Health Careers
Environmental Health Specialist
Professional Activities
Environmental Health Specialists (EHS) work to identify conditions that can make people sick or injured, and then take steps to eliminate or minimize these undesirable conditions. The EHS works with a variety of environmental media such as food, water, and air to reduce human morbidity and mortality. There is also a strong focus on hazardous materials management, vector and pest control, and communicable disease prevention. Many environmental health professionals spend their days conducting surveys, performing research, and providing education on various environmental health related topics. Some specialized environmental health professionals work in hospitals or industrial settings to help ensure a safe environment.
Working as an EHS is a challenging and rewarding career, and working in rural Alaska offers many unique challenges. The remote arctic setting offers a variety of opportunities for one to make measurable improvements. Individuals who choose a career in environmental health science are making a decision to spend their life creating a healthier world for others to live in.
Environmental Health Specialists work in a variety of settings including government agencies, public health departments, universities and private industry, including hospitals. In Alaska they also work for the Indian Health Service and tribal health organizations.
Educational Requirements
- Graduation from a high school with strong college preparatory background, especially in math and science.
- Completion of a four-year bachelor’s degree in environmental health science.
- Successful completion of the National Environmental Health Association’s Registered Environmental Health Specialist exam. This is normally accomplished shortly after the individual has graduated college and has had an opportunity to gain some work experience.
- Many environmental health specialists go on to complete a master’s degree in public health or environmental health.
Academic Programs
A list of accredited undergraduate and graduate schools can be obtained at:
The National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC)
2632 SE 25th Ave, Ste D
Portland, OR 97202
Phone: (503) 235-6047
Fax: (503) 235-7300
Email:
Web site: http://www.ehacoffice.org/
Contacts
State Contacts:
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
Division of Environmental Health
555 Cordova Street
Anchorage, AK 99501-2617
Phone: (907) 269-7644
Web site: http://www.dec.state.ak.us/eh/
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
Division of Environmental Health and Engineering
1901 S. Bragaw Street, Suite 200
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone: (800) 560-8637
Web site: http://www.anthc.org/cs/dehe/
National Contact:
National Environmental Health Association
720 S. Colorado Blvd, Ste 1000-N
Denver, CO 80246-1925
Phone: (303) 756-9090
Fax: (303) 691-9490
Email:
Web site: http://www.neha.org
This page was last updated by Janice Troyer on August 14, 2007
