ADD ADVICE TO FAVEnvironmental health officer
Environmental health officers work for unitary, district / borough and metropolitan councils, covering commercial and recreational premises, private industries, the armed forces, the Civil Service and universities.
What environmental health officers do
- investigate outbreaks of disease to identify causes and prevent recurrences
- notify appropriate authorities of outbreaks of potentially dangerous diseases, and advise on containment and future prevention
- maintain standards of hygiene in public places, by visiting and inspecting premises
- compile evidence and attend hearings to prosecute persistent offenders against hygiene regulations
- advise on housing conditions
- undertake food inspections
- advise on legal duties.
Key skills for environmental health officers
- ability to absorb technical and legal information
- investigative skills
- methodical approach
- good interpersonal and teamworking skills
- sensitivity to others
- ability to defuse potentially difficult situations
- attention to detail.
Training to be an environmental health officer
Entry to the profession is available via the successful completion of a Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) accredited degree, normally a BSc or MSc in environmental health.
The degree must include or be followed by a period (normally a full academic year) or work-based learning within an organisation that delivers an environmental health service.
The CIEH also sets professional exams, which must be passed by those wishing to practise as environmental health officers.
Salaries foor environmental health officers
Salaries for newly qualified environmental health officers are usually between £24,000 and £30,000.
