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THE JOB
Environmental health is a challenging and dynamic field focused on the
preservation and improvement of environmental factors affecting the health
and safety of our community. The impact of mankind on the environment
increasingly threatens the quality of our air, water, land and food--
protecting and maintaining these essential resources is a national priority.
Most jobs for ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS are in government where they
play a critical role in ensuring a high quality of life for future
generations, through community awareness and education about environmental
health issues and through the administration and enforcement of
environmental and public health laws.
Environmental Health Specialists enforce health and safety standards
relating to food and other consumer products. They conduct routine
inspections of establishments open to the public to ensure that minimum
health and safety standards are met. They investigate leaking underground
storage tanks and oversee mitigation efforts for cleanup. They conduct
water quality sampling to ensure that drinking water supplies are potable
and palatable. Environmental Health Specialists perform inspections of
public pools and recreational areas to ensure the public's safety.
Environmental Health Specialists prepare inspection reports and issue
notices of violation and needed corrections. Many local health department
Environmental Health Specialists are deputized and may issue citations to
appear in court when flagrant violations of environmental health and
sanitation codes are found. Environmental Health Specialist also make
surveys and recommend new or revised ordinances relating to environmental
health.
During routine inspections, Specialists assess the immediate environment to
determine compliance with applicable codes. Specialists investigate
radiation, disease-carrying animals or insects (vectors), air pollution,
hazardous waste and toxic materials storage and disposal, land use planning,
and noise control and other occupational health hazards. They inspect food
processing and food serving establishments as well as water systems, sewage
systems, solid waste disposal facilities, medical waste, hazardous waste,
and toxic materials handling and storage practices. They inspect industrial
plants, detention facilities and other buildings such as apartments and
hotels. Sometimes referred to as compliance officers, health inspectors
or sanitarians, they enforce adherence to a wide range of regulations
and laws that protect the public.
Environmental Health Specialists review construction and equipment plans and
specifications for the businesses and industrial plants they regulate. When
investigating proposed subdivisions, they may collect data on soil
conditions, drainage, adjacent sewer installations, water table levels, and
other conditions.
Environmental Heath Specialists provide educational and consultation
services in environmental health and safety practices. This may involve
speaking to groups of industrial managers, food vendors, property owners,
and tenants. It may include conducting classes and demonstrations on
sanitary methods and procedures.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Specialists are usually assigned to specific districts, performing all of
the duties required in that district. They spend most of their time outside
the office conducting field inspections and investigations. The work is
often strenuous, requiring sustained physical effort in activities such as
climbing, stooping, and walking. Workers in this occupation are often
exposed to health and accident hazards. In seeking to eliminate disease
vectors and hazards from toxic materials, there is risk of exposure to
disease and potentially hazardous situations.
Transportation is usually provided by the employer; if employees must use
their own car, the employer generally pays mileage.
Membership in one or more professional associations is customary. These
associations include the American Public Health Association, the National
Environmental Health Association, the California Environmental Health
Association, and the International Association of Milk, Food and
Environmental Sanitarians, Inc.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The following information is from the California Projections of Employment
published by the Labor Market Information Division. These figures represent
the broad occupational group Compliance Officers and Enforcement Inspectors
which includes Environmental Health Specialists.
Estimated number of workers in 1993 20,820
Estimated number of workers in 2005 25,260
Projected Growth 1993-2005 21%
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 6,040
(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover.)
Currently there are about 3,000 Environmental Health Specialists registered
in the State. Growth in the industry is expected to be a little slower than
average through 2000. Competition is brisk for positions. Most job
openings will occur from replacement needs as workers leave the labor force.
WAGES, HOURS AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Salaries for Environmental Health Specialists average about $2,900 per
month. Specialists working for the State of California start at $2,197 per
month. After a series of promotions, they can earn $4,242 per month.
Agencies in larger metropolitan areas usually pay the higher salaries.
Normal working hours vary from 36 to 40 hours per week. Environmental
Health Specialists may be subject to emergency duty, especially those
working at the local level. Paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance,
and a retirement program are the usual fringe benefits for civil service jobs.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
A bachelor's degree in science or a degree that includes specific science
course work is needed to become an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee.
Qualified graduates first must get a trainee job with a city, county, state,
or federal environmental agency; and then after up to 18 months of
experience are eligible to take the Environmental Health Specialist
registration examination. This examination is given by the California
Department of Health Services, Environmental Health Division.
Six State colleges and universities currently offer B.S. degrees in
Environmental Health: California State Universities (CSU) at Fresno,
Northridge, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego State, and San Jose.
Master's degrees are offered at CSU Fresno, Northridge, and San Diego, the
University of California at Los Angeles and Berkeley, and at Loma Linda
University.
Most agencies select Environmental Health Specialists on the basis of an
oral interview and information provided on the written application.
Applicants for work with the U.S. Public Health Service must have a master's
degree in Environmental Health Science.
High school students interested in the field should take courses in
mathematics, life sciences, physical sciences and English composition.
ADVANCEMENT
Promotion in local agencies is usually from trainee, through specialist to
senior specialist. With larger agencies, it is possible to advance to
supervisor, assistant chief or director of environmental health. Experience
in this field can lead to a Research career; some universities maintain
environmental health Research laboratories. The U.S. Department of Heath
and Human Services has a number of Research jobs for Environmental Health
Specialists.
FINDING THE JOB
Most jobs are with city, county, district, state, and federal agencies.
Applications can be sent to the personnel offices of cities and counties,
the California State Personnel Board and the U.S. Office of Personnel
Management. Job openings in private industry may be listed with the
California Employment Development Department Job Service, university
placement offices and in professional journals.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
American Public Health Association
1015 15th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005-2605
(202) 789-5600
http://www.apha.org
California Department of Health Services
Environmental Management Branch
601 North 7th Street
P.O. Box 942732, MS 396
Sacramento, CA 94234-7320
(916) 322-2040
http://www.dhs.cahwnet.gov
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Microbiologists No. 168
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th Ed., 1991)
Sanitarian 079.117-018
Health Officer, Field 168.167-018
Food and Drug Inspector 168.267-042
Hazardous-Waste Management Specialist 168.267-086
Sanitation Inspector 168.267-110
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Compliance Officers and
Enforcement Inspectors 219110
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
Note: This is NOT a job opening. The purpose of This California Occupational Guide
is to provide you with useful information to help you make career decisions.
If you are searching for a job, go to:
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