Careers in Environmental Health
- Disaster Management Specialist
- Epidemiologist
- Environmental Toxicologist
- Environmental Health And Safety Specialist
- Air Pollution Analyst
Environmental health jobs are often cited in reports after a major disaster has occurred, such as a hurricane or a chemical spill, but few people realize the various positions available in the industry. From teaching the public about how the environment can play a role in the spread of human disease to checking air pollution levels in major cities across the country, these professionals are necessary as environmental concerns mount, according to Business Insider. Here are just five unique jobs in this field to consider.
1. Disaster Management Specialist
Disaster management specialists are necessary for the environmental health industry. These are professionals that are often deployed in the field after a major disaster occurs. However, their most important role is devising plans that help mitigate disasters before they occur. This allows local, state, and federal governments to plan for any type of situation that would negatively impact the community. These specialists are responsible for planning for environmental hazards, setting up evacuation routes, planning for added medical assistance, and more.
2. Epidemiologist
An epidemiologist is a professional who delves into the causes of disease. In the field of environmental health, their work is often regulated by environmental factors. This profession requires a lot of fieldwork and investigation, often leading to the creation of reports or the development of new systems and procedures, to help population health experts manage the environmental factors that may be a cause for concern for their communities. Epidemiologists often work for government agencies, most notably the Centers for Disease Control, although local and state positions are also widely available.
3. Environmental Toxicologist
An environmental toxicologist works with toxins that can be found both in biological or manufactured products. Their role is to analyze these toxins and how they can affect humans and animals at various stages of development. Most of the work done by these toxicologists take place in labs or in the field, but nearly all analysis is done in a lab. These professionals can work in nearly every sector, but are prevalent in the STEM and business sectors. They are also employed by pharmaceutical and agricultural corporations. Toxicologists often are the ones to spot toxicological issues and can suggest a solution.
4. Environmental Health And Safety Specialist
This professional works in the manufacturing, tech, construction, business, and government industries. Environmental health and safety specialists work to create and enforce health and safety policies that relate directly to the environment. This can take on the form of both protecting the environment and any workers that focus on chemical or other biological agents as part of their position within their company. These specialists not only work to ensure their employers adhere to the policies, they may also report violations and alert authorities if an accident has taken place. This career path is currently experiencing a faster-than-average job growth rate, with the outlook steady at 11 percent through 2026, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
5. Air Pollution Analyst
An air pollution analyst is a specialized field within environmental health that focuses solely on data pertaining to air pollution. Many of these analysts are employed by both private and public companies who have concerns about air pollution, mainly with how air pollution may affect their employees and the surrounding community. Analysts tend to work mostly with data in a lab, but many also do field work, testing different sites for air pollution. When finished in the field, they analyze the results and write reports based on their findings. If a violation occurs, or if a policy is not in place that the analysts believe should be in place, they can suggest options so further pollution can be mitigated.
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Public health professionals are critical when focusing on population health, and so too are environmental professionals. Because nature can be its own destructive force, it’s important to learn about the different aspects of this growing industry. Environmental health jobs will only become more in-demand as the United States utilizes more technology in its various sectors, so those who are seeking a career in this field are encouraged to do so now.