Every time you enter a building, you put your life in the hands of the people who designed and constructed it and those who now maintain it and all the systems inside.

If they have done their jobs right, you have nothing to worry about. The walls are solid. The roof is supported. The floors are steady beneath your feet. There are no rats or termites hiding in the walls. The air inside is safe to breathe. If a fire breaks out, an alarm will warn you, and sprinklers may activate to douse the flames.

You don’t think about these things when you enter a building. Environmental health practitioners who specialize in the safety of our built environment do.

Built environment specialists are environmental health practitioners who monitor the safety of homes, apartments, schools and other buildings. They are trained to assess basic structural soundness and to inspect buildings for evidence of poor maintenance, infestation, fire hazards, blocked exits, lead paint, poor air or water quality, improper sanitation and other potential health concerns.

They often work for government agencies to help enforce codes and standards, and they may be empowered to issue citations, assess fines and even lock down unsafe properties.

Other built environment specialists focus on design and planning, applying the latest research about potential hazards, such as asbestos or mold, to improve building design and reduce risks.

Working Conditions

Built environment specialists usually work a standard 40-hour week. They spend some time in an office, writing reports and coordinating their work with other professionals. The rest of their time is spent inspecting buildings.

The work can be fast-paced, with tight deadlines and multiple pressures.

Building inspections fall into two general categories: Routine and problem-focused. Routine inspections involve verifying that a building believed to be safe is, in fact, safe. This involves visually examining various parts of the building according to a checklist. Equipment also may be used to assess air quality and test for other potential issues.

Problem-focused inspections happen when a complaint has been filed or the inspector has a reason to believe a structure is unsafe. In this case, the built environment specialist may encounter unpleasant or even dangerous conditions, as well as potential opposition from building owners or management.  There may be times when the job can get confrontational, if owners or management oppose inspections.

Academic Requirements

Built Environment Specialist like food safety specialists typically earn a four-year college degree with a scientific major. Some states offer certification for environmental health practitioners who have a specified amount of work experience and pass an examination.

Acquiring a degree from an accredited environmental health degree program is highly recommended for individuals interested in entering the field of environmental health.

Accreditation helps ensure a well-prepared workforce, and indicates that an academic program has been found to have the curriculum, faculty, facilities and institutional support necessary to provide quality environmental health education. The National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC) is the only accreditation body for environmental health degree programs.

Accreditation is important to many employers, as well, including the federal government. For example, only students from accredited programs are eligible to participate in the U.S. Public Health Service’s Commissioned Corps Officer Student Extern Training Program. Further, EHAC accreditation assures employers that graduates have completed at least a 180 hour hands-on, practice based internship during their college career.

Experience in the food preparation industry can help you qualify for an entry-level position as a food inspector with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA food safety specialists must pass a written test and have either a four-year degree or job-related experience that involves ensuring compliance with proper food safety standards. Each of these sentences needs to be appropriate for each job description.

Because Built Environment Specialist must work with many different types of people and report their findings, good written and communication skills are essential. It also helps to have acute senses and be highly observant. Commissioned Corps Officer Student Extern Training Program.

Resources

• American Society of Safety Engineers
• Association of Environmental Health Academic Programs
• Choose a Career in Environmental Health
• Environmental Health Services Branch
• National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
• National Library of Medicine