Environmental health practitioner

Environmental health practitioners work to maintain, improve and promote public health. They protect us from environmental hazards at home, at work and in public places. They ensure the safety of our food, improve conditions for people living in inadequate housing, and ensure health and safety at work. They also monitor and control air, water, land and noise pollution.

Also known as:

Environmental health officers
Food safety officer
Public health officer

Work activities

Environmental health practitioners (EHPs) work to improve and promote public health and a healthy living environment. In local authorities, they might be called environmental health officers. EHPs also work for private organisations, making sure that they are complying with the law and safeguarding employees and customers. For example, they might work for an airline, a supermarket chain or a cruise ship company, improving the quality of food and hygiene.

Environmental health practitioners sometimes have to wear protective clothing, such as when they are visiting or working in food preparation or industrial premises or working in risk areas. EHPs in local authorities advise and educate the public and employers, to try to prevent problems from happening. They enforce the law when necessary, prosecuting employers who ignore regulations and minimum standards. EHPs must examine each case carefully, impartially and in detail. They must gather all the facts and keep careful notes; they might have to appear in court to give evidence.

EHPs working in smaller, rural local authorities might be involved in all areas of environmental health. In larger authorities, they are more likely to specialise in one area of the work.

Housing EHPs visit properties such as houses, flats, hotels and caravan sites. They identify poorly maintained properties, and hazards such as unclean sanitary facilities and inadequate access to escape routes in case of fire. They improve conditions for people living in old and unfit housing and in bedsits. For example, they make sure that landlords carry out all the necessary repairs and routine maintenance.

Food safety EHPs are responsible for the safety of food and drink products. They visit premises where food is prepared, processed, stored or sold, including factories and restaurants. EHPs conduct rigorous inspections of these properties, making sure that they comply with environmental health regulations. They have powers to close premises under certain circumstances where there is immediate risk to public health. They might take samples to laboratories to test for micro-organisms that can cause food poisoning, such as salmonella and E. Coli. Environmental health practitioners monitor outbreaks of these and other infectious diseases, tracing the source and advising on control measures. EHPs also promote healthy eating initiatives.

Health and safety EHPs work with the Health and Safety Executive to ensure health and safety in workplaces. They visit offices, shops, restaurants and leisure services, to identify and prevent health and safety hazards. For example, they check that ventilation, washing facilities and temperature controls are all adequate. They identify risks of accidents such as slips, trips and falls.

Environmental issues EHPs monitor and control environmental pollution, for example, air, noise, water and land pollution, using monitoring and analysis equipment. They investigate complaints about antisocial behaviour such as noisy neighbours. They also work with land developers, architects and construction companies when land is reclaimed or contaminated; for example, they might test land once used for industrial purposes, to make sure it is made free from contamination and fit to be a site for housing. Some EHPs are responsible for pest control, and investigate problems caused by rodents, birds and other creatures.

Personal qualities and skills

As an environmental health practitioner, you’ll need to be:

Committed to protecting the public’s health and safety.
Interested in science and its practical applications.
Determined and enthusiastic.
Confident DELETE.
Prepared to visit dirty or unpleasant places at times.

You should be able to:

Solve problems.
Work on your own and also as part of a team.
Use good communication and interpersonal skills.
Gather all the facts, keep careful notes, and assess the evidence logically and impartially.
Work well under pressure.
Use your initiative.
Pay attention to detail at all times.
Make firm decisions in difficult situations.
Enforce the law where necessary.
Explain safety procedures, regulations and requirements clearly and concisely to people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
Prioritise and manage a busy workload.
Use good written skills and IT skills for preparing reports.
You sometimes have to deal with people who are distressed or angry, so you’ll need a calm, professional manner to defuse potential confrontations.
You’ll need good negotiating skills, patience and tact, together with a sense of humour. You are likely to need a full driving licence.

Pay and opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate. Environmental health practitioners (EHPs) earn in the range of £27,000, rising to £40,000 a year.

Hours of work: EHPs usually work 35-40 hours a week, including some unsocial hours and occasional night and weekend duties.

Demand for qualified EHPs is high and is likely to grow.

Where could I work?

Employers are local authorities and firms in the private sector, such as hotel and catering organisations, food retailers and manufacturers. Opportunities for EHPs occur in towns and cities throughout the UK.

Self-employment opportunities occur for experienced EHPs to work independently as self-employed consultants to companies in industry and commerce.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised through the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and LGJobs websites, on specialist job boards and employers’ websites, in local/national newspapers and professional journals, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

A level 6 (degree) apprenticeship in the role of environmental health practitioner is a great way into this career path. You will carry out much of your training on the job, while also studying for a degree to support your work.

Currently, most people enter this career by gaining a degree or postgraduate qualification that is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH). Courses all include public health. There is also an option to follow the Accredited Associate route for people with certain other higher education (HE) or professional qualifications in, for example, housing, public health or food science.

The route to qualification involves academic study, work-based learning and practical training. Core skills include acquiring information, risk assessment, reflection and course of action. Full-time, part-time and distance learning MSc courses in Environmental Health are available for graduates with appropriate science degrees (BSc); these are listed on the CIEH website. All students complete a CIEH Portfolio of Professional Practice (PPP) during their work-based learning. The PPP covers food safety, health and safety, environmental protection, and housing and health, as well as public health. Students must also pass professional examinations and a professional interview. They then receive the Certificate of Registration. Registered environmental health practitioners need to undertake a specified amount of continuing professional development each year.

Environmental health practitioners can progress to senior and management posts in their organisation. Some experienced environmental health practitioners become self-employed.

Qualifications

For entry to a degree course that is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), the usual requirements are:

Two to three A-levels.
Five GCSEs at grades 9-4, including English, maths, and sciences.

To begin a degree apprenticeship, you will need two A-levels plus GCSEs in English and maths.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have a background in science, housing, health and safety, or food hygiene.

If you don’t have the usual qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree course, a college or university Access course, for example, Access to Science, leading to a Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) accredited degree, could be the way in. These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

Part-time study of an accredited degree or MSc may also be possible over a five- to six-year period, if you are already working as an environmental health technician or technical officer.

Related careers

Health and safety inspector
Recycling officer
Road safety officer
Safety adviser
Trading standards officer