Environmental public health practitioner

Overview

The Environmental Hazards and Emergencies (EHE) Department provides authoritative scientific advice to government, the NHS and other bodies.

EHE’s mission is to prepare for and prevent future health security hazards, strengthen capability and to respond to chemical and environmental emergencies, and build the UK’s capacity on health security for new and long-term exposure to environmental hazards.

The EHE Department comprises of multidisciplinary teams of scientists working across geographically dispersed locations within England and Wales. The department is responsible for providing specialist advice at local, national and international level on the public health impact of acute and chronic non-infectious environmental exposures. Scientists collaborate with academia on research and evidence reviews to underpin this advice, such as via the National Institute of Health Research Health Protection Research Units (HPRU). Many scientists also sit on cross government and multi-agency expert groups relevant to environmental public health. EHE also provides support to the Department of Health and Social care (DHSC) expert committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP).

Main duties of the job

The post holder, based in the Air Quality and Public Health group, will work with the team to support the objectives of UKHSA’s Cleaner Air programme to develop and share the evidence base on air quality, improve how information on the health impacts of air pollution are communicated; and encourage and support behaviour change at every level.

The post holder will contribute to the development of evidence of expert advice on the mortality and morbidity effects associated with both indoor and outdoor air pollution and the health impacts of interventions aiming to improve air quality.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The bulk of the work will support the delivery of some key tasks, such as:

• Support the development of advice on the health effects and risk assessments of air pollutants and effectiveness of air quality interventions.
• Contribute to research and peer-reviewed publications on indoor and outdoor air quality as required and in collaboration with other UKHSA departments / directorates and external partners.
• Participation in the UKRI funded projects CHILI and INHABIT and in the HPRU Climate Change and Health Security, Theme 3 on Healthy Indoor Environments, assisting in project management and knowledge mobilisation and GIS modelling.
• Contribution to capacity building, communication and training, both internal and external for developing and disseminating the evidence base for reducing the health impacts of air pollution.
• Ensuring all data/ information generated within the air quality work programme is stored in an appropriate manner, ideally in an electronic form consistent with UKHSA’s information management policies

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The post holder may carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the directorate.

Qualifications

• Relevant Bachelors or Master's qualification in a relevant science subject (eg Chemistry, Physics or Environmental Science) or equivalent level of experience in air pollution, environmental science, toxicology, social science or allied subject
• Awareness of the health effects and regulation of air pollutants
• Experience of working in air pollution
• Use of statistical analysis
• Understanding of project management
• Skills for project and database management
• Holding a driving licence