As part of World Environmental Health Day (26th September), South Kesteven District Council is raising awareness of its work to improve and protect public health across the District.
Environmental Health services provided by the Council sit within the Public Protection Service, the work they undertake includes: working to protect and improve the environment, regulating safe practice in local businesses, ensuring the safety of residents in private sector housing and helping to maintain the health of the local population.
Cllr Rhea Rayside, Cabinet Member for People and Communities, said: "The Council has a statutory duty to protect the public health and wellbeing of local residents and visitors.
"Our Environmental Health teams play a crucial role in ensuring the air we breathe is clean, the restaurants we choose to dine in are hygienic and the environment around us is a safe place in which to live, work and visit.
"World Environmental Health Day is a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on the work of various teams across the Council, delivering a breath of services to help keep the public safe. I'd like to thank them for the vital role they play and their dedication to maintaining public safety."
One of the officers helping to protect the environment in South Kesteven is Nicole Birdsey, an Environmental Protection Officer.
Nicole's role includes enforcing and assessing legislation related to industrial and commercial emissions, air quality and noise.
After starting her journey at the Council a few years ago, Nicole is now starting year 2 of the Environmental Health Apprenticeship degree with the Middlesex University.
The degree will help her to progress her career and open up opportunities to other areas of the industry.
Nicole said: "There is no 'typical' day when you work within Environmental Health which is a really fascinating part of my role.
"One day you could be in the office scheduling work and responding to enquires and the next you could be carrying out investigation visits for nuisance or kitted out in your hi-vis inspecting mobile equipment down a Quarry. It is a role which has a lot of variety, opportunities to progress and job satisfaction.
"Alongside my role, I have also recently completed the first year of my qualification which has given me a real insight into some other areas of Environmental Health and helped to develop some key professional, academic and personal skills."
Working alongside Nicole is Kati Conway, Senior Neighbourhoods Officer. Kati works within the Neighbourhoods Team at the Council and responds to reports of anti-social behaviour, neighbour disputes and environmental crime.
She said: "My career in Environmental Health started in 2012 when I joined SKDC as a Technical Support Officer within the Commercial Team, dealing with food, health and safety and public health.
"I hadn't realised the breadth of what Environmental Health was until I started working at the Council. I became interested in the public health element of my role and knew this something that I wanted to do as I wanted to make a difference.
"One of my favourite things about my role is the variety, no two days are the same because every case and every individual we deal with is unique.
As well as Nicole, Kati is also starting the second year of the apprenticeship degree in Environmental Health after joining the Council more than ten years ago.
"I am really enjoying my qualification. It has been really interesting to find out about the proactive role Environmental Health professionals play in preventing crime, protecting the environment and keeping the public safe."
For more information about the Environmental Health services provided by South Kesteven District Council, visit www.southkesteven.gov.uk/ehs.