Environmental Public Health Practitioner

UKHSA Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards (RCE) is part of the UKHSA Science Group. RCE provides advice, research and services to protect the public from hazards resulting from exposure to chemicals and poisons, ionising and non-ionising radiation, and other environmental hazards.

RCE’s Environmental Hazards and Emergencies (EHE) Department provides authoritative scientific advice to government, the NHS and other bodies about the public health effects of acute and chronic chemicals exposures and the impact of other environmental hazards.

**The EHE Department comprises**:
Three geographically dispersed teams (North, Midlands, South) operating from nine locations providing specialist advice at local and national level on the public health impact of acute and chronic non-infectious environmental exposures; and

Two specialist groups (Air Quality & Public Health, Noise & Health). Key activities include the provision of highly specialist advice on the health impacts of noise and air pollution nationally and internationally; research in these areas, including, but not exclusively, through the National Institute of Health Research Health Protection Research Units. For the Air Quality & Public Health Group, provision of support to the Department of Health and Social care (DHSC) expert committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP).

The post holder, based within the dispersed chemical and environmental hazards teams, will contribute to the response respond to chemical & environmental hazard incidents and enquiries which threaten people's health, through the provision of public health risk assessments. Such threats might involve chemical fires, chemical contamination of the environment, or the deliberate release of chemicals and poisons. The postholder will contribute to the development of evidence and provision of expert environmental public health advice to government, multi-agency stakeholders and members of the public.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

**Main duties and responsibilities**:In collaboration with others**:
Liaise and collaborate with other UKHSA Groups and Directorates; relevant regulators and others to promote an effective environmental public health response service by providing advice on the protection of the public following acute and chronic chemical incidents.

Provide information to the public and stakeholders on environmental public health issues as appropriate.

Plan and carry out, with support, complex scientific studies of high quality to formulate robust evidence-based advice for environmental public health.

Contribute to externally funded contract work and core research activities including critical analysis of data; collation of results; and development of recommendations or advice.

Undertake or review risk assessments for the protection of members of the public from environmental media such as contaminated land risk assessments.

Undertake statistical analysis of data and contribute to the environmental surveillance function of the UKHSA including surveillance of environmental insult and related diseases

Keep under review and raise awareness of the risks to population health of chemical, radiological and other environmental threats.

For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Essential critera

Relevant science Degree or equivalent qualifications or equivalent experience

Experience of scientific project work.

Analysis of scientific and technical data

Experience of scientific research and development

Microsoft office packages, especially word, excel and access databases

Ability to communicate technical and sensitive information effectively both orally and in writing at all levels from members of the public through to professionals, internally and externally to other organisations.

Ability to observe and question when gathering information, disregarding irrelevant and identifying key issues

Technical competence in data analysis

Ability to assess complex situations and interpret detailed documents that may include guidance and legislation

Excellent organisational skills and ability to work unsupervised

Ability to work well under pressure and to deadlines, and able to prioritise workload

Ability to ‘think on feet’

Good interpersonal skills. Able to work as part of a team or alone.

Ability to identify scientific issues and undertake comprehensive literature reviews

An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Please see the full job description for the full list of essential and desi