Jobs

We are looking for candidates with a track record of implementing public health programmes in a range of settings, and with exceptional communication skills and ability to progress public health priorities through leadership at all levels of the system.

Public Health Advanced Practitioners play a key role in forging partnerships with and influencing all key stakeholders within their specialist area of responsibility.   They are also responsible for key elements of the Council’s public health vision and strategic plan, developing, implementing, monitoring and leading key public health programmes to reduce health inequalities and improve health and wellbeing. This will be delivered through the commissioning process and marketplace development with providers including other Local Authorities, the NHS (commissioners, providers in the acute, mental health and primary care), the third sector and independent/private sector.
 
WHAT IS INVOLVED?
The postholder will be allocated a defined initial portfolio area on appointment; topic areas of focus may change over time based on business need and individual professional development.
 
Applications are invited for the following posts:
 
Public Health Advanced Practitioner (Team 3)
Responsibility for the following public health portfolio:

• Leading on a system-wide approach to reduce the harms from alcohol and drugs across County Durham
• Contributing to reducing gambling-related harms within the community setting
• Working across the lifecourse to promote health and wellbeing, and addressing inequities experienced by vulnerable groups.
• Collaborating with partners to reduce the stigma and discrimination experienced by substance users and their families 

Initially the postholder will:

• Contribute to delivering the Combating Drugs and Alcohol agenda in County Durham
• Collaborate with a range of partners and stakeholders to embed effective pathways into recovery for those experiencing harms from alcohol, drugs and gambling
• Oversee the implementation of the Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement Grant (DATRIG) with an emphasis on enhancing service improvements and quality standards.
• Oversee the monitoring and delivery of the County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service
• Create opportunities to embed approaches to tackle gambling harms
• Link with the homelessness, mental health, domestic abuse, health, social care, criminal justice and the poverty agenda to coproduce positive outcomes for people presenting with multiple vulnerabilities.
• Champion the integration of the Voice of Lived Experience in all aspects of system-wide delivery on the substance use agenda. 

If you would like an informal discussion about this post, please contact: Jane Sunter, Public Health Strategic Manager jane.sunter@durham.gov.uk
 
Public Health Advanced Practitioner (Team 4)
Responsibility for the following public health portfolio:

• Workplace health and wellbeing programme
• Work and health initiatives
• Prevention of long term health conditions
• Supporting the Public Health approach to inclusive economic development (Economy as a wider determinant of health). 

Initially the postholder will:

• Lead the workplace health and wellbeing agenda, driving engagement across public, private, and voluntary sector organisations, and lead the development and implementation of workplace initiatives within Durham County Council to maximise employee health and wellbeing.
• Lead the ongoing development and delivery of the County Durham Better Health at Work Award, alongside broader programmes that enhance workplace health and wellbeing across the region.
• Collaborate with key internal and external stakeholders to design, scope, and embed effective preventative approaches to reduce the prevalence and impact of long-term health conditions.
• Support the Strategic Manager in maximising the Public Health contribution to inclusive economic growth (Economy as a wider determinant of health), promoting the health benefits of good work and ensuring a strong local focus.
• Provide operational Public Health support for the development of local Anchor Organisation and Community Wealth Building initiatives 

 
If you would like an informal discussion about this post, please contact: Mick Shannon, Public Health Strategic Manager Michael.shannon@durham.gov.uk

The postholder will also be required to provide cover, for example during holidays or other periods of absence, across the other areas of work covered within the relevant Strategic Manager’s portfolio. 

The successful candidate may be expected to provide cover across other Public Health Advanced Practitioner work areas, ensuring continuity of service and support across the wider team. This may include taking on responsibilities outside their core portfolio, working collaboratively with colleagues, and contributing to shared priorities as needed.

WHAT WILL I NEED?
Required Qualifications:

• Masters level qualification in Public Health (or working towards); or a masters level qualification in Public Health, Health Promotion, or a related field with experience of delivering programmes of work in a public health team.

Please refer to the attached Person Specification for the full criteria. 

INTERVIEWS
It is anticipated that interviews will be held on 9th or 10th April 2026.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.

OUR OFFER TO YOU
We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website 

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.

HOW TO APPLY 
Please note, we do not accept CVs. All applications must be submitted online via the Northeast Jobs portal. Use the ‘Person Specification’ section of the form to clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential (and where possible, desirable) criteria. Applications that do not evidence the essential requirements will not be shortlisted.

Please visit our website to understand our position on using AI to support to your application and for guidance on completing your application.
 
If you require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27, or via email RecruitmentAHS@durham.gov.uk
 
All correspondence relating to your application will be sent from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk. Kindly check your spam/junk folder regularly to ensure you don’t miss any updates.
 
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Company: Durham County Council

Salary: Grade 16 - £56,554 - £60,680

Location: Spennymoor, Durham

Sector: Health and Social Care

Sector: Social Care

Job Role: Support Worker