Introduction
Unit clerks provide clerical assistance to the officers whose job
it is to ensure the health and safety of the work based community
in shops, factories, restaurants, warehouses, public houses, sports
clubs and stadia. By highlighting potentially dangerous
conditions and acting before accidents happen, environmental health
officers and staff help to improve welfare conditions in the
workplace. Clerks are an important part of a team that sets
out to be a solution to a problem and not the problem itself - a
team that inspires, listens and guides people towards improving
their environment.
Work Environment
Working from an office involves long periods of sitting at a VDU
in what may be badly ventilated workstations, draughty and humid
conditions with the usual level of open plan office noise.
Lifting and carrying of files, stretching and bending are
inevitable. However, because this is an environmental health
department, clerks can expect a sympathetic ear for any problems
they might have. Dress is smart and the hours worked are just
over 36 per week with no shift work or antisocial hours
involved.
Daily Activities
The main tasks and responsibilities are to provide a reception
service, by telephone and personal contact, for enquiries and
complaints in the form of calls, correspondence and reports.
The clerk must maintain and update unit service information,
produce statistics, filing - including a finance file - as well as
ordering supplies and operating equipment. A good deal of
time is spent typing. The computer, printer, photocopier,
laminator and telephone figure prominently in the life of the unit
clerk who must work mainly to other people's deadlines. There
is daily liaison with members of the public and officers at all
levels in the department. From time to time unit clerks can
be involved in specific projects like the Healthy Workplaces
Campaigns and special seminars and courses.
Skills & Interests
To be good at this job a clerk would need to have:
- practical ability;
- typing skills;
- a head for figures and detail;
- confidence;
- a caring nature;
- ability to get on with people from different backgrounds;
- good organisational skills.
It would be useful, too, to have a sense of humour, and be
reasonably fit. As councils are constantly bringing in new
ideas, initiatives and action plans, an ability to adapt to change
and rise to a challenge is important.
Entry Requirements
Good typing speed and keyboard skills are required as well as the
ability to use different computer packages such as Microsoft
Windows. On-the-job training is provided. Previous
experience of customer service is useful, and sometimes
essential.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
Promotion prospects are reasonable and the next natural step up
the ladder is to a senior administrative post. A clerk would
be required to have improved their technical competence and accept
more responsibility to achieve this. There are opportunities
outside local authorities - with the Health and Safety Executive
for example - and for sideways moves internally into related areas
of environmental services and some other directorates.
Further Information & Services
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work https://osha.europa.eu/en/campaigns/index_html
Institute of Occupational Safety and Health www.iosh.co.uk
National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health www.nebosh.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.