A Career in Environmental Health

Environmental Health Officer

Becoming a qualified Environmental Health Officer involves both academic and practical training.

The academic is the BSc Degree in Environmental Health offered by Strathclyde University in Glasgow. Currently this is the only provider recognised by the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS). There are plans for a MSc conversion course in a Scottish University but this is not available yet.

The practical is a minimum 48-week placement, usually with a local authority. Shetland Islands Council employ a Student Environmental Health Officer who is currently in the first year of the degree at Strathclyde University. The practical placement can be undertaken during breaks from University or 'end-on' after graduation. There are practical and written assessments to complete.

We are always keen to hear from anyone interested in a career in Environmental Health and regularly host work experience for schools.

These pages should give you a flavour of the work of and the links opposite provide more information on becoming an Environmental Health Officer.

Please contact any of the EHO's for further information or Service Manager - Maggie Dunne if you would like to visit the department.

Other Routes into Environmental Health

There are staff working within Environmental Health who are not EHO's but are qualified in certain specific aspects of Environmental Health, for example Food Safety or Health and Safety.

Some examples of relevant qualifications include:

  • Health and Safety - (National Examining Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH), Certificate or Diploma Level
  • Food Safety - REHIS or CIEH Higher Certificate in Food Premises Inspection
  • Pest Control - British Pest Control Association, Certificate level
  • Animal Health - ITS Diploma, Animal Health Unit
  • Acoustics - Institute of Acoustics, Certificate or Diploma level
  • Management Systems/Quality Systems - Lead Auditor

Please contact any of the Environmental Health Staff for further information.