What Career Options Are there in Environmental Health and Safety?
There are many career options open to individuals interested in working in the field of environmental health and safety. Career options in environmental health and safety may include toxicologist, food safety inspector, or sanitation director.
Employment Opportunities
The field of environmental health and safety focuses on protection and preservation of the environment, improvement of environmental factors that affect the health and safety of communities, prevention of accidents, and the reporting of unsafe or hazardous conditions. Jobs are found with environmental consulting agencies, private companies, international organizations, nonprofit organizations, governments, and schools.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutSomeCareersInEnvironmentalHealthAndSafety">Important facts about Some Careers in Environmental Health and Safety</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><th> </th><th> Occupational Health and Safety Specialist </th><th> Environmental Scientist </th><th> Environmental Science and Protection Technician</th></tr>
<tr><td> Required Education </td><td> Bachelor's degree </td><td> Bachelor's degree </td><td> Associate's degree</td></tr>
<tr><td>Key Skills</td><td> Detail oriented, physical stamina, communication skills</td><td> Analytical, problem-solving and interpersonal skills</td><td> Critical-thinking, analytical and interpersonal skills</td></tr>
<tr><td> Median Salary (2021) </td><td> $74,870 </td><td> $76,530 </td><td> $47,370</td></tr>
<tr><td> Job outlook (2021-2031) </td><td> 5% </td><td> 5%</td><td> 6%</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i>
</p><h3 id="section---Inspection">Inspection</h3><p>Jobs in environmental health and safety can involve inspecting environmental systems and making sure that they comply with the regulations in place. Tasks in this area can include reviewing permits, investigating complaints, and educating the public. Job titles may include:
</p><ul><li>Environmental compliance officer
</li><li>Food safety inspector
</li><li>Food safety specialist & product certification auditor
</li><li>Sanitation program & food safety manager
</li></ul><h3 id="section---Investigation">Investigation</h3><p>Jobs may involve inspecting public areas to ensure health and safety standards are met or conducting water quality sampling. In addition, jobs can include investigating air pollution and occupational health hazards or working with construction companies to evaluate plans and equipment. Careers in this area may include:
</p><ul><li>Hazardous waste specialist
</li><li>Chemical materials coordinator
</li><li>Sanitation director
</li><li>Retail environmental health and safety specialist
</li><li>Occupational safety and health specialist
</li><li>Industrial hygienist
</li><li>Air pollution analyst
</li></ul><h3 id="section---Government">Government</h3><p>Many jobs exist in this field in the government. Professionals may work to make the public more aware of certain issues or to draft and enforce public health and environmental laws. Government jobs generally are available on the local level in communities through to the national level working for organizations, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Specific job titles may include the following:
</p><ul><li>Toxicologist
</li><li>Emergency response specialist
</li><li>Director of environmental & industrial programs
</li><li>Environmental scientist
</li><li>Soil analyst
</li><li>Water quality analyst</li></ul>