Looking to start your career in public protection and environmental health? Want to make a real difference for communities across Ceredigion by helping to protect people’s health, safety and wellbeing? We’re looking for a motivated graduate to join us as a Graduate Trainee – Public Protection on a 12-month, full-time, fixed-term contract.
In this role, you’ll work alongside experienced, professionally qualified colleagues, building practical skills across public protection functions. You’ll support inspections, investigations and projects, learn how we apply legislation and guidance, and develop the knowledge you’ll need to progress into a specialist professional role in Environmental Health. You’ll also be supported to complete an accredited PRINCE2 project management qualification and apply your learning to real service priorities.
Please note that the advertised salary for this position is subject to the pending 2026/2027 national pay award. The final salary will be adjusted accordingly once this has been agreed.
What you’ll be doing:
- Undertake supervised inspections, investigations and surveys in line with service policies, procedures and inspection programmes.
- Support officers to interpret and apply legislation, guidance, codes of practice and industry standards relevant to public protection work.
- Assist with enforcement activity to secure compliance, including gathering and collating evidence in line with relevant legal requirements (including PACE) for court/tribunal proceedings where needed.
- Respond to complaints and enquiries professionally, promptly and in line with established procedures.
- Maintain clear, accurate records and ensure service recording systems are kept up to date.
- Research topics, analyse information and data, and present findings to managers/subject experts.
Who we’re looking for
You’re curious, organised and keen to make a difference. You enjoy learning, working with others and turning information into practical action. To be eligible for this graduate trainee opportunity, you’ll need:
- A 2:1 degree or above, obtained within the last 3 years.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write clear reports and present information.
- Experience of working collaboratively (for example through study, placements, voluntary work or part-time employment) and a practical approach to problem solving.
- The ability to manage your time, prioritise your workload and take initiative.
- A willingness to develop specialist knowledge and skills to progress in Environmental Health.
- The ability to travel and attend locations across Ceredigion using your own travel arrangements when required.
What’s in it for you?
- A 12-month paid placement (aiming to commence mid-September 2026)
- A recognised project management qualification (Prince 2)
- Professional support and mentorship
- 27 days of annual leave, plus 8 public holidays
- Hybrid working – subject to a suitable workspace, broadband connection, and service needs, you may choose to work from home or in one of our offices
- Flexi-time – subject to service needs, you may flex your working hours between 7:30 am and 7:00 pm, with hours in credit taken as additional leave
- The potential for a follow-on contract, subject to outstanding performance and available funding, which may include further support to gain a specialist professional qualification
If you’re ready to launch a career with purpose and see the real-world impact of your work, apply now and start your journey with Team Ceredigion!
Additional information
Detailed information about the opportunity and the employment experience we offer at Team Ceredigion can be found in the following documents:
- Job Description and Person Specification
- Graduate Scheme Information Pack
- Team Ceredigion Information Pack
Virtual Information Session: Join us on Monday, 15th June, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am or Friday, 26 June 2026, 12:00 – 12:45.
Interviews to be held week commencing 13th July 2026.
Note: We reserve the right to extend the application closing date.
What we offer
- Work-life balance
- Lifestyle savings scheme
- Generous employer pension scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Learning and development
Where you’ll work
Policy, Performance and Public Protection
We lead on corporate performance, corporate policy, strategic partnerships, engagement, community cohesion and civil contingencies, and also are responsible for strategic and operational responsibility for public protection: environmental health, food fraud, licencing and trading standards. Our key functions are as follows:
- Complaints, Compliments and FOI
- Corporate Performance and Policy: Corporate performance; Property gazetteer; Research
- Public Protection: Environmental health; Food fraud; Licencing; Trading standards; Pollution Control; Pest Control; Weights and Measures; Communicable Diseases; Health and Safety; Animal Health.
- Strategic Partnerships, Engagement and Research: Business continuity; Civil contingencies; Community safety partnership; Engagement; Equality; Public service board; Refugee programm
Penmorfa
Penmorfa is our most central office, it is where our Chief Executive and Councillors are based.
Aberaeron
Aberaeron is a picture perfect harbour town and is one of Ceredigion’s best loved holiday destinations with fashionable places to stay and eat.
