Environmental Health Specialist Career & Jobs: Training, Salary & Certification Requirements

No matter what industry is being considered, it is of the utmost importance that the workers within it are protected from hazardous situations and conditions that might have an adverse effect on their health. There are strict regulations at the federal, state and local levels for the kinds of conditions that workers are allowed to be subjected to, and the environmental health specialist is the professional that is responsible for visiting various companies in the community and making sure that these regulations are being upheld properly. Many times environmental health specialists will be asked to use highly sophisticated equipment to take samples of the air, water and soil around which workers are operating, in order to test them for contamination and potential hazards. Businesses will not always react favorably to being told that they must change or clean up their operations, so the environmental health specialists must be strong enough to remain calm in adverse situations.

Salary Outlook

Average Annual Salary
$55,800
Salary Range
$39,200 - $72,300

Work Environment

Because the position of an environmental health specialist is regulatory in nature, it is common for these professionals to be employed by local, state or federal agencies that are responsible for overseeing commerce and industry. Community health departments, wildlife protection agencies, hospitals and private businesses are the most common employers of environmental health specialists.

High School Preparation

It is important that the student considering a career as an environmental health specialists become familiar with the interactions of humans, nature and industry at an early age. Courses that should be studied in high school include algebra, geometry, advanced mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental studies. It is also useful to be familiar with business management, computer skills and business communications.

Requirements

It is required that environmental health specialists achieve their high school diploma or the equivalent. After high school graduation, many individuals that are interested in this career attend an accredited college or university to obtain a bachelor’s degree in environmental health or environmental engineering. Degrees in biological or wildlife sciences and chemistry are also welcome. Those that wish to assume executive positions or teach on this subject can also go on to obtain masters or doctoral degrees in the area as well.

Career Outlook

As the federal government takes the initiative to mandate stricter regulations on businesses in industries that have been show to be potentially harmful to the environment or to the workers that operate it, there will be an increased demand for qualified individuals who can uphold these new laws and regulations. Private industry will have the need to hire these professionals proactively so that they can demonstrate their willingness to comply.

Professional Organizations

National Environmental Health Association
720 South Colorado Blvd.
South Tower, Suite 970
Denver, CO 80246-1925
Phone: (303) 756-9090
www.neha.org