How to Be Environmental Health Scientist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jan 5, 2023 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

Air pollution is one of the most serious environmental health threats today. It is caused by a variety of sources, including motor vehicles, factories, and power plants that emit hazardous pollutants into the air. These pollutants can cause a range of health problems, including respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and increased mortality rates.

Exposure to air pollution can also lead to the development of asthma and other allergic diseases in children. In addition, air pollution can lead to climate change, resulting in extreme weather events, such as heat waves and floods, which can have a devastating impact on human health.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. Earning a bachelor's degree in environmental health is the first step to becoming an environmental health scientist. Programs in this field usually require students to take courses in chemistry, biochemistry, geology, and microbiology, as well as courses in environmental health.
Obtain Certification. Though not required, obtaining certification from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) can increase job prospects and earning potential. To become certified, an individual must have at least two years of qualifying work experience and pass an examination.
Pursue Graduate Education. Many environmental health scientists have a master's degree in public health, environmental health science, or a related field. Graduate degrees can also provide access to higher-level positions in the field.
Participate in Research. Research experience is helpful for aspiring environmental health scientists. This can include working with faculty on research projects or obtaining an internship with a research laboratory.
Gain Work Experience. Obtaining work experience in the field is the best way to prepare for a career as an environmental health scientist. This can include working in the field of environmental protection or in laboratory settings.

The success of a Environmental Health Scientist depends on a variety of skills and attributes that must be developed and honed in order to effectively protect the public health. Those who are proficient in their field must have a thorough understanding of the principles of health and safety science, as well as the ability to analyze data and identify potential risks. They must also possess strong communication skills to be able to effectively communicate the results of their research with others, and have a strong commitment to public health and safety. With the proper training, knowledge and experience, an Environmental Health Scientist can become a highly skilled and efficient professional, helping to ensure the safety of the environment and public health.

You may want to check Process Chemist, Analytical Chemist/Biochemist, and Fermentation Scientist for alternative.

Job Description

Environmental Health Scientist Responsible for researching, analyzing, and evaluating environmental health data, identifying trends, and formulating recommendations to protect the public from environmental hazards.
Industrial Hygienist Conducts surveys and assessments of industrial environments to identify and control possible hazardous exposures to workers and the public.
Environmental Analyst Collects and evaluates data from environmental sampling and measurements to determine the proper course of action to protect human health and the environment.
Environmental Engineer Designs, develops, and implements systems and technologies to protect the environment from hazardous waste and contamination.
Environmental Inspector Inspects facilities for compliance with environmental regulations to ensure a safe and healthy environment.
Environmental Policy Analyst Analyzes current laws and regulations pertaining to environmental protection and makes recommendations for improvement.
Environmental Educator Develops and implements educational programs to raise public awareness of environmental issues and promote sustainability.
Environmental Technician Collects samples of air, water, soil, or other materials for analysis to detect the presence of contaminants or pollutants.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of basic principles of environmental health, including toxicology, epidemiology, and risk assessment.
Ability to conduct and interpret data analysis.
Familiarity with relevant regulations and policies in the field of environmental health.
Proficiency in the use of statistical software packages.
Knowledge of laboratory safety protocols and procedures.
Understanding of public health research methods and techniques.
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to identify and analyze environmental health problems and develop solutions.
Understanding of environmental health issues related to air, water, and soil contamination.
Knowledge of legal principles related to environmental health and safety.

Environmental health scientists are vital to the health of our environment. They are responsible for understanding the impact of pollutants and other hazards on the environment and human health. Their work helps us to identify, control, and manage risks to our health and the environment.

They are also experts in environmental law, policy, and regulations, and use their skills to develop and enforce regulations that protect the environment and the publics health. Environmental health scientists must have a strong scientific background, including knowledge of biology, chemistry, toxicology, epidemiology, ecology, statistics, risk assessment, and public health. They must also possess excellent communication skills to effectively present their research findings to the public, as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Lastly, they must also have a comprehensive understanding of the legal and policy aspects of environmental protection. Through their work, environmental health scientists are constantly striving to protect our environment and promote healthy living.

