Trainee Environmental Health Practitioner - Environmental Health

Job Posted: 22 May 2026

• Contract Term: Permanent
• Location: Newport, Isle of Wight
• Contract Type: Full time
• Salary: Career Grade 7-10, £28,598 to £40,787 per annum + Night duty & standby allowance
• Industries: Apprenticeships Environment Public Sector

37 hours per week

This role is office-based; however, it also offers some agile or remote working.

Trainee role including completion of Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship – BSc (Hons) Environmental Health via employment at the Isle of Wight Council

Do you want more than just a job?

Are you ready to earn while you learn and build a meaningful career in Environmental Health?

Isle of Wight Council is proud to offer an exciting opportunity to join our Environmental Health Team as an Apprentice Environmental Health Practitioner, undertaking a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship while gaining valuable hands-on experience across a wide range of Environmental Health disciplines.

This position offers the chance to study for a BSc (Hons) Environmental Health with the University Centre Weston, commencing September 2026, while earning a salary and developing the practical skills required to become a fully qualified Environmental Health Practitioner.

About the Apprenticeship

This 48-month (four-year) apprenticeship combines academic learning with workplace training.  You will attend taught university sessions on a part-time basis, and when not in lectures you will work as part of the Environmental Health Team, with opportunities to gain experience across other service areas that support functions, including:

• Building on your academic learning, you will be supported by experienced professionals to develop the practical competencies, confidence, and professional judgement needed to succeed in this career.
• On successful completion of the degree programme, you will be eligible to gain professional status as an Environmental Health Officer.

What You’ll Be Doing

As an Apprentice Environmental Health Practitioner, your work will be varied, challenging, and impactful. You will:

• Inspect a diverse range of food premises and commercial businesses
• Investigate complaints and service requests from residents and businesses
• Provide advice, support, and guidance to help improve standards and compliance
• Work collaboratively with partner agencies and stakeholders
• Support enforcement activities, including participation in legal proceedings where required
• Travel island-wide (milage expenses provided) to carry out inspections, investigations, and monitoring

Every day is different, and your work will play a vital role in protecting the health, safety, and wellbeing of residents, visitors, and businesses across the Isle of Wight.

Salary Progression

• Starting salary: Grade 7 – up to £30,024 per annum
• Progression to: Grade 10 – up to £40,787 per annum once fully qualified

This apprenticeship is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to invest in a long-term, secure, and valued profession, whether at the start of their career or as a career change.

About You

To thrive in this role, you will be:

• Enthusiastic, committed, and motivated to succeed
• A strong team player with the confidence to work independently
• Analytical, methodical, and attentive to detail
• A clear and professional communicator, both written and verbal
• Comfortable building constructive relationships with businesses and the wider community
• Able to approach problem-solving with a considerate yet assertive mindset
• Resilient and unfazed by new or unexpected challenges

Essential Entry Requirements

• 3 A Levels or equivalent Level 3 qualifications at grade C or above
• At least one A Level must be in a science subject

Why Choose Environmental Health?

Environmental Health is a dynamic and vital profession where your skills will always be in demand. This role offers challenge, variety, and the satisfaction of making a real difference every day — supported by a council that values learning, development, and public service.

Interested?

While training for this role you will be required to undertake the Environmental Health Practitioner (integrated degree) apprenticeship, more details about this qualification can be found at: https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0714-v1-0

Further information can be found at: Environmental Health Practitioner BSc (Hons) (Degree Apprenticeship) - University Centre Weston.

If you’re ready to invest in your future and embark on a fulfilling and sustainable career with Isle of Wight Council, we’d love to hear from you.

For further information or an informal discussion, please contact Rachel Briscoe at [email protected] or Duncan MacDonald at [email protected]

Join #TeamIWC and you'll receive our staff benefits package, including:

• Annual leave entitlement of 32 days p/a PLUS public holidays!
• Local Government pension scheme
• Discounted Solent ferry travel
• Island bus network discount
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff parking permit scheme
• Discounted island sports & leisure gym membership
• National and local discounts & benefits schemes
• Relocation scheme of up to £8,000 may be available for some roles (subject to criteria)
• Travel allowance may be available if commuting from the mainland (subject to criteria)

To discover more about our careers please visit Jobs and careers - Isle of Wight

Find out more about Our culture and environment & living on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight Council currently does not have a license to sponsor overseas workers.

We actively promote the diversity of our workforce, and provide flexible working options (where appropriate) to support the different needs of our employees. We are an equal opportunities employer, proud to encourage applications from all cultures, backgrounds and abilities to better reflect the diversity within our local community.

We are a Disability Confident employer. Along with a number of commitments, this means, providing you meet the basic essential requirements of the advertised role and have declared yourself as disabled, you will be offered an opportunity for an interview within the council.

The Isle of Wight Council protects its employees from discrimination, and this is supported by;

unacceptable behaviour policy

employee code of conduct

The Isle of Wight Council’s Terms & Conditions of employment are available upon request. Please contact our recruitment team via [email protected] if you would like to receive a copy.

The Isle of Wight Council reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than stated, if required. To ensure your application is considered, it is recommended to submit your application promptly.

Please note, appointment to a regulated role will require you to provide additional personal details, including full employment history, referee information, and consent for any required safeguarding checks, as part of the Council’s commitment to safer recruitment and compliance with regulatory requirements.

For support completing your online application or for further information on how to apply, phone 01983 823134 or email [email protected]  Only applications submitted online by the closing date will be accepted.

We often receive a high volume of applicants for our vacancies. If you do not hear from the recruiting manager within three weeks of the closing date, we regret that your application will not have been successful on this occasion. Please revisit our job page for alternate posts that may be suitable.