Job summary
To complement our existing team, Public Health Wales is seeking to appoint a highly motivated, enthusiastic Public Health Specialist to the post of Principal Environmental Public Health Specialist within our Health Protection Division.
The Environmental Public Health Service is delivered jointly between Public Health Wales and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Radiation, Chemicals and the Environment (RCE) directorate office in Cardiff. It is a unique arrangement.
As a whole, the Service aims to protect and improve health in relation to environmental harms and benefits, as well as prevent harms from environmental hazards. It delivers reactive services in line with requirements of the Civil Contingencies Act, responding to a wide range of environmental events whilst working with multi-agency partners to protect the people of Wales. As part of the team, you will provide specialist advice and input on the management of environmental public health issues, leading on the response to incidents as required.
The Service also works proactively to address the environmental determinants of health, including air quality, sustainable transport, contaminated land and water. You will provide evidence based advice and guidance to support policy and practice decision making at national and local levels
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide specialist advice and support on a broad range of environmental public health matters. The post holder will be required to lead, innovate and inform high-level policy that impacts on environmental and public health. The post holder will work to provide expert environmental public health advice to a broad range of stakeholders. The role provides strategic leadership in the development of environmental health-related policy in Wales and informs the impact assessment of, and response to existing, new and emerging threats.
The post holder will work across Public Health Wales and with other agencies to drive the development and implementation of environmental health-related policy and action that aims to protect and improve the health of the population of Wales.
About us
Public Health Wales is the National Public Health Institute in Wales. Our vision is 'Working to achieve a healthier future for Wales' where we play a pivotal role in driving improvements in population health and well-being, reducing health inequalities, improving healthcare outcomes, protecting the public and supporting the development of health in all policies across Wales.Our organisation is guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and from those wishing to work part time or on a job share basis.To find out more about working for us, the benefits we offer and guidance on the application process, please visithttps://phw.nhs.wales/working-for-us/applicant-information-and-guidance/
Job description
Job responsibilities
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.
Please note we reserve the right to close the application process before the closing date if we receive a large number of candidates. If you are interested in this post, and wish to be considered, we advise that you submit your application as soon as possible
Job description
Job responsibilities
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.
Please note we reserve the right to close the application process before the closing date if we receive a large number of candidates. If you are interested in this post, and wish to be considered, we advise that you submit your application as soon as possible
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- The post-holder will hold an Honours Degree in Environmental Health or the predecessor equivalent or hold full registration with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
Desirable
- The possession of relevant additional professional qualifications and training in the specific environmental health subject areas referred to
- Hold full registration with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
Experience
Essential
- The postholder will have significant demonstrable post-qualification work experience of working at a strategic level within Government and/or NHS structures
- Have comprehensive, recent professional experience as an environmental health practitioner at a strategic level.
- Experience in taking a strategic lead role for specific areas of work, including: environmental hazards - particularly radiation and noise matters . Public health and the physical and built environment ,including housing and housing-related problems, planning and development control, sustainable communities. Public health impacts of climate change, including extreme events. Environmental public health surveillance in respect of the above. Environmental public health policy and legislation in respect of the above.
- Experience of providing persuasive advice
- Experience of multi-disciplinary and multi-agency partnership working
- Experience of Project Management
Desirable
- Good understanding of the roles and structures of the different agencies that comprise the environmental public health system in Wales
Skills
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Computer literacy.
- Effective interpersonal and influencing skills.
- Meeting management skills e.g. chairing meetings, preparing agendas, taking formal minutes
- Proven project management skills
- Able to deliver training and education
- Excellent numerical, analytical, critical reasoning and problem solving skills
- Substantially numerate
- Proven Critical Appraisal skills and experience
- High standard of report writing
- Proven presentation skills
- Strategic thinker and planner
- Ability to negotiate with others
- Financial management
- Ability to plan
- Time management
- Able to manage occasional incidents, which are difficult, distressing and emotional
Desirable
- Ability to effectively delegate and manage
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of environmental health principles and their application to surveillance and control
- An excellent understanding of cross agency working in Wales, particularly regarding policy and practice
- Knowledge of environmental public health legislation and policy, particularly in the environmental health subject areas referred to earlier
- Understanding of the relationship between specific services and the broader public health agenda
- Understanding of health and social and political environments
- Knowledge of best practice and guidelines
Desirable
- Specialist knowledge in specific environmental health subject areas referred to
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Self-motivated, pro-active, resourceful and innovative
- Ability to work with autonomy
- Be able to communicate effectively at all levels
- Ability to prioritise, plan and manage workload
- Flexible, adaptable and able to work to tight deadlines
- Ability to maintain leadership level of responsibility
- Strong commitment to public health principles
- Adaptable to situations, can handle people of all capabilities and attitudes
- Diplomacy and political sensitivity
- Commitment to team-working and respect and consideration of the skills of others
Interests
Essential
- Professional interest in keeping up to date with the relevant scientific literature
Other
Essential
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- The post-holder will hold an Honours Degree in Environmental Health or the predecessor equivalent or hold full registration with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
Desirable
- The possession of relevant additional professional qualifications and training in the specific environmental health subject areas referred to
- Hold full registration with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
Experience
Essential
- The postholder will have significant demonstrable post-qualification work experience of working at a strategic level within Government and/or NHS structures
- Have comprehensive, recent professional experience as an environmental health practitioner at a strategic level.
- Experience in taking a strategic lead role for specific areas of work, including: environmental hazards - particularly radiation and noise matters . Public health and the physical and built environment ,including housing and housing-related problems, planning and development control, sustainable communities. Public health impacts of climate change, including extreme events. Environmental public health surveillance in respect of the above. Environmental public health policy and legislation in respect of the above.
- Experience of providing persuasive advice
- Experience of multi-disciplinary and multi-agency partnership working
- Experience of Project Management
Desirable
- Good understanding of the roles and structures of the different agencies that comprise the environmental public health system in Wales
Skills
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Computer literacy.
- Effective interpersonal and influencing skills.
- Meeting management skills e.g. chairing meetings, preparing agendas, taking formal minutes
- Proven project management skills
- Able to deliver training and education
- Excellent numerical, analytical, critical reasoning and problem solving skills
- Substantially numerate
- Proven Critical Appraisal skills and experience
- High standard of report writing
- Proven presentation skills
- Strategic thinker and planner
- Ability to negotiate with others
- Financial management
- Ability to plan
- Time management
- Able to manage occasional incidents, which are difficult, distressing and emotional
Desirable
- Ability to effectively delegate and manage
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of environmental health principles and their application to surveillance and control
- An excellent understanding of cross agency working in Wales, particularly regarding policy and practice
- Knowledge of environmental public health legislation and policy, particularly in the environmental health subject areas referred to earlier
- Understanding of the relationship between specific services and the broader public health agenda
- Understanding of health and social and political environments
- Knowledge of best practice and guidelines
Desirable
- Specialist knowledge in specific environmental health subject areas referred to
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Self-motivated, pro-active, resourceful and innovative
- Ability to work with autonomy
- Be able to communicate effectively at all levels
- Ability to prioritise, plan and manage workload
- Flexible, adaptable and able to work to tight deadlines
- Ability to maintain leadership level of responsibility
- Strong commitment to public health principles
- Adaptable to situations, can handle people of all capabilities and attitudes
- Diplomacy and political sensitivity
- Commitment to team-working and respect and consideration of the skills of others
Interests
Essential
- Professional interest in keeping up to date with the relevant scientific literature
Other
Essential
Desirable
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
