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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for an Environmental Health Analyst

💰 $65,000 - $95,000

Public HealthEnvironmental ScienceData AnalysisGovernment

🎯 Role Definition

As an Environmental Health Analyst, you are the crucial link between environmental data and public health protection. You will be responsible for investigating and analyzing the impact of environmental factors—such as air and water quality, hazardous waste, and climate change—on human health. This role requires a sharp analytical mind to collect, manage, and interpret complex datasets, identify potential health risks, and communicate findings to policymakers, community leaders, and the public. You will be instrumental in developing data-driven strategies, shaping public health policies, and implementing programs that safeguard our communities and create healthier environments for everyone.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Environmental Health Specialist
  • Public Health Research Assistant
  • Data Analyst (in a related field)

Advancement To:

  • Senior Environmental Health Analyst / Environmental Epidemiologist
  • Public Health Program Manager
  • Environmental Health Policy Advisor

Lateral Moves:

  • GIS Specialist (Public Health Focus)
  • Data Scientist (Health & Environmental Sector)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct comprehensive epidemiological analyses using large, complex datasets to investigate associations between environmental exposures and human health outcomes.
  • Design, develop, and maintain environmental health surveillance systems to monitor public health trends, track environment-related diseases, and identify emerging threats.
  • Perform quantitative environmental health risk assessments to characterize potential health effects from exposure to chemical, biological, and physical agents in air, water, soil, and food.
  • Utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to perform spatial analyses, create exposure maps, and visualize the geographic distribution of environmental hazards and health outcomes.
  • Manage, clean, and merge large, disparate data sources, including environmental monitoring data, electronic health records, census data, and vital statistics for analysis.
  • Prepare detailed technical reports, scientific manuscripts, and policy briefs summarizing research findings, risk assessments, and program evaluations for diverse audiences.
  • Communicate complex scientific and statistical findings clearly and effectively to non-technical stakeholders, including community groups, government officials, and the media.
  • Develop and evaluate public health intervention strategies and programs aimed at reducing or preventing exposure to environmental hazards.
  • Respond to public health emergencies and environmental incidents by providing rapid data analysis, risk communication, and technical expertise to support response efforts.
  • Review and interpret federal, state, and local environmental health regulations (e.g., Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water Act) to ensure program compliance and inform policy.
  • Design and implement data collection instruments, such as surveys and questionnaires, to gather primary data on environmental exposures and health status.
  • Analyze data using statistical software packages such as SAS, R, or Stata to perform descriptive and inferential statistics, modeling, and time-series analysis.
  • Provide technical assistance and training to local health departments, other agencies, and community partners on environmental health data, methods, and tools.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of toxicologists, epidemiologists, engineers, and policy experts on cross-functional projects and research initiatives.
  • Author grant proposals to secure funding for new and ongoing environmental health research projects and surveillance activities.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to answer pressing questions from leadership and stakeholders.
  • Contribute to the organization's data governance strategy and roadmap by promoting data quality, integrity, and accessibility.
  • Collaborate with IT and data engineering teams to translate public health data needs into technical requirements for data warehouses and analytics platforms.
  • Participate in sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and other agile ceremonies as part of a data-focused project team.
  • Stay current on emerging methods in environmental epidemiology, biostatistics, and data science through literature review and professional development.
  • Represent the agency or organization at professional conferences, workshops, and inter-agency meetings to present findings and build collaborative networks.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Statistical Programming: Proficiency in statistical software such as R, SAS, or Stata for data manipulation, modeling, and analysis.
  • GIS Software: Expertise in using geographic information systems like ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, or similar platforms for spatial analysis and cartography.
  • Database Management: Strong skills in querying databases using SQL to extract, join, and aggregate data from various sources.
  • Data Visualization: Ability to create compelling and informative charts, graphs, and dashboards using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or R packages (e.g., ggplot2).
  • Environmental Science Knowledge: Deep understanding of environmental health principles, toxicology, exposure science, and major environmental media (air, water, soil).
  • Epidemiological Methods: Solid foundation in study design, biostatistics, surveillance, and causal inference.
  • Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with key environmental laws and regulations (e.g., NEPA, CERCLA, CAA, CWA).

Soft Skills

  • Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: Ability to deconstruct complex problems, evaluate evidence, and develop logical, data-driven solutions.
  • Scientific Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to convey technical information accurately and persuasively to both expert and lay audiences.
  • Collaboration & Teamwork: Proven ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams and build strong relationships with internal and external partners.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to data management, analysis, and reporting to ensure accuracy and reliability of findings.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

  • A Master's Degree in Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Epidemiology or Environmental Health, or a Master of Science (MS) in a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Public Health
  • Environmental Science
  • Epidemiology
  • Biostatistics
  • Toxicology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2-5 years of professional experience in environmental health, public health, epidemiology, or a closely related data analysis field.

Preferred: Direct experience working for a state or local public health department or an environmental protection agency, involving hands-on analysis of health and environmental data.

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