Introduction

A clean environment is a safe environment. Nobody likes dog poo in public places and rodents and ants that invade living or working premises.

Problems of this nature are the responsibility of environmental control and pollution services, and technical assistants help dog wardens and pest control officers solve them. They have general environmental duties, too. It is an opportunity to gain experience in different areas so that they are well placed to take up other positions.

There are posts in all types of authority except for county councils.

Work Environment

This is the office and outdoors. Travelling to kennels and many other sites of pest nuisance such as farms, pet shops and private homes is required. The conditions are often unpleasant and protective clothing is provided, including safety boots. Technical assistants carry equipment such as graspers and dog leads with them.

The hours are 37 per week and sometimes weekend and evening work is required.

Daily Activities

Dogs

Technical assistants shadow wardens on a daily basis and cover for them during periods of absence or lessen their workload by taking on cases for themselves. Their primary duty is to enforce the law regarding environmental protection and promote responsible dog ownership. This will entail responding to complaints (including incessant barking) and educating dog owners about their legal responsibilities and visiting homes, pet shops, boarding kennels and rescue centres.

They may try to help dog owners by running a neutering campaign (to stop them roaming the streets) and giving vouchers to people on low incomes so that they can take their pets to vets. They may even provide council transport to do this. Their duties may also include participation in the quarantine process.

In enforcing The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, technical assistants help patrol identified problem areas such as alleyways, parks, playing fields and around schools. They will also be involved in events publicising the work of the dog warden service that includes a responsibility for the welfare of other animals and the effect they have on the environment – the Donkey Derby, National Pet Week, Poop-a-Scoop Week and so on.

Pest control

There are occasions when more than one pest control officer may be needed to deal with a problem, for example during severe infestations of Brown Tail Moth or rat invasions of private or public property during times of severe flooding. But technical assistants may take on visits by themselves – to noisy kennels or domestic premises where bats or birds have become a big problem and so on.

Environmental control and pollution. Technical assistants are involved with many other environmental issues and gain valuable experience across the board. For example:

• investigations of drainage problems, nitrogen dioxide air quality surveys and accumulations of rubbish and bonfires which cause public nuisance.
• organising campaigns such as Green Family Fun Day and environmental health seminars and courses where they set up displays and distribute leaflets.

Their work brings them into contact with environmental health officers and wardens, animal health inspectors, animal welfare officers, other council staff and members of the public.

On the administrative side, technical assistants are required to draft letters, compile simple reports, complete forms to accompany samples for laboratory analysis and to enter information of action to be taken on the council’s computer system.

Skills & Interests

To do this varied job well you would need to be:

• interested in the environment
• caring about animals, but not at the expense of humans
• practical
• able to get on with people from different backgrounds
• firm but fair in the face of aggression.

Entry Requirements

There are no formal qualifications but you would need to have reasonable written and oral communication skills and have had some experience – perhaps in a voluntary capacity – with environmental protection issues and working with animals.

There is usually the opportunity to study for environmental health qualifications.

Estimated salary range

Variable: from £10,278 to £12,233 due to possible differences in job description as given above.

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 are many opportunities for advancement with further training, qualifications and experience in the environmental health sphere. Dog Warden, Pest Control Officer, Animal Welfare Officer, Animal Health Inspector are all specific posts to aim for. Because of the general nature of the job, there are many other attainable posts within environmental services.

Related Occupations

Follow this link to view a list of all related occuptions in Protecting Your Community.
Alternatively, follow this link to view all career profiles placed in the same job area.

Further Information & Services

CIEH careers information www.ehcareers.org

Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland www.royal-environmental-health.org.uk

What should I do next?

Look for current local government Technical Assistant, Dog Warden/Pest Control vacancies in the following places:

• LGjobs.com - the official recruitment website for local government.
• Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly jobs bulletins produced by local councils themselves, available from libraries, community centres, town halls/main civic buildings and central council personnel departments.
• Local council websites.
• Local newspapers
• National newspapers – The Guardian is particularly well known for its public sector job advertisements on a Wednesday.

Find out about the council and get some work experience if possible by:

• Making the most of work experience placements arranged through your school, college or university.
• Contacting councils close to your home to find out about the work experience opportunities they offer.
• Talking to someone who does the job you are interested in – ring your local council to see if someone can spare some time.
• Making an appointment to see a careers adviser for more specific information about jobs and training.