You do not have to be addicted to sewage to work in the pollution control unit of environmental services. But, like other technical officers in the unit, you might spend a lot of your time dealing with complaints about a variety of nuisances that plague the local community. Many of these would involve some assault on all the senses – noise, smells, dust, barking dogs or new planning schemes.

But pollution control is part of the solution not the problem. The technical officers role is positive. They inspire and guide people to improve the environment on everybody’s behalf.

Technical officers in the environmental health department ensure that where people live and work is hygienic and safe. They work in all types of local authority except county councils and they can get a great deal of satisfaction out of solving people’s problems.

Work Environment

The work involves local travel to a range of indoor and outdoor settings including shops, cafes, restaurants, warehouses, public houses, factories, homes and various other sites and premises. Technical officers could be out in all kinds of weather and be exposed to noisy and dirty working or living areas. But smart protective clothing is provided. They must be prepared to do a lot of walking at times and carry equipment.

The hours worked are sometimes at anti social times and amount to just over 36 per week. There is no shift work.

Daily Activities

Armed with their monitoring equipment for noise and vibration or methane gas, technical officers go into the community and judge whether the complaints they receive constitute a statutory nuisance. They talk to the people who have a grievance and take measurements – of the level of noise and location of barking dogs, either privately owned or from a boarding kennel, or the polluting effects of badly functioning sewage works, for example. They then write up reports and case histories and consider whether to serve noise abatement or other legal notice. But first they will try to get the people responsible for the problem to agree to take action before that is necessary. Three of the main areas of special concern are: noise awareness, air quality and contaminated land.

In investigating complaints, technical officers have to use their initiative and work both within a team and alone. They have to liaise with colleagues with different specialisms and with other departments, with company managers, local councillors and the general public. But it not all negative. Very often environmental health staff are welcomed by people in all sorts of settings for the support and protection they can offer.

Skills & Interests

It is very important to have:

• practical ability
• attention to detail
• a caring nature
• confidence
• ability to get on with people from different backgrounds
• written and spoken communication skills
• tact
• firmness and impartiality
• scientific and technical understanding.

And useful to be:

• interested in the countryside
• a competent project manager
• handy with figures
• methodical in gathering facts and information.

As dealing with people who may aggressive and unreasonable is often a major part of the job, the officer should be patient, calm and tactful. Issues can often be resolved informally through sympathetic listening to all points of view and so avoiding having to serve legal notices. Having previous scientific or technical experience is helpful.

Entry Requirements

The usual requirements are a degree in environmental science or other sciences.

On the job training is expected towards vocational qualifications (S/NVQs) and continuous professional development (CPD) through courses or as a member of a professional association.

Estimated salary range

£15,000 - £22,000

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

There is a wide range of opportunity and the promotion path can lead to senior, principal and chief officer posts in environmental health. But this may require movement to other authorities to broaden experience.

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