Environmental health officer
Make sure the world around us is safe, healthy and hygienic. Protect people from pollution, unsafe food and pests.
About the job
What it's like
You would make sure that the places where people live, work and go for leisure and sport are safe, healthy and hygienic.
Your work would protect people from dangers like pollution, unsafe food and pests.
You could deal with a wide range of issues including:
food safety
environmental protection
pollution control
noise control
health and safety at work
waste management
housing standards
You might specialise in one of these areas, or you might deal with all environmental health issues in your local area or company. You could work in both the private and public sectors.
Depending on your specific job, you would:
inspect businesses to make sure they meet health and safety, food hygiene and food standards
follow up public complaints and investigate outbreaks of food poisoning, infectious disease or pests
collect samples for laboratory testing
enforce environmental health laws
investigate accidents at work
advise community groups and give educational talks
give evidence in cases that come to court
keep records and write reports
advise employers on all environmental health matters
You'd need to understand legislation and procedures and explain the requirements to the business you inspect.
You would work closely with environmental health officers from other areas as well as with government.
Green job
In this job you'll be doing work to help the environment. Find out more about green jobs.
Hours
You'd work between 35 and 39 hours per week, Monday to Friday, which may occasionally include evening or weekend work. Part-time work and job sharing may be available.
Environment
You'd have an office base, but would spend much of your time out in the workplace or visiting businesses and homes.
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- environmental health
- public health
- food law
- infectious diseases
- air quality
- noise control
- water quality
- communicable diseases
- foodborne illness
- criminal procedure
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- negotiating
- taking initiative
- attention to detail
- empathising
- researching
- problem solving
- written communication
- verbal communication
- listening
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Environmental Science
Science in the Environment
Skills for Work: Rural Skills
You need a honours degree (SCQF Level 10) or postgraduate qualification (SCQF Level 11) in Environmental Health accredited by Royal Environmental Health Institute Of Scotland (REHIS).
Once in a job, you'd need to complete structured professional practice training and pass REHIS professional exams to achieve the REHIS Diploma in Environmental Health, the qualification required to become an Environmental Health Officer.
To enter an Environmental Health degree requires Nationals and at least four Highers at BBBB (SCQF Level 6).
Entry to a postgraduate qualification usually requires an honours degree and may require relevant experience.
Qualifications and experience that show understanding rights and responsibilities, the ability to work with others and scientific and observational skills.
Employers may ask that you have a driving licence.
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