Introduction
A clean environment is a safe environment. Nobody likes dangerous
dogs or dog poo in public places and rodents and ants that invade
living or working premises. Problems of this nature are the
responsibility of environmental control and pollution services, and
technical assistants, dog wardens and pest control officers help
deal with them. They have general environmental duties, too. It is
an opportunity to gain experience in different areas so that they
are well placed to take up other positions.
Work Environment
This is the office and outdoors. Travelling to kennels and many
other sites of pest nuisance such as farms, pet shops and private
homes is required. The conditions are often unpleasant and
protective clothing is provided, including safety boots.
Technical assistants carry equipment such as graspers and dog leads
with them.
Daily Activities
Dogs
Technical assistants shadow wardens on a daily basis and cover for
them during periods of absence or lessen their workload by taking
on cases for themselves. Their primary duty is to enforce the law
regarding environmental protection and promote responsible dog
ownership. This will entail responding to complaints (including
incessant barking) and educating dog owners about their legal
responsibilities and visiting homes, pet shops, boarding kennels
and rescue centres.
They may try to help dog owners by running a neutering campaign
(to stop them roaming the streets) and giving vouchers to people on
low incomes so that they can take their pets to vets. They may even
provide council transport to do this. Their duties may also include
participation in the quarantine process. In enforcing The
Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, technical assistants help patrol
identified problem areas such as alleyways, parks, playing fields
and around schools. They will also be involved in events
publicising the work of the dog warden service that includes a
responsibility for the welfare of other animals and the effect they
have on the environment - the Donkey Derby, National Pet Week,
Poop-a-Scoop Week and so on.
Pest
control
There are occasions when more than one pest control officer may be
needed to deal with a problem, for example during severe
infestations of Brown Tail Moth or rat invasions of private or
public property during times of severe flooding. But technical
assistants may take on visits by themselves - to noisy kennels or
domestic premises where bats or birds have become a big problem and
so on.
Environmental control and pollution. Technical assistants are
involved with many other environmental issues and gain valuable
experience across the board. For example:
- investigations of drainage problems, nitrogen dioxide air
quality surveys and accumulations of rubbish and bonfires which
cause public nuisance;
- organising campaigns such as Green Family Fun Day and
environmental health seminars and courses where they set up
displays and distribute leaflets.
Their work brings them into contact with environmental health
officers and wardens, animal health inspectors, animal welfare
officers, other council staff and members of the public.
On the administrative side, technical assistants are required to
draft letters, compile simple reports, complete forms to accompany
samples for laboratory analysis and to enter information of action
to be taken on the council's computer system.
Skills & Interests
To do this varied job well you would need to be:
- interested in the environment;
- caring about animals, but not at the expense of
humans;
- practical;
- able to get on with people from different
backgrounds;
- firm but fair in the face of aggression.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal qualifications but you would need to have
reasonable written and oral communication skills and have had some
experience - perhaps in a voluntary capacity - with environmental
protection issues and working with animals. There is usually
the opportunity to study for environmental health
qualifications.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
There are many opportunities for advancement with further
training, qualifications and experience in the environmental health
sphere. Dog Warden, Pest Control Officer, Animal Welfare Officer,
Animal Health Inspector are all specific posts to aim for. Because
of the general nature of the job, there are many other attainable
posts within environmental services.
Further Information & Services
British Pest Control Association www.bpca.org.uk
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health www.ehcareers.org/default.aspx
National Dog Warden Association www.ndwa.co.uk
National Pest Technicians Association www.npta.org.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.