Utilize your knowledge of natural science to protect the environment and to enhance public health.
Public health environmental specialists, also known as environmental scientists, utilize their knowledge of natural science to protect the environment and to enhance public health simultaneously. These specialists find problems and solutions that reduce hazards to the population and to the environment.
For instance, many environmental specialists will work to reclaim waters and lands that were contaminated by pollution years ago. Others will try to assess what risks new construction projects pose to the environment, and then make recommendations to businesses and governments on how to reduce the environmental effects. These scientists also may work with local populations in public health to teach them how to reduce their environmental impact on local waterways, and to reduce possibility of disease as well.
Public Health Environmental Specialist Degree
Most environmental specialists and scientists have a bachelor’s degree in environmental science or in chemistry, biology or the geosciences. However, you will need to earn a master’s degree to move higher in the field. A master’s degree in public health, or MPH, is an excellent choice for environmental scientists working in areas that affect public health.
An environmental science degree will study chemistry, biology, geology and physics. Some students may take classes in waste management, hydrology and fluid mechanics, too. You may want to take some classes in environmental policy and regulation as well.
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An introduction to what’s cool and what’s important about environmental health science.
Public Health Environmental Specialist Skills and Qualifications
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Analytical skills
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Interpersonal skills
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Problem solving skills
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Speaking skills
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Writing skills
Public Health Environmental Specialist Salary
Indeed.com states that the median salary in this field is $52,000. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the median wage in the field is $61,700, and the top 10% earn $107,000 per year, which is most commonly for environmental specialists who have a master’s degree.
Public Health Environmental Specialist Employment Outlook
The employment of public health environmental specialists is expected to increase 19% by 2020, which is about fast as average when compared to other occupations. It is expected that increasing public interest in environmental hazards and other demands on the environment due to population growth, will increase the demand in the field.
Also, public health awareness is increasing, as governments become more aware of the fact that disease prevention is more cost effective than disease treatment.So, there are more environmental professionals being employed in the public health field as well.
Some of the employment growth for environmental scientists and specialists is thought to be in private industry, such as in consulting, where you would help clients monitor and manage environmental problems.
Associations
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National Association of Environmental Professionals: This is a large national association that represents the interests of professionals who are dedicated to environmental science.
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Water Environment Federation: A national organization that works for improving water quality.
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Association for Environmental Studies and Science: A national association of scholars who are devoted to environmental science and protection.
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American Public Health Association: This is the largest and oldest public health association in the US, and represents the interests of all professionals who work in public health.
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Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors: An organization of professors in academic programs all through the world who are dedicated to environmental protection.
Additional Resources
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Science Daily: Daily news related to environmental health and science.
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Environmental Science and Technology: A journal dedicated to environmental science.
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World Health Organization: WHO has many resources and a great deal of information and programs pertaining to environmental science.
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