Environmental Health Officer, Health Inspector/Officer, Inspector
Interest in handling materials to collect water samples and other materials for analyses; and to develop, implement and evaluate health and safety programs and strategies
Interest in analyzing data from investigations of health and safety related complaints, spills of hazardous chemicals, outbreaks of diseases and poisonings and from workplace accidents and illnesses
Interest in speaking with employers, employees and the general public to deliver training and advise on public health, environmental protection and workplace safety issues; and in initiating enforcement procedures to fine or to close establishments that contravene municipal, provincial and federal regulations
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Public health inspectors investigate, evaluate and deal with health-related complaints related to environmental factors. To ensure compliance with public health legislation and regulations, they inspect public and private facilities such as:
In general, public health inspectors assess the particular circumstances, provide advice and ensure compliance with policies and regulations regarding:
Public health inspectors also educate the public to help people understand regulations and the need for proper health protection. For example, they may be involved in injury prevention programs, tobacco control programs or other health promotion programs.
Public health inspectors spend a significant portion of their time conducting inspections in a wide range of work settings. While in their offices, they prepare reports, set up schedules and answer questions from the public. They normally work alone but may consult with other health team members, health professionals and service organizations such as the SPCA and child protection services.
Public health inspectors usually work regular office hours. However, overtime sometimes is required.
Lifting up to 10 kilograms may be required.
Public health inspectors need the following characteristics:
They should enjoy having clear rules and organized methods for their work, analyzing information and dealing with people.
Public health inspectors must have a bachelor's degree in environmental health or equivalent education. Employers also may require applicants to have a clear security check, regularly updated immunization and a valid drivers license. Some require applicants to have their own vehicle.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
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Outside Alberta:
Except in Quebec, public health inspectors must be certified by the Board of Certification of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors. Candidates who have an approved bachelor's degree in environmental health and twelve weeks of acceptable field work experience must pass oral examinations and submit two field reports to qualify for the Certificate of Public Health Inspection (Canada) designation. Once certified, public health inspectors must demonstrate continuing education in their field to maintain their professional certification.
Below-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.
Most public health inspectors are employed by local public health authorities. Some are employed in:
A growing number of public health inspectors are employed in the private sector. Some work as private consultants.
Experienced inspectors may advance from staff inspector to environmental health specialist and senior inspector positions, and possibly to chief inspector or director positions.
Public health inspectors are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2263: Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety. In Alberta, 85% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Over 9,400 Albertans are employed in the Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.0% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 94 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As public health inspectors form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for public health inspectors.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $17.00 | $57.00 | $36.64 | $36.35 |
| Overall | $17.00 | $71.63 | $43.31 | $45.72 |
| Top | $17.00 | $119.54 | $54.66 | $52.28 |
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* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors, Alberta website: www.ciphi.ab.ca
Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors, national website: www.ciphi.ca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.
Updated Jun 01, 2010. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.