Dean - Environmental Health Officer (Inspections Division)

 

• How long have you worked at HCC?

Over 10 years.

 

• What attracted you to the role?

I was working at a haematology laboratory in Wellington and didn't enjoy being cooped up inside all day. I was more interested in environmental sciences and wanted to work in a position where I could spend some of my time doing fieldwork. This role allows me to do just that and I spend at least one third of my day out in the field doing inspections or carrying out investigations.

 

• What does your job involve – day to day things?

Fieldwork involves routine tasks such as inspecting various types of premises (food, hairdressers, liquor, offensive trades) for compliance with the relevant legislation, in addition to non-routine work such as health nuisance complaints, noise monitoring, pollution and hazardous substances incidents. Back in the office I have to write reports based on my fieldwork, review resource consent applications for potential adverse effects and compliance with the District Plan, assist our Environmental Policy Division, and respond to customer enquiries by phone or at the front counter.

 

• Things about the job that you enjoy the most…

The diversity of the role and seeing a job through to a positive conclusion. Each day could throw up something completely different. Dealing with the public and people in general means I get to meet some really interesting characters.  Because a lot of my work is generated through complaints, it often means getting involved with neighbourhood disputes. One party will usually be happy with the result, while the other may not. Sometimes the 'letter of the law' takes a back seat to a practicable compromise. Diplomacy and negtiation skills are therefore very important, but you can't please everyone all the time and sometimes this results in confrontation, which can be very challenging.

 

• What is your view of the main benefits of working at HCC / in Lower Hutt?

Personally I do not like commuting, so as I live in Lower Hutt work is only a few minutes away. In my role I have a lot of freedom in managing my time and workload, and prioritising my work. My hours are not rigid and I am generally able to maintain a good work/life balance. Lower Hutt has a wide range of residential/commercial/industrial activites, in addition to rural/urban/city aspects. This again means a lot of variation in the nature of my work. 

 

• What skills & attributes do you think someone will need to do your job?

Good observation and investigation skills, being able to listen, having empathy, technical and analytical expertise, good communication skills (verbal and written), assertiveness, diplomacy and negotiation, reasonably physically fit, persuasive.