Your role
As an environmental health officer, you’ll help keep people healthy by assessing and managing hazards in the environment that may impact health.
What you'll do
- Investigate disease outbreaks and illnesses related to food safety
- Monitor and manage water and air quality
- Provide advice to communities and businesses on waste management
- Investigate environmental pollution and ways to stop it
- Respond to public health emergencies
- Assess the health risks, monitor and manage mosquitos
- Develop policies and programs for First Nations communities
- Enforce environmental health and public health regulation
Qualifications
To work as an environmental health officer in Queensland Health you must have:
- a university qualification from a course accredited by Environmental Health Australia
- an international qualification endorsed by the same organisation.
Learn more about environmental health careers and your options on the Environmental Health Professionals Australia website.
Wages
Your pay will depend on your health practitioner (HP) classification and employment status. Read our health practitioner wage rates.
Career progression
There are many opportunities to grow your environmental health career.
New graduate or entry level (HP level 3) positions
Most people with the right university qualifications will start at HP level 3.
Environmental health cadet (HP level 1) positions
HP level 1 positions may be available in some locations for people studying university qualifications to become an environmental health officer.
Senior and advanced environmental health officer and scientist roles
These roles may be available as you gain experience and expertise.
Manager or director positions
Environmental health officers can progress to leading environmental health teams or the larger public health unit.
Other career pathways
Some of our locations offer different opportunities and pathways.
Public health units may employ environmental health technicians and First Nations environmental health workers with vocational education and training (VET) qualifications.
You may also be able to start your career with a school based traineeship.
Read more about technical, administrative and other supporting roles in public health.
How to apply
We advertise all our jobs on the Queensland Government SmartJobs website. We also have information about the application process.