feel proud to call this place home, and be part of something bigger.   #ItStartsHere - with our streets, our schools, our neighbourhoods. And with your application to join our determined team who are passionate about doing what’s best for the future of Barking and Dagenham.  As an Investors in People Gold Award employer, we’re serious about supporting our staff. From flexible working, professional training and career development to wellbeing initiatives, we want our people to feel valued and supported in everything they do. Our values, known as <ul> <li>DRIVE, shape how we work: Deliver our best every day – and do what we promise</li> <li>Respond in a prompt, positive way to our community’s needs</li> <li>Inspire others with our attitudes and actions</li> <li>Value people for who they are and what they can do</li> <li>Engage with others to improve our resilience and flexibility We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.</li> </ul> We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.

Additional Information

To be eligible for this apprenticeship, you must meet national apprenticeship funding rules and London Borough of Barking and Dagenham requirements. You must: <ul> <li>Have the right to work in the UK</li> <li>Be aged 16 or over by the apprenticeship start date</li> <li>Have been ordinarily resident in the UK for the three years immediately before the apprenticeship start date</li> <li>Spend at least 50% of your working hours in England the apprenticeship, including any hybrid or remote working arrangements</li> <li>Be able to complete the full apprenticeship, including end-point assessment, within the agreed timeframe</li> <li>Live in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, as these vacancies are open to borough residents only</li> </ul> Please note that time spent in England on a temporary visa does not usually count towards the three-year residency requirement. EU or EEA nationals must hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. If you hold a visa, your immigration permission must cover the full apprenticeship, or you must be able to evidence an in-time application to extend it. Apprenticeships must provide substantial new learning. You may not be eligible if you already hold a qualification at the same or a higher level in a similar subject area. The training provider will review your qualifications and experience before enrolment. Borough care leavers who meet the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview.

Available documents

JDPS - Environmental Health Apprentice 2026 (KG).docx