As an environmental health professional, sometimes described as an officer or adviser, you'll use your scientific and legal knowledge to make sure the environment is safe to live and work in. Learn more about the industry, the available opportunities and what you'll need to study to succeed.
Working as an environmental health professional can involve the study of any part of the human or natural environment. You could work in environmental protection, waste management, food standards, public health, workplace health and safety, and housing. Your work can be desk-based or in outdoor environments.
In these roles you'll typically visit indoor or outdoor sites, using a scientific approach to judge the health or safety of an environment. If needed, you'll use your technical abilities and people skills to investigate any violations of the rules. You'll have the satisfaction of protecting people and the environment, but you might experience challenging environments or conflict with other people.
Daily tasks will vary but could involve:
The average salary for an environmental health professional in the UK is £35,360. Graduates start at around £22,500.
Environmental health professionals travel often within the UK, visiting different premises throughout the week. International travel is less common in these roles but there may be opportunities to work abroad.
You can work from an office or at home depending on your employer.
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