Local authority job interview

[earlydoors42]

I've an interview next week for a job in environmental health in our local authority. I'm just finishing a conversion Masters in it so haven't worked in this area before. I have to do a presentation (specifically about challenges to env health and possible solutions) and then they will ask me just 3 questions.

I have a different job for this council so I know the answers will be marked and getting the job depends on answers given
Any suggestions what they might be so I can prepare?

My current job had 6 marked questions at interview which were about GDPR, safeguarding, relevant legislation, the council's values, teamwork, and computer systems used.

All the books and websites about interview questions are about the more traditional type - tell me about yourself, where do you see yourself in 5 years etc. But my last 2 interviews (different places) have felt more like exams with questions marked to a mark scheme!

Thank you for any ideas.

Not environmental health but my local authority interview was technical questions about area and some skills based how would you deal with x scenario type thing. For those joining our team they were looking for people who would be a good fit and willing to learn plus had transferable skills from other areas that would be beneficial to team. Good luck.

Thank you! I'm going to reread all my course notes and try to think about answering scenario questions too.

Agree that my local authority interview consisted of an example customer complaint/enquiry and asked me to formulate a response .

Also, my department show the interviewees around the office and introduce them to everyone. Then after, they ask what our impressions are. So make sure you are friendly but not too over the top.

I'm an EHO. Have you applied for a certain discipline? Pollution, housing, communicable disease?

Thank you! Just thinking about it is making my heart race!

There is a permanent job in food, which I have said I would prefer, but also said I would consider the maternity leave post in pollution. My background is pollution and environmental consultancy (pre kids).

Ok, if they are only asking 3 questions it may just be competency where you would use STAR. I had scenarios where I had to prioritise cases. I did have to then give examples of what enforcement action I would take so brush up on your notices! I don't work in food but I still have RAN and HEPN floating around my head!

There may be a question about how you will manage competing demands/time management.
They may also ask you for your understanding of how an LA works differently to a private org.
An equalities question too?
But really, none of us here know what is in the interviewer's mind when setting the questions. But competence/skills questions definitely a good bet

Current challenges - recovery after covid, how are they doing with their current inspections, are they on target with FSA expectations (or behind/ahead). If Covid kicks off again will the department be putting resources into Covid stuff and what would be the resulting impact on service delivery? Are they noticing that premises that they haven’t been able to go to during Covid are now in a much worse state than if had they been inspected on time?

Make sure you know all the categories of stat nuisance - such an easy one to answer, but so many people just look blank.

And if the priorities question involves an accident and a food poisoning/ID type event - prioritise the food poisoning one over the accident!

A question to ask them might be is team all office based or part wfh. Teams are doing various combos at my place of work.

Thank you so much everyone. I've plenty of work to do before this interview! Really appreciate the advice.