Environmental Health Specialist

Environmental Health Specialist

Duties and Responsibilities:

   Environmental health specialists monitor health and safety conditions in residential, industrial, commercial, and recreational setting. Their main responsibility of this position is to determine the existence of possible health hazards and to take steps to correct them. Most of them work for the government agencies that monitor local, state, and federal safety and environmental regulations. They can also collect samples of soil, air, water and possible pollutions from the places they inspect.

Salary: 37,300-57,551

Education:

    Most positions for environmental health specialists require at least a bachelor's degree. Significant coursework in chemistry, biology, public health, physical sciences, as well as environmental engineering is usually needed as well. Those who want to work for the government have to complete a certification course administered by the appropriate local, state, or federal agency. Most states have licensing boards that examine potential candidates and grant certification to qualified applicants. The type of training and certification needed depends on the types of facilities being inspected. Credentialing is also available through the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). It is possible to receive specialist certification for dealing with certain types of hazardous materials.

Demand for this profession:    

  Environmental health specialists who work for government agencies typically advance along a specified career ladder in which they receive salary increases according to a set schedule. When the top salary level is reached, further advancement leads to supervisory positions. There is a good deal of competition for these positions, which are based on the needs of the agency as well as the qualifications of the candidate.

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Reflection: Do you think you would like to be one? Why? Why not?

  I think that I would like to become one because, then you get to go out and explore how to make your community or any community a better and safer place to live. Another thing is that you get to experiment with tools outdoor and see if there is any danger in your community. You can also make a difference if you decide to become someone like this.