Environmental Health Practitioner

Please Note: This role is recruiting for a potential training year 24/25 intake. As an RAF Environmental Health Practitioner, you ensure the well-being and safety of RAF personnel. You work to minimise environmental risks to personnel on-base, and during operations and exercises.

Responsibilities

• Manage environmental health factors such as food hygiene, water quality, building maintenance and pest control.
• Measure, assess and control toxic substances.
• Identify and assess environmental hazards, for example oil spillages.
• Recognise, assess and evaluate environmental risks.
• Control physical health hazards.

Requirements at a glance

• Have 5 GCSEs minimum grade C/4 in Maths, English Language and the Double Science award or equivalent qualification.
• Have a minimum of 104 UCAS points, including at least 32 points from two A Levels (2 × E grades), excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking.
• Be aged 17 – 47 years old (must attest before 48th birthday).
• Meet specific nationality and residency criteria.

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

• You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status).
• Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application, but candidates with a minimum of 3 years may be considered.
• If you have resided abroad for a period due to work or study, you may still be eligible on a case-by-case basis.

The Nationality and Residency requirements are the foundation of obtaining the necessary security clearance. The nationalities of your spouse or partner, and parents, are also taken into account among other factors. Further pre-employment checks will be conducted and you must achieve the Security Check (SC) clearance.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

• You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to perform the role effectively.
• Every candidate’s fitness levels are tested during the application process.
• The Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) consists of a 2.4 km (1.5 mi) run on a treadmill (set to zero incline).
• Requirements vary by age and gender and are listed on official charts.
• Candidates must also be medically fully fit, both physically and psychologically, to meet the demands of military service, including potential deployment at short notice to remote locations without established medical care.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

• Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions.
• Check eligibility under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
• Achieve the minimum security clearance of Security Check (SC) for this role.

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

• Will not be able to achieve the required security clearance.
• Belongs to a group that incites racial hatred or violence.
• Awaiting court appearance or has unspent convictions.
• Misuses drugs, solvents or anabolic steroids.
• Has obscene or offensive tattoos, brands or bead implants.
• Has body piercings that do not close.
• Is an undischarged bankrupt.

CAREER, TRAINING & EDUCATION

• Phase one training – Basic Recruit Training: 10 weeks at RAF Halton.
• Phase two training – Specialist training: 4 years leading to a BSc Honours in Environmental Health Studies, delivered in partnership with Leeds Beckett University.
• This includes a 10-month classroom foundation course at the Defence Medical Academy, 9 months of practical training at RAF Henlow, additional classroom learning, and final academic study.
• Additional qualification opportunities – NEBOSH General Certificate, BPCA Certificate in Pest Control, driver training if required, Chartered Status with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, and Occupational Hygiene qualification.
• First tour – Specialist training at RAF Henlow, involving food hygiene assessments, occupational health surveys, and response to aircraft incidents.
• Ongoing training – Continuous development in new skills, management and leadership training, and adventurous training opportunities.
• Career progression – Promotion to Air Specialist (Class 1) after one year of service, with further promotion to Corporal and Sergeant, and higher ranks by competitive selection.
• Transferable skills – Qualifications earned are highly valuable in the civilian world, providing employability in environmental health across the UK and abroad.

WHY JOIN THE RAF?

Benefits include subsidised food, travel and accommodation, free gym access, and opportunities for professional development and leadership training.

APPLY NOW

Got what it takes? Start your application here.