Environmental and public health officer
Also known as
Work environment
- Usually work regular business hours
- Usually work in offices, and may travel locally and nationally
- May work in all weather and hazardous conditions
- Need to be responsible, safety conscious and identify and solve problems
Salary information
Typical tasks
- Investigate disease outbreaks and prevent spread
- Check food safety in businesses and schools
- Identify health risks and recommend solutions
- Make sure buildings meet health standards
- Assess and manage land pollution
- Collect samples to test for pollution
- Issue legal notices and give court evidence
- Help create health policies
- Train people on environmental health practices
- Review applications for permits and licences
Outlook
Environmental and public health work remains important as New Zealand focuses on prevention, community wellbeing and responding to environmental health challenges. Factors such as climate change, population growth, food safety, water quality and public health preparedness continue to influence the sector. Globally, greater use of data, technology and evidence-based approaches is helping organisations identify risks and support healthier communities.
What employers and industry want in graduates
- Strong analytical and investigative skills
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Clear written and verbal communication
- Ability to interpret regulations and guidelines
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Commitment to community wellbeing and public safety
AUT programmes
The above is a suggestion only and a starting point. You may need to meet other criteria or take additional steps to work in this career.
Further study options
Content is reviewed by our experts, but information can change over time. Some content is created with AI support.
This data is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahtu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Some of the information has been modified by AUT. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this data.