2483 — Environmental health professionals

What this occupation covers

Environmental health professionals use specialist technical skills and knowledge to protect people from health risks associated with the environment in which they live and work. They maintain and safeguard standards, including taking legal action to enforce relevant legislation with regard to public health policy.

Typical duties

inspects businesses for compliance with legislation on health and safety, food hygiene and food standards and takes appropriate action in the event of non-compliance

follows up complaints of unsafe workplaces, investigating accidents

investigates outbreaks of food poisoning, infectious diseases or pests

monitors radiation activity, levels of noise, air, land and water pollution and takes appropriate action when safety levels are exceeded

ensures animal welfare for compliance with legislation, issues licences for premises such as pet shops, zoos and abattoirs

gives talks at public enquiries and meetings, ensures compliance through education, advice and enforcement

initiates legal proceedings and gives evidence in court

Entry routes and qualifications

Entrants normally require a degree accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) or the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS). To gain chartered status an additional period of work experience is required or successful completion of the CIEH's chartered practitioner programme.

Sponsorship information

Higher Skilled. Actual duties, sponsor, applicant, salary and any transitional or shortage-list conditions must be checked.

Full Table 1 going rate: £40,900 at 37.5 hours. The applicable salary requirement can differ: use the calculator.

DBS assessment

No code-wide DBS assessment is assigned. Check actual duties, activities, workplace, frequency and jurisdiction. This code does not determine the level of check.

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