An environmental health officer (EHO) is a public health official who works to protect the public’s health. Some environmental health officers work for private companies, while others work for government organizations. Although the officer’s duties and responsibilities vary depending on where he or she works, the job always entails ensuring that people’s living and working environments are safe and healthy.
Environmental health officers are also known the titles of environmental health consultant, environmental health specialist, and public health officer. The majority of officers are employed local government agencies that are responsible for the public’s health and safety. EHOs can also work for large corporations, the military, or as freelance consultants. Environmental health officers frequently work in groups, with a team leader in charge.
Environmental health officers are responsible for a wide range of problems. Disease prevention, food safety, industrial hygiene, and emergency preparedness are some of the most common concerns they must address. They provide leadership, support, and services to a variety of public-safety programs. An environmental health officer may specialize in one area, such as food safety or injury prevention, or he may be responsible for all health issues in a specific geographic area.
These professionals create and implement public health and environmental laws and policies. They may conduct health inspections, investigate complaints of food contamination, conduct building code inspections, and investigate workplace accidents to monitor and enforce those laws. They must keep meticulous records, compile statistics, write reports, and testify in court cases involving health and environmental violations.
Responding to public health emergencies and natural disasters is one of an environmental health officer’s most visible responsibilities. Officers are expected to respond quickly and work to protect the public from threats to the environment and sanitation. They should also provide services to assist communities in the aftermath of a disaster.
Educating the public about various health issues is another aspect of an environmental health officer’s job. Officers may make presentations to schools, civic organizations, and community groups. They can help develop and disseminate educational materials on topics like disease prevention, workplace safety, hazardous waste management, and good health habits.
Environmental health officers work in a variety of fields, some of which are highly specialized. They might do epidemiological and biomedical research, or they might specialize in areas like counterterrorism, hazardous waste disposal, or health physics. Environmental health officers are typically highly trained and educated health professionals with extensive experience.