Graduate Trainee Public Health Practitioner

Overview

Buckinghamshire Council is recruiting a Graduate Trainee Public Health Practitioner to join our Public Health Team on a 2.5 year fixed-term programme starting September 2026.

This is a development focused role offering protected study time, structured learning and the opportunity to contribute to evidence-based projects that improve health and reduce inequalities across Buckinghamshire, while working towards professional practitioner registration with the UK Public Health Register (UKPHR).

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is an innovative and high performing organisation, and public health is embedded in the Council’s core business. Public health is defined as “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organised efforts of society”. The Public Health workforce delivers a range of work to protect and improve the health of communities and populations at local, regional, national, and global levels.

Buckinghamshire is generally more affluent and as a result has better health outcomes than the national average, but there are however significant differences in health outcomes across the County. Rather than focusing on the health of the individual, the Public Health workforce delivers a range of work to protect and improve the health and wellbeing of local communities, with a particular focus on reducing inequalities.

We are a friendly, diverse and welcoming team with a wide range of expertise available, and a supportive & flexible work ethic. There are regular team meetings and opportunities for collaboration, as well as frequent CPD sessions and an informal mentoring scheme.

About the role

We’re looking for a Graduate Public Health Practitioner to support the efficient development, delivery and monitoring of public health programmes and projects across Buckinghamshire. The role is for a 2.5 years’ fixed term contract funded by Health Education England South East, to grow a trained and diverse public health practitioner workforce.

We would particularly welcome applications from people from ethnic minority groups to grow a diverse and representative workforce.

You will gain hands-on experience of public health delivery and work towards Practitioner registration with the UK Public Health Register (ukphr.org).

This role will include:

• 1 day a week of protected study time for the duration of the contract to support your learning and development.
• Support to undertake a structured development programme as part of this role. This will help to build on your existing knowledge through further training as well as educate you to broaden your knowledge, understanding and application across all areas of public health.
• Opportunity to undertake placements and/or projects to gain a broad understanding across the three areas of public health.

Any-Desk:
As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

About you

You will need to demonstrate effective partnership working skills, and the ability to manage and prioritise different workstreams. You’ll need to be able to work flexibly across a range of activities, be able to work autonomously, and be confident to manage your own workload alongside developing your knowledge and preparing for the UKPHR registration process.

As a local, large employer we are keen to recruit people from our local communities, therefore you will be someone who either has a working knowledge of the Buckinghamshire area or lives within Buckinghamshire.

This opportunity is for new entrants to the public health workforce / not currently employed in a public health team.

The ideal candidate must:

• Either live or work within the Buckinghamshire area at the time of application.
• Be educated to degree or post graduate level in a public health or related discipline.
• Be prepared to undertake a structured educational development programme alongside delivery of public health programmes and projects.
• Be committed to complete all elements of the training programme, including undertaking projects, placements, full attendance at structured educational programme and completion of a portfolio towards professional practitioner registration with UKPHR.

For further information about the role, please see the attached job summary.

Other information

For more information and to discuss this unique opportunity please contact Emma Ross, Public Health Principal by email at [email protected] or phone on 01296 387475.

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 14^th June

Interview date: Tuesday 30^th June (in person at Walton Street Offices)

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining us, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

We know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/