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Service Branches
Work Environment
Environmental health specialists work indoors while inspecting food facilities and buildings. They work outdoors while inspecting waste disposal facilities and field camps.
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Military Status
Enlisted
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Average Military Salary
$66,332
Overview
Environmental health and safety specialists protect the military community through programs to ensure that military facilities and food supplies are free of disease, germs, and other hazardous conditions. These specialists identify occupational and environmental health hazards and risks that may negatively impact health, human performance, and environmental health quality. They manage programs related to communicable disease control and prevention, food safety and defense, sanitary compliance, occupational health and safety, hazardous material control, and public health contingency response.
Military Training
All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Job training for environmental health and safety specialists consists of classroom and on-the-job instruction, including practice in making health and sanitation inspections. Training content may include:
- Identification and mitigation of health hazards
- Inspection of food products and food service operations
- Fire prevention
- Occupational health and hygiene programs
- Emergency medical techniques
- Accident prevention programs
Helpful Attributes
- Interest in gathering information
- Interest in protecting the environment
- Preference for work requiring attention to detail
Related Civilian Careers
- Hydrologists
- Chemical Technicians
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
- Agricultural Inspectors
- Animal Trainers
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
- Environmental Engineers
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
- Construction and Building Inspectors
- Compliance Managers
- Emergency Management Directors
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