What job do you do?

I am the Service Manager for Environmental Health, which in the good old days would have been called a Chief Environmental Health Officer. 

My work now is largely office based, but my team are out there on the front line protecting public health through a range of activities such as food inspections, housing inspections, nuisance investigations and a considerably wide range of other activities.

Why did you go into that area of work?

Things nearly turned out very differently for me. Back at school I was meant to do work experience with a pharmaceutical company, but at the last minute this fell through and I ended up with a placement at my local council. 

During this time I become interested in the work of Environmental Health and the rest, as they say, is history! I studied for my A-Levels and went on to read Environmental Health at the University of Greenwich.

What are the benefits of working for East Herts?

If you are looking for a good work/life balance, the council offers competitive pay, when compared to other local authorities in the area, and offers a range of other, non-financial benefits. 

For me personally, I make use of the discounted gym membership, e-cars for business mileage, the range of wellbeing activities which are put on for employees, health checks and flexible working arrangements. 

I work compressed hours which means over a two week period I squeeze 10 days into 9, giving me a non-working day once a fortnight, which is great for getting involved in my sons school routine which I would otherwise miss out on.