Analytical Chemist Technician, Industrial Biochemist, and Bioremediation Scientist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in environmental health science?
How would you describe your research methods and techniques?
What challenges have you encountered in environmental health science?
What have you done to ensure compliance with environmental health regulations?
How do you stay up to date on new developments in the field?
What strategies do you use to identify and address potential health hazards?
How do you ensure safety of people and the environment during your work?
What strategies have you used to promote public health awareness?
How do you collaborate with other professionals in the field to develop solutions to environmental health issues?
How have you incorporated technology into your work to improve efficiency or accuracy?

Common Tools in Industry

Air Quality Monitor. Used to measure the concentration of pollutants in the air. (e. g. particulate matter, ozone, etc. )
Water Quality Monitor. Used to measure the concentration of contaminants in water sources. (e. g. bacteria, metals, etc. )
Environmental Sampling Kit. Used to collect samples from the environment for testing. (e. g. soil, sediment, dust, etc. )
Geographic Information System (GIS). Used to map, analyze and visualize geographic data. (e. g. land use, population density, etc. )
Risk Assessment Software. Used to identify and evaluate potential environmental risks. (e. g. air emissions, hazardous waste, etc. )
Statistical Software. Used to analyze environmental data and generate reports. (e. g. Excel, SPSS, SAS, etc. )
Data Management Software. Used to store and manage large amounts of environmental data. (e. g. databases, spreadsheets, etc. )
Remote Sensing Equipment. Used to collect information about the environment without direct contact. (e. g. cameras, drones, satellites, etc. )
Laboratory Equipment. Used to analyze environmental samples in a lab setting. (e. g. microscopes, spectrometers, chromatographs, etc. )
Environmental Modeling Software. Used to simulate and predict environmental outcomes. (e. g. climate change, land use change, etc. )

Professional Organizations to Know

American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)
American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES)
International Society of Exposure Science (ISES)
Society for Risk Analysis (SRA)
International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH)
International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ)
International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE)
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
Environmental Information Association (EIA)

We also have Bioprocess Engineer, Environmental Toxicologist, and Biophysical Chemist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Toxicology. The study of the adverse effects of chemical, physical, and biological agents on living organisms.
Epidemiology. The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to control health problems.
Risk Assessment. An evaluation of the potential risks posed by a hazard to human health, the environment, or both.
Hazardous Materials Management. The process of handling, storing, and disposing of hazardous materials in a safe and responsible manner.
Environmental Impact Assessment. A systematic process used to identify, analyze, and evaluate the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project or activity.
Industrial Hygiene. The practice of recognizing, evaluating, and controlling workplace hazards that can cause illness, injury, or death.
Air Quality Management. The process of controlling air pollution through the implementation of regulations and other measures.
Waste Management. The process of collecting, transporting, and disposing of waste materials safely and responsibly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Environmental Health Scientist?

An Environmental Health Scientist is a professional who studies the relationships between human health and the environment, and develops strategies to improve public health.

What kind of educational background is required to become an Environmental Health Scientist?

Environmental Health Scientists typically have at least a Bachelor's degree in environmental science, public health, or a related field. Some may also have a Master's degree or higher in environmental health or a related field.

What are some of the tasks performed by an Environmental Health Scientist?

Environmental Health Scientists are responsible for researching and evaluating environmental factors that may have an impact on human health. They also develop strategies to reduce or eliminate risks to public health, such as developing regulations and policies for environmental protection.

What organizations employ Environmental Health Scientists?

Environmental Health Scientists are employed by governmental agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as private organizations with an interest in public health and environmental protection.

What is the average salary of an Environmental Health Scientist?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for Environmental Health Scientists in 2019 was $71,130 per year.

Web Resources

Environmental Health Science - College of Public Health UGA publichealth.uga.edu
Environmental Health Sciences | University of South Carolina www.sc.edu
Environmental Health Sciences | School of Public Health ... - UMass www.umass.edu