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General Description

This is an ideal career for analytical and logical thinkers.  Each day is different for an environmental health officer. Tasks range from educating and enforcing the public under various legislation and regulations, to assisting on the frontline of major emergency situations such as the recent Victorian bushfires.

Career Advice - Environmental Health Officer Career

You are focused on assisting the promotion of community health, hygiene and safe environmental practice.

What you do every day

Your day as an environmental health officer depends on your location, area of specialisation, and level of responsibility. If you specialise in manufacturing and construction, your day could involve supervision and regulation of water, air, radiation and noise pollution including   the collection of samples for analysis as well as conduct routine health and safety inspections.

If you specialise in food and health regulations, you could investigate complaints about food safety to ensure that stores, restaurants, food processors, and private and rented accommodations abide by health regulations.

Other times you could be inspecting hairdressing and beauty salons; and licensed workplaces like tattoo parlours, acupuncturists, pet shops and other animal related businesses.

Within an office setting, you may compose policy documents and guidelines referring to health matters; assume responsibility to maintain records; prepare statistics and reports; give evidence in court cases regarding the violation of health or environmental regulations; be required to make arrangements for the removal of abandoned vehicles and waste; and organise for the safe destruction of used syringes from medical facilities.

Personality that best fits this occupation

Overall, environmental health officers should believe in promoting high quality public health programs for the community. It will help if you are good at science, have well developed investigational, analytical and logical skills and are a good communicator. You must have a high level of literacy and numeracy.

Once you have identified a problem, you will need good decision making skills to determine an appropriate course of action. You will come across many situations that require problem solving. This skill, as well as resourcefulness and being able to take initiative, is necessary in your daily tasks.

Good communication skills are important, as well as the ability to negotiate and exercise diplomacy. You will encounter a diverse range of workplaces and people, and so you will require tact, courtesy, assertiveness, and the ability to be firm and objective when making decisions.

Best thing about this career

Being an environmental health officer is an interesting and exciting career. Your duties and work places are diverse and you will learn about various occupations, businesses and meet new people. Educating the public and enforcing legislation means you make a significant contribution to society, workers and families. It is a position of significant responsibility and authority.

Worst thing about this career

There are many premises that fail to meet required standards and the proprietors are defensive and easily angered. You may be subject to abuse and lack of co-operation. Some do not agree with the importance of your role and a stigma is often attached to it.