Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Environmental Health Officer
💰 $65,000 - $95,000
Public HealthGovernmentEnvironmental ScienceComplianceRegulation
🎯 Role Definition
Join our team as a dedicated Environmental Health Officer (EHO) and become a cornerstone of community well-being. In this dynamic and critical role, you will be at the forefront of public health protection, responsible for monitoring, investigating, and enforcing a wide spectrum of health and environmental regulations. You will serve as the trusted expert on the ground, investigating complex issues from food safety breaches to pollution incidents, educating businesses and the public, and taking decisive action to mitigate risks. If you are a proactive problem-solver with a strong scientific background and a passion for public service, we invite you to apply for this rewarding opportunity to make a tangible, positive impact every single day.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Graduate / Trainee Environmental Health Officer
- Environmental Technician
- Public Health Assistant or Intern
Advancement To:
- Senior or Principal Environmental Health Officer
- Environmental Health Team Leader / Manager
- Head of Public Protection or Environmental Health
Lateral Moves:
- Health and Safety Manager
- Corporate Compliance Officer
- Food Safety Consultant / Auditor
- Environmental Policy Advisor
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Conduct comprehensive, risk-based inspections of food premises, including restaurants, manufacturers, and retailers, to ensure full compliance with national food safety and hygiene legislation.
- Lead thorough investigations into outbreaks of foodborne illness and other infectious diseases, including source tracing, interviewing affected individuals, and implementing robust control measures to prevent further spread.
- Enforce statutory housing standards by inspecting private and public rental properties for potential hazards, utilizing frameworks like the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) to ensure safe living conditions.
- Investigate and resolve a wide range of public health and statutory nuisance complaints, including issues related to noise, smoke, pests, odors, and improper waste accumulation.
- Monitor and ensure the quality and safety of private and public water supplies through routine sampling, analysis, and interpretation of results to protect consumers from waterborne risks.
- Regulate and issue permits for specified industrial processes and commercial activities to control emissions and prevent pollution of air, land, and water.
- Carry out health and safety audits and investigations of accidents in commercial workplaces to ensure compliance with occupational health and safety laws and prevent future incidents.
- Prepare and serve statutory notices, enforcement orders, and other legal documentation to address non-compliance and compel improvements in public health standards.
- Systematically collect evidence, compile detailed case files, and represent the organization in legal proceedings, including providing expert testimony in court when necessary.
- Review and provide expert commentary on planning and licensing applications from a public health and environmental protection perspective to mitigate future risks.
- Develop and deliver engaging health promotion campaigns, educational workshops, and advisory materials to the public and business communities on various environmental health topics.
- Participate actively in emergency response planning and execution for major public health incidents, such as chemical spills, disease pandemics, or natural disasters.
- Maintain precise, detailed, and contemporaneous records of all inspections, investigations, and enforcement actions using dedicated database and case management software.
- Assess and manage risks associated with contaminated land sites, providing technical advice on remediation strategies and development constraints.
- Conduct formal risk assessments to prioritize inspections, interventions, and resource allocation based on the potential for public health harm.
tumultuous. - Monitor recreational water facilities, including swimming pools, spas, and natural bathing waters, to ensure they meet required safety and quality standards.
- Undertake out-of-hours duties and respond to environmental health emergencies as part of a scheduled duty rota, providing critical support 24/7.
- Collaborate effectively with multi-agency partners, including national public health bodies, law enforcement, fire and rescue services, and other government agencies on complex cases.
- Provide mentorship, technical guidance, and on-the-job training to junior officers, students, and technical support staff to foster departmental growth and expertise.
- Lead and coordinate complex, high-profile investigations, managing the multi-agency response and serving as the primary point of contact for stakeholders and the media.
Secondary Functions
- Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory analysis related to public health trends, inspection outcomes, and environmental monitoring data.
- Contribute to the department's public health data strategy and the development of predictive risk models for prioritizing inspections and interventions.
- Collaborate with other departments, such as Planning, Housing, and Legal, to translate public health and environmental needs into actionable plans and policy requirements.
- Participate in team meetings, project planning sessions, and contribute to the continuous improvement of departmental processes, procedures, and service delivery.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Comprehensive knowledge and practical application of environmental health legislation (e.g., Public Health Acts, Food Safety Act, Environmental Protection Act).
- Proficiency in HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) principles and their application in food safety auditing.
- Competence in conducting Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) assessments to identify and rate property hazards.
- Expertise in using sound level monitoring equipment and applying acoustic assessment principles for noise nuisance investigations.
- Proven ability to conduct infectious disease outbreak investigations, including epidemiological analysis and control implementation.
- Skilled in environmental sampling and monitoring techniques for water, air, and soil, and interpretation of laboratory results.
- Mastery of statutory notice writing and the preparation of detailed case files for legal enforcement and prosecution.
- Strong ability to apply formal risk assessment and management methodologies to prioritize workloads and public health interventions.
- Proficiency with environmental health management software (e.g., Civica Cx, Northgate M3, Tascomi) for record keeping and reporting.
- Training and experience in evidence gathering and formal interviewing techniques (e.g., PACE - Police and Criminal Evidence Act).
Soft Skills
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex technical and legal information clearly to a diverse audience.
- Strong negotiation, persuasion, and conflict resolution abilities to achieve compliance and de-escalate confrontational situations.
- Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills to diagnose issues and develop effective, pragmatic solutions.
- High level of attention to detail and accuracy in observation, documentation, and reporting.
- Resilience and emotional intelligence to handle challenging, sensitive, and sometimes distressing situations.
- Impeccable ethical judgment and the ability to maintain impartiality and professionalism at all times.
- Confidence in public speaking and presenting information to community groups, businesses, and committees.
- Collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively within a team and with external partner agencies.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
A Bachelor's degree (or equivalent, such as a foundation degree or higher diploma) in Environmental Health from an accredited institution. Must be eligible for registration with the relevant professional body (e.g., CIEH, REHIS, EHB).
Preferred Education:
A Master's degree in Public Health (MPH), Environmental Management, or a related discipline. Chartered status as an Environmental Health Practitioner.
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Environmental Health
- Public Health
- Environmental Science
- Food Science and Technology
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range:
3-7+ years of post-qualification experience working as an Environmental Health Officer or in a similar regulatory role.
Preferred:
- Demonstrable experience managing a complex and varied caseload within a local government or public authority setting.
- Proven track record of leading enforcement actions, including preparing case files for prosecution and giving evidence in court.
- Experience covering the full remit of environmental health duties, including food safety, housing, pollution control, and health and safety.