Environmental Health Specialist Job Description Template

Environmental health specialists play a crucial role in protecting public health and safety. They are responsible for identifying and assessing potential environmental hazards, enforcing regulations, and implementing strategies to prevent and mitigate risks. As demand for professionals in this field continues to grow, recruiters need to have well-defined job descriptions to attract qualified candidates.

What Is an Environmental Health Specialist?

An environmental health specialist is a professional dedicated to ensuring public health by identifying, evaluating, and mitigating environmental risks that could impact human well-being. These specialists operate at the intersection of health and ecological sciences, monitoring factors such as air quality, water pollution, food safety, and hazardous waste management. Their role often involves conducting inspections, audits, and assessments to enforce health regulations and advise businesses and communities on best practices to minimize environmental threats. In addition, they work collaboratively with government agencies, industry, and the public to develop sustainable solutions that balance ecological integrity and human health while addressing emerging issues such as climate change and chemical exposures. Their work is critical in safeguarding communities and fostering environments conducive to healthy living.

Where to Find an Environmental Health Specialist?

• Specialized job boards and networks: Use industry-specific portals such as EHS Careers (which highlights EHS roles), the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Career Advantage board, and the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) Career Center.
• Professional associations & certifications: Look for candidates who hold credentials such as CSP, CIH, NEBOSH, or similar and participate in relevant professional networks, conferences, and training events.
• Universities and academic partnerships: Many entering professionals hold degrees in environmental health, public health, or occupational safety. Collaborate with university career centers or alumni networks to access emerging talent.
• Recruitment and staffing agencies specialized in EHS: These firms have existing candidate pipelines and understand the technical/regulatory niche.
• Referrals & internal sourcing: Ask your existing EHS, operations, or sustainability teams for candidate referrals. They often know peers in the field.
• Regional/local job boards (particularly in your country or region): If you are based in Thailand (for example), use local portals such as JobsDB, which lists many “environmental health” and “EHS” jobs.
• Social media/LinkedIn sourcing: Search for candidates with titles such as “Environmental Health Specialist,” “EHS Specialist,” and “Environmental Compliance Specialist,” and filter by certifications, sector experience, and regulatory exposure.

Environmental Health Specialist Job Description

We are seeking a proactive, technically skilled environmental health specialist to ensure our organization meets ecological and public health standards, protects worker and community health, and advances sustainable and safe operations. The ideal candidate will implement, monitor, and continuously improve environmental health programs in a dynamic operational environment.

Environmental Health Specialist Responsibilities:

• Conduct inspections and assessments of facilities, properties, and public areas to identify environmental health hazards, such as air and water pollution, hazardous waste, pests, food safety violations, and unsanitary conditions.
• Develop and implement strategies, policies, and programs to prevent, control, or eliminate environmental health hazards and risks.
• Conduct investigations and respond to complaints related to environmental health concerns, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
• Provide educational outreach and training to the public, businesses, and organizations on environmental health issues, promoting awareness and best practices.
• Collaborate with other agencies and departments to develop and enforce environmental health regulations, including permits, licenses, and certifications.
• Collect and analyze samples, data, and evidence to assess environmental health hazards, identify contamination, and evaluate the effectiveness of control measures.
• Prepare accurate and detailed reports, documentation, and recommendations based on findings from inspections, investigations, and research.
• Stay up-to-date on current environmental health regulations, policies, and practices, and actively participate in professional development activities to enhance knowledge and skills.
• Conduct risk assessments and guide emergency preparedness and response measures related to environmental health emergencies, such as outbreaks, natural disasters, or chemical spills.
• Collaborate with community members, organizations, and agencies to promote environmental justice and equity in addressing environmental health disparities.

Environmental Health Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in environmental health, public health, or a related field. A master's degree is preferred.
• Certification or licensure as an Environmental Health Specialist or eligibility to obtain certification within a specified timeframe.
• Relevant work experience in conducting environmental health inspections, investigations, or assessments.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal environmental health regulations and standards.
• Familiarity with relevant scientific principles, methodologies, and data analysis techniques.
• Proficiency in computer applications, including databases, spreadsheets, word processing, and presentation software.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to different sites for inspections and investigations.
• Strong understanding of public health principles and the ability to apply them in an environmental health context.
• Knowledge of emergency preparedness and response protocols and experience in managing environmental health emergencies.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends or evenings, as required.

