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Environmental Health Officer

Also known as Health Surveyor.

Environmental health officers assess risk and develop, regulate, enforce and monitor laws and regulations governing public health for both the built and natural environment, in order to promote good human health and environmental practices.

Environmental health officers may specialise in the areas of air, food and water quality; disease vector control (mosquito control, for example); waste management; environmental protection; health education; and noise control.

They are also involved in consultation, evaluation, managerial and health promotion activities.

TASKS

Environmental health officers may perform the following tasks:

investigate complaints about food safety and ensure shops, restaurants and food processors follow health regulations
monitor and control water, air and noise pollution and collect water samples for analysis
initiate and conduct environmental health impact or risk assessments
design and conduct health education programmes or public information campaigns
prepare policy documents and guidelines relating to environmental health matters
manage immunisation campaigns
manage programmes to control disease-causing pests such as mosquitoes
investigate and manage public health incidents such as disease outbreaks
manage programmes to control public health and environmental issues associated with major public events
respond to disasters and emergency situations where public health is at risk
assess building development applications and inspect houses and public buildings to ensure they comply with environmental or health and safety standards
inspect and license premises that may present infectious disease risks to the community (such as tattoo parlours and acupuncturists, where skin penetration and body piercing occurs), and inspect hairdressing and beauty salons
maintain records, prepare statistics, write reports and give evidence in court cases where health or environmental regulations have been violated

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

good communication skills
good negotiation skills
tactful and courteous
able to be firm and impartial when making decisions
resourceful
able to take initiative
good problem-solving skills
able to work independently or as a part of a team

Interest Area

EDUCATION & TRAINING

To become an environmental health officer you usually have to study environmental health, environmental science, public health or environmental management at university. These areas of study may be undertaken within a science, health science, social science or natural science degree. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics are normally required.

A number of universities in Australia offer degrees in these areas.

Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the universities you are interested in for more information as requirements may change.

Additional Information

Graduates can become members of Environmental Health Australia, a national professional association for environmental health officers and other professionals working in environmental health. Student membership is available to those studying an accredited environmental health degree.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The main employers are local government and councils.

Environmental health officers are also employed by the Australian Defence Force, state and territory health and environment departments and area health services, as well as major food corporations, international airlines and overseas aid organisations. There are growing opportunities elsewhere in the private sector.