How to become an environmental health officer

Environmental health officers develop, implement and enforce health policies through a mix of technical skills, knowledge and practical implementation.

You’ll visit and inspect businesses to ensure that they’re operating within the guidelines of safety, hygiene and health. Where non-compliance is identified, you’ll offer guidance or carry out further action where necessary.

To become an environmental health officer, you’ll need a relevant degree approved by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).

Opportunities also exist through degree apprenticeship programmes.

• Undergraduate degrees – you’ll need a degree in Environmental Health, which is approved by the CIEH. You could also apply to an environmental health practitioner degree apprenticeship scheme – these are usually four-year programmes which include a mix of academic study and on-the-job training.
• Postgraduate studies – as a postgraduate with a related science-based degree, you could access EHO careers through an accredited postgraduate course.

What does an environmental health officer do?

An environmental health officer ensures that members of the public and company employees can live and work in safe and healthy environments.

They do this by enforcing compliance with food safety and hygiene, health and safety and environmental legislation – usually through inspecting businesses or responding to queries and complaints from employees or members of the public.

Environmental health management is a varied career split into a number of disciplines. Some environmental health officers will choose to focus on one area, where others will operate within large multi-disciplined teams. You might be employed by, for example, a local authority, the Environment Agency, the Health and Safety Executive, the NHS or private companies. The five main environmental health disciplines are:

• Food hygiene and safety – a large percentage of your time is likely to be spent inspecting and grading hospitality and food retail businesses under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. This normally involves unannounced visits to businesses to get a true sense of how they operate. You’ll produce a report and you’ll offer advice on any issues that need to be resolved or carry out enforcement action in extreme cases. You might also be involved in investigating cases of pest infestation, severe allergic reactions, or foodborne illnesses. This will include interviewing complainants and others, taking samples for laboratory testing, writing reports and making recommendations for any actions required.
• Health and safety – you’ll carry out regular inspections at businesses and other organisations to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation. You’ll produce reports, advise and follow-up on any identified issues. You’ll respond to workplace health and safety complaints and investigate accidents and other dangerous incidents.
• Public health – your role will be focussed on areas of public health including smoking, obesity, mental health and infectious diseases. Much of your time will be spent working with other health professionals to promote the importance of public health through education programmes and awareness campaigns. You’ll inspect and register establishments which carry out, for example, piercings, tattooing and acupuncture. A key part of the role is to investigate potential outbreaks of infectious diseases and recommending actions to protect the public.
• Environmental protection – you’ll enforce legislation around areas such as nuisance (light, smell and noise), air quality, pollution, contaminated land, water quality, planning and waste management. This will include regular business inspections, responding to complaints and queries and educating the public and businesses.
• Housing – you’ll be responsible for the extremely important task of ensuring that people’s housing conditions are safe and fit for habitation. This will involve inspecting and monitoring rented properties to ensure that landlords are complying with regulations, offering advice and education and carrying out enforcement action where necessary. You’ll also be involved in licensing certain types of properties e.g. houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

What are the typical working hours for an environmental health officer?

Usually 9am - 5pm, although the nature of the role might require occasional evening or weekend work.