Lloyd Spicer
Age: 27
Lives: Spalding
How long in Local Government? 5 years
What subjects did you take at school/college/university?
Spalding Grammar School - A levels: Maths, English Literature, Business Studies
Leeds Metropolitan University - BSc Sport and Exercise Science
University of West of England - MSc in Environmental Health
Tell us a little bit about your job and what it involves
I'm based in the Food Safety and Licensing Team, employed as an enforcing officer. My job role involves:
- Enforcing all appropriate legislation for food and licensed businesses
- Food hygiene inspections from takeaways, restaurants, cafes, nursing homes, factories, mobile vehicles - from sole traders to the UK's largest food producers!
- Dealing with national food complaints
- Investigation of food poisonings and notifiable diseases
- Deliver food hygiene training courses to schools and the general public
- Enforcing and educating the new smoke free legislation
- Enforcing taxi licensing
- Mentor to student EHP
- Organising public events - Food Open Day
What do you like about working in Local Government/what are the benefits?
Likes:
- Every day is different! You can't plan your day as something unexpected always turns up. For example: food poisoning outbreaks, food and mouth outbreaks, national food recalls
- You get to meet a variety of people from all different backgrounds, nationalities and food experience.
- Delivering food hygiene training to secondary schools and members of the public.
- Being challenged by ever-updating and evolving legislation.
Benefits:
- Flexible working days
- Car loan scheme
- Like minded work colleagues and a great working environment
What attracted you to working at a local authority?
To be honest ... I needed a job!! After travelling throughout Australia and New Zealand for a year, I came back to Spalding and signed up at a temping agency - the next day I was working in Environmental Health as an admin officer.I progressed to being employed by SHDC as a Technician in Environment Protection. I liked the job and decided to go back to university and qualify as an EHP. I returned to SHDC as a student and became fully qualified and registered with the Chartered Institute. Luckily a position became available which I was fortunate to get; the rest is history.
What are your career aspirations?
I'm gaining experience all the time and improving my competency in all areas of food safety.
I'd like to progress to management within the local authority framework - the sky's the limit. As long as I continue to enjoy my job, I'll keep trying to challenge myself and progress. | 
