Public Health Specialist

Integrated Care System; Trowbridge; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health service in Trowbridge seeks a Health Protection Public Health Specialist to improve and protect community health. Responsibilities include managing public health needs, strategic delivery, and working collaboratively across multiple agendas. Candidates should have a relevant degree, project management experience, and a focus on health inequalities. This role offers an opportunity to shape health services in the region.

Qualifications

• Experience in leading strategic delivery and project management.
• Proven record in working within multi-agency health forums.
• Registration or progress towards registration with UKPHR.

Responsibilities

• Determine public health needs and manage services accordingly.
• Act as contract manager and evaluate outcomes.
• Provide specialist advice for health improvement strategies.
• Offer public health guidance to colleagues and volunteers.

Skills

Public Health expertise

Project management

Data analysis

Communication skills

Collaboration

Education

First degree or equivalent qualifications

Master's degree in public health

Job description

Hours per week: 37 hours

Interview date: Friday 12 September 2025

Main duties of the job

Public Health Protecting and Improving Health

Be part of shaping an approach that tackles the complexities of public health challenges head-on!

We have an exciting opportunity to improve the health and wellbeing and protect the health of the Wiltshire population and help us put public health at the heart of all public services.

Working as a Health Protection Public Health Specialist, you will build capacity across multiple agendas, including health protection and sexual health, blood borne viruses, HIV prevention, population screening programmes, health emergency planning, environmental hazards to health, and communicable disease epidemiology.

As a specialist, you will be responsible for driving key agendas, with an emphasis on prevention and tackling health inequalities. You will work with minimal supervision, be self-motivated, and identify innovative practices. Furthermore, you will develop strong relationships, working in partnership with both internal and external partners and the local population to improve health outcomes.

We are looking for an experienced Public Health professional who holds a first degree or equivalent qualifications, with a proven record in leading strategic delivery, project management, and working in multi-agency health forums. It would be advantageous to be registered or working towards registration at practitioner level with UKPHR and/or hold a master's degree in public health.

About us

Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. We focus on getting the things that matter to our people right. The council is committed to creating an environment of positive working relationships where everyone feels engaged, supported, and able to thrive. Our Identity is a framework that sets out how we all are expected to lead, work, and act to deliver our services. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying, or harassment of any kind. Everyone is expected to promote a culture of inclusion, dignity, trust, and respect, underpinned by our vision and Our Identity framework.

Job responsibilities

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

• Determine the needs of the population, assess options for managing public health needs, and commission services, interventions, and programmes accordingly.
• Act as contract manager and liaison for services, evaluating outcomes, performance managing, and managing project delivery within allocated resources.
• Provide specialist advice for strategic development and implementation of health improvement and wider determinants strategies, aligned with national and local indicators linked to the Public Health Outcomes Framework.
• Offer public health advice, guidance, and support to colleagues and volunteers to meet team objectives.
• Identify public health needs using methodologies like health needs assessments, health equity audits, reviews, and evaluations.
• Analyze and interpret data to develop and evaluate public health interventions, programmes, and projects.
• Promote health improvement, protection, and inequalities reduction across the council, ICB, and partners, engaging all staff and stakeholders.
• Represent the public health team at partnership events, boards, and multi-agency groups; chair or facilitate meetings as needed.
• Support existing partnerships and develop new ones to address specific needs, providing expert advice.
• Enhance public health capacity through presentations, research, training, and dissemination of information.
• Contribute to reports and strategic documents, including annual public health reports and government submissions.
• Stay updated on public health evidence and best practices through literature, conferences, and professional networks.
• Adhere to professional codes of conduct (UKPHR, FPH, RSPH, etc.).
• Supervise junior staff, trainees, and students, supporting their development and monitoring work quality.
• Work within a matrix management approach, prioritizing as directed by the service.
• Deputize for team leaders as needed and support public health responses to emergencies.
• Participate in research, evaluation, risk assessment, and provide guidance to senior management.
• Develop training and engagement activities for stakeholders.