Career of an Environmental Health Officer

How to become an Environmental Health Officer

Our environment and lifestyle affects our health: the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, our homes and workplaces can all have an influence on our state of health. Environmental Health Practitioners play an important role in private industry and in the State sector in ensuring that proper standards are achieved. They do this through advice, education, monitoring and regulation.

To become an Environmental Health Officer it is necessary to hold a qualification approved by the Department of Health & Children. The four main grades at which recruitment is made to this post by the Health Service are at Basic Grade, Senior Grade, Principal Grade and Chief Grade. Appointments to these posts are made by the Health Service Executive and all vacancies are advertised in the National Press.

Getting qualified
Becoming qualified as an Environmental Health Officer involves both academic study and practical training.

The Dublin Institute of Technology at Cathal Brugha Street runs a degree in Environmental Health. This 4-year full-time course leads to the award of B.Sc. in Environmental Health. In addition to college studies, students spend periods working in approved industrial placements and with the health service executive experiencing professional practice.

More information about the course is available here.

For information about D.I.T. admissions, click here.

Students on this programme gain experience of examining issues such as food safety, environmental pollution, occupational safety and health risk management through lectures, laboratories, studio work, field visits and professional work placement.

Honours Degree Level 8 Course: DT491
The duration of this programme is 4 years full-time.

Course Outline:
The programme is delivered in a modular manner; the major areas of study include:

Year One:
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Built Environment, Environmental Health, Data Management, Microbiology and Organic Chemistry.

Year Two:
Food Sciences, Environmental Science, Built Environment, Environmental Health Practice, Environmental Health Risk, Food Chemistry, Food Technology and Environmental Health Management.

Year Three:
Food Safety, Food Technology, Environmental Health, Environmental Health Management, Environmental Health Professional Studies, Environmental Management, Built Environment and Professional Practice.

Year Four:
Food Safety Management, Safety Management and Emergency Planning, Environmental Health Management, Built Environment, Environmental Management Systems and Legislation, Dissertation and Elective.

Progression:
Students who have reached the appropriate honours standards may have access to a range of Masters Degrees in Higher Education.

There is an active post-graduate training programme including Diploma and M.Sc. Courses in Environmental Science, Environmental Protection, Environmental Health, Community Health, Occupation Health, Health and Safety and Food Science at various centres throughout the country.

Contact:
DIT, Cathal Brugha Street,
University of Ulster, Jordanstown,
University College, Dubllin
University College, Galway,
Sligo R.T.C.
University of Limerick.

The University of Ulster also runs a B. Sc. Course in Environmental Health in Jordanstown. For further information please refer to: http://prospectus.ulster.ac.uk/course/?id=6387

Career Opportunities

Graduates are eligible for appointment as EHOs by the Health Service Executive and may seek employment in other state authorities dealing with Food Safety, Health Promotion and Environmental Protection. Graduates may also work in private industry in areas such as food control, environmental management and quality assurance. There are also varied research opportunities available to graduates of this programme.

Graduates are currently working in the following sectors:

Health and Safety; Food Safety/Technology; Environmental Management; Environmental Pollution.
Graduates are also employed in other Public Bodies:  Food Safety Authority of Ireland; Office of Tobacco Control; Sea Fisheries Protection Agency; Department of Health & Children; Local Authorities.