Environmental Health Specialist Required Skills

• Strong knowledge of environmental health principles, regulations, and best practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with diverse stakeholders, including the public, officials, and other professionals.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities to identify and assess environmental health hazards and develop appropriate strategies for their management and control.
• Attention to detail and ability to conduct thorough investigations, inspections, and assessments.
• Proficiency in using specialized tools, equipment, and software for data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Time management and organizational skills to handle multiple tasks and prioritize work effectively.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders to achieve common goals.
• Flexibility and adaptability to respond to changing priorities, emergencies, and new developments in the field.
• Ethical and professional conduct, ensuring confidentiality and impartiality in dealing with sensitive information and situations.
• Knowledge of community engagement and education techniques to effectively communicate and empower individuals and communities in environmental health matters.

Challenges in Hiring an Environmental Health Specialist

• Talent shortage: Around 57% of companies are reporting difficulty filling EHS roles in 2025 due to retirements of experienced professionals, rising demands for digital/tech skills, and low overall awareness of the career path among younger workers
• Evolving skill-set requirements: The role is no longer solely about inspections and regulations; employers increasingly expect proficiency in digital tools, data analytics, IoT/AI-driven monitoring, ESG, and sustainability frameworks.
• Regulatory and environmental complexity: Rapid changes in ecological health regulations (local and global), and increasing public/stakeholder expectations mean the candidate must be adaptable and forward-thinking.
• Competition across sectors: Candidates with strong credentials are in demand not only in manufacturing and construction but also in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, and sustainability-driven sectors.
• Cultural fit and communication: Because this role involves interacting with management, operations, regulators, and non-technical staff, finding a candidate who can navigate both technical and soft-skill demands is challenging.
• Cost of turnover: Losing or failing to hire the right person can lead to major disruptions in compliance, safety culture, and financial risk (see cost section below).

How Much Does It Cost to Hire?

• Salary benchmarks: In the U.S., the average salary for an EHS (Environmental Health & Safety Specialist) is around US$73,000.
• A guide notes a typical U.S. salary range of US$60,000–100,000 depending on experience and industry.
• Replacement cost for an EHS professional can be 80-95% of annual salary when you include recruiting, onboarding, training, lost productivity, and risk of non-compliance.

Other costs to budget:

• Job advertising and recruiter fees
• Interviewing time (HR + hiring manager + technical panel)
• Psychometric/technical assessments
• Onboarding & training (often weeks/months before full productivity)
• Equipment, travel, and accommodation (if relocation)
• Opportunity cost of delayed hire (safety/compliance risk, lost production, audit shortcomings)

Conclusion

Hiring a well-qualified Environmental Health Specialist is a strategic investment in your organization’s safety, compliance, environmental performance, and sustainability reputation. Using the job description template above gives you a strong starting point for defining the role. Ensuring you use focused sourcing channels, anticipate the hiring challenges (talent shortages, tech/analytics demands, retention risk), and budget appropriately for salary and recruitment/turnover costs will help you make a more successful hire. Moreover, selecting a candidate who not only meets technical requirements but also fits your safety culture and future strategy will pay dividends in reduced risk and improved operational efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What should be included in an Environmental Health Specialist job description?

A: The job description should outline key responsibilities (inspections, compliance, risk assessment), required qualifications (degree, certifications), skills (regulatory knowledge, communication), and performance metrics (audit completion, incident trend reduction).

A: How do I distinguish between an Environmental Health Specialist and an Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist?

A: While overlap exists, an “Environmental Health Specialist” may focus more on public health, environmental hazards (water, air, food, waste), and regulatory compliance, whereas an “EHS Specialist” often emphasizes workplace safety, workers’ health, and occupational hazards. The job description helps clarify which focus your organization needs.

Q: Where can I post or advertise an Environmental Health Specialist job description to attract the right candidates?

A: Use specialized EHS job boards and professional association portals (e.g., EHS Careers, AIHA, BCSP), local/regional job boards, university networks, LinkedIn, and recruitment agencies specializing in safety/environment staffing.

Q: What are the major challenges in recruiting that should be reflected in the job description?

A: Challenges include talent scarcity, rising expectations for tech/data skills, strong competition across sectors, retention risk, and the need to integrate sustainability/regulatory demands. Reflecting growth opportunities, training support, and the organizational commitment to environmental health in your description helps attract talent.