Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Environmental Health Specialist
What environmental health specialists actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Review today’s routine inspections and new complaints at the county office. From there, the day usually includes inspect restaurants, food stores and processors, review plans for new food and pool facilities, and test pools, private wells and water supplies. Most work full-time weekdays, with occasional evening or weekend inspections and on-call emergency response.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an environmental health specialist working full time.
- Review today’s routine inspections and new complaints at the county office.
- Inspect a restaurant, checking food temperatures, handwashing and storage.
- Take water samples and check chemical levels at a public pool.
- Investigate a complaint about sewage surfacing in a backyard.
- Do a pre-opening inspection for a new food truck.
- Interview a family about a possible foodborne illness.
- Enter reports and send corrective action letters.
Where environmental health specialists work
Specialists work in health department offices and in the field at restaurants, pools, homes and businesses. They drive between sites and sometimes work in unpleasant conditions such as sewage or pest infestations.
Hours and schedule
Most work full-time weekdays, with occasional evening or weekend inspections and on-call emergency response.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Inspect restaurants, food stores and processors
- Review plans for new food and pool facilities
- Test pools, private wells and water supplies
- Evaluate and permit septic systems
- Investigate complaints and foodborne illness outbreaks
- Enforce health codes and write reports
- Educate businesses and the public
Tools you’ll use every day
- Food thermometers
- Chlorine and pH test kits
- Water sampling equipment
- Flashlights and inspection apps
- GPS and mapping tools
- Data management systems
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Public service that protects health
- Variety and time in the field
- Government jobs with good benefits
- Science applied to everyday life
What’s hard
- Enforcement can create conflict
- Unpleasant conditions at times
- Lots of documentation
- Government pay scales may lag private sector
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like science that protects people
- I don’t mind enforcing rules
- I like working in the field
- I can explain problems clearly and calmly
- I’m interested in food safety and water quality
- I want a public service career
Not sure? Take the free Environmental Health Specialist fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Wear gloves and protective gear around sewage and contaminated areas
- Follow vehicle safety while driving between sites
- Use caution with pool chemicals
- De-escalate tense situations and know when to leave