Environmental Health Sciences
Job Description
Environmental health professionals carry out one of the most important jobs in the country. It is their responsibility to make sure that all the environmental risks in the country have been identified, assessed, and analyzed in an attempt to protect and improve public health.
Choosing a career in environmental health sciences can lead to a number of complex and multifaceted professions.
People who work in this sector are required to possess extensive knowledge on chemistry, biology, toxicology, engineering and other disciplines which are related to the protection and betterment of the environment.
Professionals of environmental health sciences work in close collaboration with geologists, biologists, meteorologists, physicians, engineers and physicists.
Careers in environmental health sciences include:
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Environmental Consultant
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Environmental Scientist
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Public Health Specialist
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Environmental Enforcement Officer
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Water Treatment Manager
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Toxicologist
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Occupational Health Specialist
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Wastewater Treatment Manager
People working in the environmental health sciences are individuals who love working in teams and are dedicated to help save the environment with scientific applications.
Responsibilities
Since environmental health sciences is an umbrella term that encompasses many specific job titles, the responsibilities can vary wildly.
However, these positions revolve around one particular goal: to investigate potential environmental health risks and address them.
Responsibilities these positions entail can include:
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Cleaning polluted areas
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Advising policymakers
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Reducing waste in a particular industry
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Organized and execute outreach campaigns to educate the public
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Research how environmental factors can impact human health
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Study the effects of chemicals on the environment
For specific responsibilities consult job listings for the position and/or company you're considering.
Skills
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Communication |
Must effectively communicate with your co-workers to ensure the best care and the proper procedures. Must be able to communicate in high-stress environments. |
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Active Listening |
Offering your full attention to an individual person or group in order to fully understand problems and their nature. |
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Critical Thinking |
Must use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. |
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Judgment and Decision Making |
Needs to be able to act autonomously and make difficult decisions that would benefit the patient or make corrections. Must consider all benefits and repercussions of potential actions and choose the appropriate one. |
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Complex Problem Solving |
Must be able to identify complex problems and develop and evaluate corrective options and implement solutions. |
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Stress Management |
Must be able to endure intense situations and handle pressure that comes with extreme situations you may encounter. |
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Trustworthiness |
Must be trustworthy because you have people's lives in your hands and what you do could help or hurt them. They are entrusted with a great responsibility and must live up to it. |
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Perceptiveness |
Gauging how people react and read their body language to decipher their feelings and predict their actions. They must be able to determine if people could be a risk to themselves or others and to distinguish truths from lies. |
Working Conditions
One of the most common career paths chosen is working for an environmental health related agency of the federal government such as National Center for Environmental Health.
Environmental health professionals usually work normal business hours, but are expected to be available beyond their working schedule should an emergency arise.
Salary Outlook
| Estimated Annual Salary | Average Hourly Wage | Positions Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| $72,050.00 | $34.64 | 95,000 |