Environmental Health Specialist

Duties and Responsibilities:

An environmental health specialist is a general term for someone who inspects environmental health systems to make sure they are in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. These regulations are set by the government to keep citizens safe and healthy. Responsibilities often include reviewing permits, collecting and interpreting data, investigating complaints, monitoring, educating, performing inspections, and renewing or revoking licenses.

Salary:

Experience seems to be a major factor in determining the incomes of environmental health specialist. Salaries for inexperience workers average out to $46k, and those with 5-10 years’ experience earn a higher median of $40k Environmental health specialist who work for 10-20 years in their occupation tend to earn about $54k. Those who have stuck around for more than two decades see earnings around $62k.

Education:

To become an environmental health specialist you need a bachelor’s degree. You also need an occupational health, safety or a comparable scientific discipline. Also, voluntary certification is available through professional organizations. Work experience is important, through internships or otherwise. Key skills: good communication skills, attention to detail, problem solving personality.

Demand for this Profession:

Most positions for environmental health specialist require a significant course work in chemistry, biology, public health, physical sciences, as well as environmental engineering is usually needed as well.

                                          

Reflection: Environmental health specialist was not the first thing to come to my mind as a first option of a career. I don’t think this is a career I would want to study because I dont think I would really be interested in.