An educational institution that has programs in environmental health, teaches students the skills that they need to work in the environmental health field. There are many different job opportunities available for environmental health specialists. There are opportunities to work for colleges, environmental agencies, federal and state government agencies, hospitals, international organizations, non-profit organizations and private companies. Environmental health specialists help to protect the world's natural resources. They deal with issues concerning air quality, water quality, land resources, food, and health and safety issues. Common job duties for an environmental health specialist are: enforcing environmental regulations, evaluating the potential environmental effects of new construction, habitat restoration, inspecting businesses for environmental violations, investigating the source and spread of diseases, responding to public health threats, and overseeing environmental clean up after toxic spills. According to Health Careers Center, the environmental health specialist job market is expected to grow by ten to twenty percent by the year 2012.
The requirements for becoming an environmental health specialist varies depending on the area. In California, an environmental health specialist must be registered. To become a registered environmental health specialist in California, a person must obtain a bachelor's degree in science or environmental studies. After the person obtains their bachelor's degree, they must work as an environmental health specialist trainee for a city, county, state or federal environmental agency. After working as a trainee, the person is eligible to take the registered environmental health specialist exam. If the person passes, they can legally work in the state of California as an environmental health specialist. Not every state has a registration program, but most require that a person has at least a bachelor's degree in environmental science. In most states, including California, there are more job opportunities available to people who have a masters degree in environmental science.
The National Environmental Health Science & Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC) lists universities that offer degrees in environmental science. The National Institute of Environmental Health Services offers research training and fellowship opportunities. The National Environmental Health Association offers scholarships to qualified candidates.