Tyler Wray
MCIEH CEnvH
Environmental Health Officer
"I love being able to do a job
that makes such a positive contribution to society."
What environmental health means to me
It's an holistic approach to a person and community’s health and wellbeing, educating and advising individual, communities and businesses how to maintain improve health and wellbeing for all.
My inspiration
There are so many environmental factors that affect human health that a day rarely passes when environmental health does not appear in our lives in some shape or form.
I love being able to do a job that affects us in so many ways and makes such a positive contribution to society.
How I got started
I started in a local authority on an apprenticeship scheme. While working there, I discovered what environmental health was and the variety of roles that was undertook by the team.
Curious to find out more, I undertook work experience with the team, and then followed this up by attending a university open day which led to where I am today.
My current job
I am currently an Environmental Health Officer at the City of Lincoln Council working within the Food, Health and Safety Team covering all aspects of Food and Health and Safety. I also support the Environmental Protection Team in delivering the Welfare Funeral Service.
What I like most about being an EHP
I like the variety, as most other EHPs would agree. You never know what’s coming your way from one day to the next, and this keeps things interesting, as you are always learning something new.
You also get to interact with a whole range of different people from all walks of life.
The least glamorous part of my job
Within environmental health there are always winners and losers, and there will be difficult situations when intervention by environmental health will not be favourable to certain stakeholders.
You may also be wading through a muddy field in search of an odour source or overseeing a filthy and verminous case. That said, while not glamorous, it’s definitely a good excuse to get out the office!
What I am most proud of
Although it’s still early days in my career, my greatest achievement was gaining a first-class degree in environmental health.
In my final year, I was balancing my studies and dissertation write-up with a three-day-a-week environmental health placement. This taught me to prioritise my time and remain focused on my goals.
I’m very proud of this accomplishment, and being awarded the dean’s prize for excellence in environmental health by the university made all the hard work worthwhile.
My greatest professional challenge
Striking the balance between the requirements of the new professional pathway to further develop my professional development, whilst ensuring my duties within the day job are fulfilled. This has required lots of pre-planning and commitment.
In five years’ time
In five years, I aim to continue growing and excelling in my role as an environmental health officer. I plan to expand my professional development by staying up to date with the latest developments in the environmental health field, sharing knowledge and learning from colleagues and other professionals. Above all, my priority will remain protecting public health in every aspect of my work.
My advice to someone thinking
about becoming an EHP
If you want to enjoy a varied workload, interact with a whole host of different people in different environments, make a difference to people’s lives and not be afraid of a challenge, then environmental health is the profession for you.
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