Unit clerks provide clerical assistance to the officers whose job it is to ensure the health and safety of the work based community: in shops, factories, restaurants, warehouses, public houses, sports clubs and stadia. By highlighting potentially dangerous conditions and acting before accidents happen, environmental health officers and staff help to improve welfare conditions in the workplace. But equally importantly, clerks are an important part of a team that sets out to be a solution to a problem and not the problem itself - a team that inspires, listens and guides people towards improving their environment.

The post exists in all types of authority except county councils.

Work Environment

Working from an office involves long periods of sitting at a VDU in what may be badly ventilated workstations, draughty and humid conditions with the usual level of open plan office noise. Lifting and carrying of files, stretching and bending are inevitable. However, because this is an environmental health department, clerks can expect a sympathetic ear for any problems they might have.

Dress is smart and the hours worked are just over 36 per week with no shift work or anti social hours involved.

Daily Activities

The main tasks and responsibilities are to provide a reception service, by telephone and personal contact, for enquiries and complaints in the form of calls, correspondence and reports. The clerk must maintain and update unit service information: the production of statistics, filing - including a finance file – as well as order supplies and operating equipment. A good deal of time is spent typing. The computer, printer, photocopier, laminator and telephone figure prominently in the life of the unit clerk who must work mainly to other people’s deadlines. There is daily liaison with members of the public and officers at all levels in the department.

From time to time unit clerks can be involved in specific projects like ‘European Week of Safety and Health’ and special seminars and courses.

Skills & Interests

To be good at your job you would need to have:

• practical ability
• typing skills
• a head for figures and detail
• confidence
• a caring nature
• ability to get on with people from different backgrounds
• good organisational skills.

It would be useful, too, to have a sense of humour, and be reasonably fit! As councils are constantly bringing in new ideas, initiatives and action plans, an ability to adapt to change and rise to a challenge is important.

Entry Requirements

Good typing speed and keyboard skills.
Ability to use different computer packages like word and excel.

On the job training is provided.
Previous experience of customer service is useful, and sometimes essential.

Estimated salary range

The starting point is £12,700.

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

Promotion prospects are reasonable and the next natural step up the ladder is to a senior administrative post. You would be required to have improved your technical competence and accept more responsibility to achieve this. There are opportunities outside local authorities – with the Health and Safety Executive for example – and for sideways moves internally into related areas of environmental services and some other directorates.

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