Health Protection Practitioner (HCAI) - Ref: SS03626

Job description

Job Description

Health Protection Practitioner (HCAI) - Ref: SS03626

Grade: G10; Salary Range: £47,181 - £50,269

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work with Walsall Council's Public Health team working within the health protection agenda, which is a busy but exciting area of Public Health work.

You will have the opportunity within the Public Health team to contribute to the health and wellbeing of the people of Walsall.

The health protection role will require you to work with partners in the NHS and community to promote immunisations and screening. You will also work on health protection issues with schools, GPs, family hubs and maternity services and as such have the proven ability to work across many relevant disciplines and identify new partners who can support the agenda. You will be expected to have a basic knowledge of the principles of infection, prevention and control of communicable diseases and expected to support reactive work of responding to incidents and outbreaks.

Within this role, you will be required to demonstrate proven experience of working at a strategic level with an ability to engage and lead partners. The role will also involve you being able to work independently to Public Health topic priorities with a proven ability to take responsibility for your own workload and prioritise work according to demand. This role will also require you to horizon scan and identify emerging public health issues for the local population as part of the health protection agenda.

The Public Health team is a supportive team, and measures are put in place to ensure that the successful candidate can thrive in a busy and productive team.

Closing Date: 15th September 2026

Interview Date: 28th September 2026

View: Job Description and Employee Specification

This post is covered by the Government's Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.

Walsall Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children, young people and vulnerable adults entrusted to our care and it is our expectation that all staff will share this commitment. We will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce. Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Note: Applicants appointed to posts that require an enhanced DBS clearance must declare any periods of time that they have lived, studied or worked abroad and be prepared to provide an Overseas Criminal Records Certificate (OCRC) or a Statement of Good Conduct (SOGC) relating to anytime they were overseas.

Important note: When completing your online application form, you will be asked to enter supporting information. You must enter a detailed supporting information statement describing how your skills, abilities and experience meet the specific criteria included in the employee specification. If you do not include a supporting information statement, you will not be shortlisted. Please also ensure that you complete the work history and qualifications sections of your application form. Please do not add a CV as we do not accept them. Please see our Information for Applicants leaflet for further information.

We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this job vacancy. We are not accepting agency applications or referrals at this time.

At Walsall Council, we appreciate that AI can be a useful tool for ideas or guidance. However, we encourage you to make sure your application reflects your own voice and experiences. Over-reliance on AI can make responses feel less personal, and we really want to understand what makes you unique. Your experiences, skills, and perspective are what set you apart, so please ensure your application as a whole - particularly your 'Supporting Information' - reflects your own voice.

About Us

Here at Walsall, we want to attract the best talent. That's why - as well as a satisfying and rewarding job - we offer a range of attractive benefits. Working arrangements in most jobs are flexible (you may work flexitime, full or part time and job sharing is usually available) and you can expect generous holiday entitlements, a first class pension scheme and plenty of opportunities for training and personal development.

We advertise vacancies because we want the best talent available. If that's you, we're waiting for your application.

Living in Walsall

Part of the Black Country, famous for its enterprising and industrial past, Walsall is reinventing itself to become a progressive modern community. The borough is centred around the major town of Walsall, but also includes five smaller and distinctive district centres (Bloxwich, Aldridge, Willenhall, Darlaston and Brownhills), together with numerous villages.

Walsall Council is committed to Safer Recruitment.

To achieve our commitment, we will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce.

Social Work Matters - Children's Social Worker Recruitment

Some of our children require a special kind of support: yours. Visit our microsite to find out more about joining Walsall Council as a Children's Social Worker.