At a Glance
- Tasks: Support public health initiatives through administration and project management.
- Company: Join Reading Borough Council's dedicated Public Health team.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous holiday, pension scheme, and life assurance.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public health and wellbeing in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience in administration, strong IT skills, and a passion for public health.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
22.2 Hours per week - Part Time - 3 Days per week (Flexible around days worked) – Permanent
We’re looking for a motivated and organised Public Health Support Officer to join our dedicated Public Health team within Adult Social Care. This is a great opportunity to be part of a service that works to improve public health outcomes, reduce inequalities, and support the delivery of our public health priorities across the borough.
About The Role
You’ll play a key role in supporting the effective running of the Public Health service by providing high-quality business administration and project management support. Working collaboratively with team members, colleagues across the Council and with our local system partners, you’ll help ensure that public health programmes, governance, performance, and financial processes run smoothly and efficiently. This varied role involves everything from organising partnership meetings and managing financial claims, to supporting events, maintaining web content, and ensuring compliance with key governance and reporting requirements. You’ll also act as a first point of contact for enquiries, helping to maintain positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and service providers.
About You
- You’ll be an experienced and adaptable administrator who’s confident managing multiple priorities in a busy environment.
- You’ll have excellent organisational, communication, and IT skills, and be comfortable working with data, spreadsheets, and reports.
- You’ll also bring:
- Administrative experience, ideally within local government or a health/public health setting
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to work independently
- Confidence in using Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and digital collaboration tools
- A friendly and professional approach, with the ability to build strong working relationships
- An interest in contributing to improving public health and wellbeing
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our Vision and Values
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that the health of everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
- Work Together as one team – work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
- Drive Efficiency – show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
- Be Ambitious – be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
- Make a Difference to Reading – maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
Our Offer
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays – rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day Nursery – at the Civic Offices) rated outstanding by Ofsted
- Season Ticket Loan – a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey to and from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact Martin White, Consultant in Public Health, martin.white@reading.gov.uk
Closing Date: Wednesday 12th November 2025
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interviews to take place: Via Microsoft Teams
Public Health Support Officer employer: Reading Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Reading Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Public Health Support Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the public health sector, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its public health initiatives. Show your passion for improving public health outcomes and be ready to discuss how your skills can contribute to their goals. We want to see that you’re genuinely interested!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Public Health Support Officer, you'll need to build strong relationships. Role-play common interview questions with a friend or family member to boost your confidence and refine your responses.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s make it happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Public Health Support Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Public Health Support Officer role. Highlight your relevant experience in administration and project management, and show how your skills align with our values at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to mention your IT skills, especially with Microsoft Office and SharePoint. We love seeing candidates who are comfortable with data and can manage multiple priorities, so give us examples of how you've done this in the past!
Be Personable: Since you'll be building relationships with stakeholders, let your friendly and professional side shine through in your application. A positive attitude goes a long way, so share any experiences where you’ve successfully collaborated with others.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us that you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Reading Borough Council
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Public Health Support Officer. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks mentioned in the job description, like project management and stakeholder engagement. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show how your skills align with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Given that this role requires excellent organisational abilities, prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed multiple priorities. Be ready to discuss how you keep track of tasks and ensure everything runs smoothly, especially in a busy environment.
✨Emphasise Your Communication Skills
As you'll be interacting with various stakeholders, it's crucial to highlight your communication skills. Think of specific instances where you've built strong relationships or resolved conflicts. This will illustrate your ability to maintain positive interactions, which is key for this role.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Public Health
Make sure to express your genuine interest in improving public health outcomes. Share any relevant experiences or projects you've been involved in that relate to public health. This will show that you're not just looking for a job, but that you're committed to making a difference in the community.