What Do Health Environmental Scientists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Health Environmental Scientists conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or the health of the population. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources. They also provide scientific or technical guidance, support, coordination, or oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.

Other tasks include:

• Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
• Collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.
• Analyze data to determine validity, quality, and scientific significance and to interpret correlations between human activities and environmental effects.
• Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
• Develop the technical portions of legal documents, administrative orders, or consent decrees.
• Provide advice on proper standards and regulations or the development of policies, strategies, or codes of practice for environmental management.

We asked Health Environmental Scientists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

70% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 65% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Health Environmental Scientists review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements. They collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.

• Conduct applied research on environmental topics, such as waste control or treatment or pollution abatement methods.
• Provide scientific or technical guidance, support, coordination, or oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.
• Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
• Prepare charts or graphs from data samples, providing summary information on the environmental relevance of the data.
• Process and review environmental permits, licenses, or related materials.

We asked some Health Environmental Scientists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Health Environmental Scientists also conduct environmental audits or inspections or investigations of violations. They may also provide advice on proper standards and regulations or the development of policies, strategies, or codes of practice for environmental management.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Health Environmental Scientists Evaluate violations or problems discovered during inspections to determine appropriate regulatory actions or to provide advice on the development and prosecution of regulatory cases. They might also Determine data collection methods to be employed in research projects or surveys.

In addition, they Prepare charts or graphs from data samples, providing summary information on the environmental relevance of the data.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Process and review environmental permits, licenses, or related materials.

To some Health Environmental Scientists, it is also their responsibility to Analyze data to determine validity, quality, and scientific significance and to interpret correlations between human activities and environmental effects.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Health Environmental Scientist and Specialist, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

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