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Public Health Officer CV Example

A public health officer CV demonstrates your expertise in disease prevention, health promotion, and population-level health improvement strategies.

Recommended template: ProfessionalPro

Key Skills to Include

EpidemiologyHealth PromotionDisease SurveillanceData AnalysisPolicy DevelopmentCommunity Health AssessmentPartnership WorkingProgramme Evaluation

Quick Tips

  • Highlight public health programmes you have developed or contributed to.
  • Include measurable health outcomes and population impact data.
  • Mention professional registration and membership of the Faculty of Public Health if applicable.
  • Detail experience with health needs assessments and evidence-based interventions.

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How to Write Your Public Health Officer CV

A public health officer CV must demonstrate your ability to assess population health needs, design and deliver health improvement programmes, and evaluate their impact. Employers want to see that you understand epidemiology, can analyse health data, and have experience working with partners across the NHS, local authorities, and the voluntary sector. Whether you specialise in health promotion, disease control, or public health intelligence, your CV should show that you make a measurable difference to the health of the communities you serve.

CV Structure

Use a reverse-chronological format with your professional registration and public health qualifications listed prominently. Include a profile summarising your specialism and key achievements, followed by your career history, qualifications, and skills. Each role should describe the population served, the programmes you contributed to, and the outcomes achieved. Keep your CV to two pages.

CV Format

Choose a professional, clean template that suits a public sector or academic environment. Public health roles require analytical precision and clear communication, so your CV should demonstrate these qualities through well-structured content and error-free writing. Use bullet points and present health outcome data clearly.

CV Profile Examples

Experienced Public Health Officer

Registered public health practitioner with six years of experience in health improvement, disease surveillance, and population health assessment within a local authority public health team. Led programmes addressing smoking cessation, obesity prevention, and sexual health that collectively reached over 25,000 residents. Skilled at analysing health data, commissioning services, and producing Joint Strategic Needs Assessments to inform local health priorities.

Senior Public Health Specialist

Public health consultant with twelve years of experience spanning NHS and local authority settings, specialising in communicable disease control and emergency preparedness. Managed the local public health response to disease outbreaks, produced annual health profiles, and advised elected members on health inequalities data. Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health with a Master of Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Early-Career Public Health Officer

Public health graduate with an MPH and one year of experience as a public health intelligence analyst within a local authority. Conducted health needs assessments, produced data dashboards for senior officers, and contributed to the evaluation of a community weight management programme. Eager to develop expertise in health promotion and disease prevention within a multidisciplinary public health team.

State your professional registration, years of public health experience, and your key areas of specialism. Include the population size you have served and one or two headline achievements such as health outcome improvements or funding secured for programmes.

Key Skills for Your Public Health Officer CV

Epidemiology

Analysing the distribution and determinants of disease within populations to inform public health interventions and policy decisions.

Health Promotion

Designing and delivering programmes that encourage healthy behaviours and reduce risk factors across population groups.

Disease Surveillance

Monitoring the incidence and spread of communicable diseases and coordinating public health responses to outbreaks.

Data Analysis

Interpreting quantitative health data from national and local sources to identify trends, inequalities, and priorities for action.

Policy Development

Contributing to the development of public health policy at local and national level through evidence-based recommendations.

Community Health Assessment

Conducting health needs assessments to understand the health status and service requirements of local populations.

Partnership Working

Collaborating with NHS, local authority, voluntary sector, and community partners to deliver joined-up public health programmes.

Programme Evaluation

Evaluating the effectiveness and impact of public health interventions using quantitative and qualitative methods.

Work Experience Examples

For each role, describe the local authority or NHS organisation, the population served, and the public health programmes you contributed to. Quantify your impact with health outcome data, participation figures, and programme evaluation results. Include experience with Joint Strategic Needs Assessments, service commissioning, and multi-agency partnership working.

Public Health Officer — Health Improvement

Nottinghamshire County Council — Public Health Department

Delivered health improvement programmes across a county of 830,000 residents, focusing on tobacco control, healthy weight, and mental wellbeing.

