Environmental Health Practitioner Job Description

Environmental Health Practitioner Duties and Responsibilities

Environmental Health Practitioner job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

• Carrying out routine or unplanned visits and inspections to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation and taking action to improve conditions;
• Providing advice and assistance to householders and businesses;
• Investigating complaints from the general public;
• Ensuring the health and welfare of animal livestock on farms and other premises, as well as during transportation;
• Issuing licences for pet shops and other animal-related businesses;
• Advising on planning and licensing applications;
• Carrying out food hygiene and food standards inspections;
• Investigating accidents at work and complaints about poor standards of health and safety, as well as identifying areas of negligence;
• Monitoring levels of noise, air, land and water pollution;
• Advising on health and safety issues in relation to new buildings and developments;
• Arranging for removal of abandoned vehicles and refuse.
• Giving talks at public enquiries, meetings and exhibitions, as well as ensuring compliance through education, advice and enforcement;
• Investigating outbreaks of infectious disease and preventing it spreading any further;
• Taking water samples to maintain and improve standards in public swimming and bathing areas as well as private water supplies;
• Taking enforcement action, initiating legal proceedings, preparing and giving evidence in court;
• Taking photos, producing drawings, removing samples and conducting interviews as part of the inspection process;
• Monitoring radiation activity, taking action when safety levels have been exceeded;

Environmental Health Practitioner Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Environmental Health Practitioner job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

• A degree in Environmental health or a scientific field of study like chemistry, geology or environmental engineering.
• Work experience
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Confidence in dealing with the public
• A methodical, careful approach to gathering facts and assessing evidence
• The ability to work to tight deadlines and under pressure
• Good time-management and organisational skills, including being able to manage your own workload well
• Self-motivation
• A flexible approach to work
• IT skills
• Good report-writing skills
• A strong scientific ability and technical understanding
• The ability to be assertive, diplomatic and sensitive to other people's views
• Good decision-making skills
• The ability to work independently and as a member of a team

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Environmental Health Practitioner starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Environmental Health Practitioner job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of an Environmental Health Practitioner may also reference it in preparation for the interview.