Graduate Trainee Public Health Practitioner

Job Introduction

Graduate Trainee Public Health Practitioner

Are you passionate about improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities for the people of Oxfordshire?

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and committed individual to join our innovative Public Health team as a Graduate Trainee Public Health Practitioner. This is a developmental training role, designed to support new entrants into the public health workforce and to build a confident, skilled and diverse future practitioner workforce.

You will lead on defined project work across a range of public health topics, gaining practical experience and a broad understanding across all three domains of public health practice.

About Us

This role sits within a dynamic and forward‑thinking Public Health team, committed to improving health and wellbeing across Oxfordshire. The Council’s strategic priorities – tackling inequalities, prioritising health and wellbeing, addressing climate change and improving access to nature and green spaces – all closely align with the public health agenda.

It is an exciting time to join the team. You will work collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and key stakeholders, contributing to meaningful work that supports healthier communities and better outcomes for local residents.

About the Role

This is a 31‑month (2.5 year) fixed‑term training post funded by the South East School of Public Health, NHS England South East, to support the development of a trained and diverse public health practitioner workforce.

The role is structured to support progression towards Practitioner registration with the UK Public Health Register (UKPHR).

As part of this role, you will receive:

• A protected study day (1 day per week) for the full duration of the contract
• Support to undertake a 31‑month structured development programme, including training, action learning sets, mentoring and regular progress reviews
• Opportunities to undertake projects and/or placements to gain experience across all three domains of public health practice
• Support to complete a UKPHR-aligned practitioner portfolio
• Ongoing management, professional supervision and mentoring within the local authority public health team

This role is suitable for full-time working. Requests for less than full-time working will be considered (minimum 0.8 WTE), inclusive of the protected study day.

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

About you

You will be educated to degree or postgraduate level in public health or a related discipline and be motivated to develop your career in public health practice.

You will be prepared to undertake a structured educational development programme alongside delivering public health programmes and projects and be committed to completing all elements of the training programme, including projects, placements, structured learning and the completion of a professional portfolio towards UKPHR Practitioner registration.

As a large local employer and an anchor institution, we are keen to recruit people from our local communities. You will therefore either live within, work within, or have a strong working knowledge of the local geographic area. We particularly welcome applicants who have experience of, or links with, communities experiencing health inequalities across Oxfordshire.

You will be able to commit fully to the requirements of a developmental trainee role and demonstrate enthusiasm for learning, reflective practice and working collaboratively across organisations and sectors.

 Eligibility

To be eligible for this role, applicants must:

• Be new entrants to the public health workforce
• Hold a degree or postgraduate qualification in public health or a related field
• Be willing to engage fully with the structured development programme
• Be committed to submitting a portfolio to gain UKPHR Practitioner registration

Live within, work within, or have a strong working knowledge of the local geographic area.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Jannette Smith, Public Health Principal at jannette.smith@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

Rewards and benefits

Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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