At present there is a shortage of qualified environmental health professionals within Local Authorities. However, the workload being placed on departments is ever increasing and consequently most Local Authorities are turning to companies such as RSA to make up the shortfall. The only constraints that restrict the amount of work that you get are those that you place on yourself.

There are two main types of contract that we operate at RSA. Firstly, there is a placement contract where you will be placed at a Local Authority for a number of hours per week, for a set number of weeks or months. Alternatively, we employ professionals for specific projects/tasks such as batches of food hygiene inspections. These are allocated and can be completed at the consultants own pace, as long as the client’s deadline is met.

Depending upon the type of contract that you do and whether you are a limited company or not, you will either be paid gross upon submission of an invoice or else you will be paid monthly by BACS through PAYE. We are governed by Inland Revenue rules under IR35 and so for each contract we will undertake an assessment and let you know whether you will need to join RSA’s payroll.

If you undertake a specific project then you will either be paid an agreed amount upon completion of the project or else per inspection or unit task completed.

The amount paid includes all expenses that are reasonably incurred whilst undertaking the work. On placements, a separate mileage payment is made for those miles completed whilst on district.

This varies according to the contract, the type of work, the part of the country where the contract is and your experience. Rates are agreed at the start of each contract.

In short the answer is ‘yes’. However, due to your lack of experience you will not be able to be employed as an EHO. Therefore, you could be placed as a technical officer or assistant. A number of recently qualified EHO’s have taken this route to gain valuable experience and to get a foothold within the sector. A number have even found full time employment soon after.

The main advantage is freedom of working when and where you like. You are able to choose which contracts you undertake and you can work as many or little hours you wish. You will be able to undertake the tasks that you have been trained for, instead of worrying about increasing management responsibilities or internal politics.

As a company, we do have a code of conduct, which you will have to comply with. You will also be expected to provide the equipment that is required to undertake your role e.g. white coat, hat and thermometer for food inspections. A mobile phone is a necessity. A car will also be required for the majority of contracts, but is not always essential.