Environmental health officers (EHOs) help protect members of the public from disease and other dangers to health. They advise and educate organisations on how to meet regulations and make sure that they are enforced.
They deal with safety of food and water, housing, air and noise pollution, epidemic control, pest control and waste disposal.
The Work
You could be:
inspecting shops, restaurants, abattoirs (slaughterhouses) or refuse disposal sites to check that they meet with official hygiene standards
providing advice and information to local businesses, the public and national agencies
checking levels of air, noise, water and land pollution using scientific equipment
taking photos and video evidence
visiting residences in response to complaints from the neighbours and proposing changes
tracing sources of food-poisoning and collecting samples for analysis
monitoring the water in public swimming pools
writing detailed reports of visits and recommendations
collecting information and appearing in court to give evidence in court cases.
Pay
Pay rates vary, depending on:
where you work
the size of company or organisation you work for
the demand for the job.
Salaries for qualified environmental health officers in the UK tend to be in the range of £27,000 to £40,000 a year. Senior EHOs can earn up to around £50,000 a year.
Conditions
You would work in an office, but spend a lot of time visiting premises – some of which may be dirty, unpleasant or dangerous.
The people running the premises you visit might be angry or aggressive.
You may have to work at heights or in confined spaces.
You would sometimes have to wear protective clothing.
You might have to attend law courts to give evidence.
Working hours are usually regular but you might have to work some evenings and weekends.
You would need to study for an MSc or BSc Hons in Environmental Health accredited by the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS).
In Scotland, only the University of the West of Scotland offers the REHIS accredited degree course in Environmental Health. For entry you will require 4 Highers at BBBC including 1 science subject plus English and Maths at National 5.
The University of Strathclyde offers the MSc Environmental Health Sciences on a full time, part time and distance learning basis. You would require a first or second class Honours degree in a relevant life science or engineering discipline.
After you have your BSc or MSc, you would complete a 1-year training programme with a local authority. This can be completed with an employer during university holidays over 4 years. You would then be eligible to register with REHIS and receive a copy of the current Scheme of Professional Practice.
You will be required to keep a training record, including a portfolio of evidence, detailing your practical work.
After completing your practical training, you will be required to pass the Professional Examination, and will receive the REHIS Diploma in Environmental Health.
You need a driving licence.
You should be healthy as you might be exposed to infectious diseases and unhealthy conditions.
Most EHOs in Scotland work for local authorities or for government agencies such as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), but you could move into work in the private sector; in hotels, the catering industry or food manufacturing.
