ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS Number 347 Interest Area 11 1998
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 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 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.
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