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Environmental specialists protect and preserve
the well-being of the environment and human health. The broad field
of contemporary environmental problems faced by the state of Florida
and the nation include drinking and surface water quality, solid
and hazardous waste storage and disposal, indoor and outdoor air
quality, radiological health, occupational health, systems ecology
(interrelationship of organisms and their environments), and housing
hygiene.
Environmental specialists at the technician
level collect and analyze hazardous samples, record information, prepare
reports, maintain monitoring equipment, inspect facilities such as
restaurants and swimming pools for cleanliness and safety, and provide
supportive services to environmental engineers and scientific professionals.
Environmental specialists at the professional level act as consultants,
investigators, and evaluators for environmental health and safety
issues. They base decisions on concrete evidence gathered under strict
standard.
Environmental
Specialist
Areas of Specialization
Environmental specialists may specialize in air and industrial hygiene,
radiological health, environmental chemistry and biology, environmental
management, environmental technicians, environmental marketing,
environmental health, environmental landscaping, wastewater, surface
and drinking water resources, food protection, or similar fields.
Work Environment
Environmental specialists work in government environmental regulatory
and public health agencies, industry, utilities, environmental engineering
consulting firms, and universities.
Job Outlook
Approximately 106 job openings are expected each year in Florida
for environmental technicians. This represents an annual average
growth rate of 1.8 percent. Nationally, job growth is faster than
average.
Advancement
With a graduate degree, an environmental specialist may be involved
in research, management, or administration.
Length of Training/Requirements
Environmental health programs are available at both the undergraduate
and graduate levels in Florida. A bachelor's degree with substantial
course work in science and engineering is a prerequisite for admission
to graduate programs. The curriculum for environmental specialists
and environmental engineers includes core courses in hazardous materials
regulations, recovery, incineration and disposal, sampling and analysis,
statistics, environmental biology and chemistry, elements of atmospheric
pollution, environmental resources management, and pollution control
design. A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required
for most environmental specialist positions.
Licensure/Certification
Students with a bachelor's degree from an approved engineering program
and four years of engineering experience are eligible to take the
licensure examination. Upon passing the exam, a professional engineering
license will be issued by the Board of Professional Engineers. Environmental
specialists must have a degree in environmental science or related
disciplines and must pass an examination offered by the Department
of Health's Bureau of Facility Programs to be certified in on-site
sewage treatment or food hygiene if they work for the Department
of Health. The Florida and National Environmental Health Associations
also offer a registration examination for all areas of environmental
health. Continuing education hours are required every two years
for relicensure. The Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals
(ABCEP) administers the Certified Environmental Professional (CEP)
Program which provides environmental professionals who possess special
qualifications of education, experience, and accomplishment with
the opportunity to be judged by a board of peers. Those individuals
awarded the Certified Environmental Professional credential may
use the designation "CEP" after their name (http://www.abcep.org/).
Updated: 2007 |