Responsibilities

  • Managed the county's tobacco control programme, commissioning stop smoking services and coordinating smoke-free campaigns with NHS and voluntary sector partners.
  • Conducted health needs assessments using PHE Fingertips data, local surveys, and population health records to identify priority areas for intervention.
  • Produced sections of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment covering physical activity, obesity, and substance misuse for presentation to the Health and Wellbeing Board.
  • Monitored and evaluated commissioned health improvement services against key performance indicators and contractual outcomes.
  • Represented the public health team at multi-agency partnership meetings, contributing to collaborative strategies on health inequalities.

Achievements

  • Contributed to a 12% increase in successful four-week smoking quit outcomes across the county over a two-year period through service redesign and targeted outreach.
  • Produced a health inequalities briefing that informed the council's decision to allocate an additional £250,000 to deprived communities for healthy weight programmes.
  • Presented evaluation findings at the Faculty of Public Health annual conference, receiving commendation from the session chair for methodological rigour.

Public Health Intelligence Analyst

Leicester City Council — Public Health Team

Provided data analysis and intelligence support to the public health team, producing health profiles, needs assessments, and programme evaluation reports.

Responsibilities

  • Analysed population health data from PHE, ONS, and local sources to produce health profiles and trend analyses for the Director of Public Health.
  • Designed and maintained interactive health data dashboards using Power BI for use by public health officers and commissioners.
  • Supported the evaluation of public health programmes by designing evaluation frameworks, collecting outcome data, and reporting findings.
  • Responded to ad hoc data requests from elected members, NHS commissioners, and partner organisations.

Achievements

  • Developed a ward-level health inequalities dashboard that was adopted by the Health and Wellbeing Board as a standing agenda item for monitoring progress.
  • Produced the data analysis for a successful bid for £180,000 in additional funding from Public Health England for a community mental health programme.

Education & Qualifications

List your Master of Public Health or equivalent postgraduate qualification first, followed by your undergraduate degree. Include professional registration with the UK Public Health Register or Fellowship of the Faculty of Public Health. Note any specialist training in epidemiology, health economics, or programme evaluation.

Master of Public Health (MPH)

The standard postgraduate qualification for public health professionals, covering epidemiology, health promotion, and health policy.

UK Public Health Register (UKPHR)

Professional registration for public health practitioners and specialists, demonstrating competence across the public health competency framework.

Faculty of Public Health Membership

Membership of the Faculty of Public Health, the professional body for public health specialists in the UK, obtained through examination.

Health Education England Training

Specialist public health training programmes delivered through Health Education England for registrars and practitioners.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need for public health roles?
Most public health officer roles require a Master of Public Health or equivalent postgraduate qualification. For senior roles, Fellowship of the Faculty of Public Health is expected. Registration with the UK Public Health Register demonstrates professional competence at practitioner or specialist level. A background in health sciences, epidemiology, or a related social science is typical, though the profession welcomes entrants from diverse academic backgrounds.
How do I show health impact on my CV?
Use specific data to demonstrate the outcomes of your work. State the population reached, health indicators improved, and programme targets met. For example, you might describe a smoking cessation programme that achieved a 15% increase in four-week quit rates, or a health needs assessment that informed the allocation of additional funding to deprived areas. Quantified health outcome data is the most compelling evidence of your effectiveness.
Should I include academic publications on a public health CV?
Yes, if you have published research in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences, or authored reports that have been widely cited. Academic publications demonstrate your research capability and your contribution to the evidence base. List publications in a dedicated section, formatted consistently with academic citation conventions. If you have many publications, include only the most relevant to the role.
What sectors employ public health professionals?
Local authorities are the primary employers of public health professionals in England following the 2013 transfer of responsibilities from the NHS. NHS organisations, Public Health England's successor body UKHSA, academic institutions, and charities also employ public health practitioners. International organisations such as the WHO and NGOs offer overseas opportunities. Tailor your CV to the sector by emphasising the most relevant aspects of your experience.

More Government & Public Service CV Examples

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