What will I do in this job?
If you choose to be an inspector or compliance officer, you will help to keep workplaces safe, food healthy, and the environment clean. These workers enforce rules on matters as diverse as health, safety, food quality, licensing, and finance. Their duties may vary widely, depending on their area of responsibility and level of experience.
Environmental health inspectors:
- work primarily for governments
- analyze substances in order to determine contamination or the presence of disease and investigate sources of contamination
- certify the purity of food and beverages produced in dairies and processing plants or served in restaurants, hospitals, and other institutions
Food inspectors:
- insure that the product is fit for human consumption in compliance with Federal laws
- have the authority to shut the plant down if there is a problem that they are unable to resolve
Mine safety and health inspectors:
- carry out the major operational mission of the department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
- conduct on-site inspections or investigations of underground and surface mines, mills, and quarries in search of conditions that are potentially hazardous to the safety and health of workers
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspectors:
- serve the Department of Labor as expert consultants on the application of safety principles, practices, and techniques in the workplace
- conduct fact-finding investigations of workplaces to determine the existence of specific safety hazards
Because of the diversity of the functions they perform, qualifications for inspectors and compliance officers varies widely. Requirements include a combination of education, experience, and passing scores on written examinations. Many employers require college degrees. Experience in the area being investigated is a prerequisite for many positions.
Will I need a special license?
Licensing may be required for some positions.
What type of education will I need?
Environmental health requires a Bachelor’s degree.
Will I find a job?
Average growth in employment of inspectors is expected through 2006
How much will I make?
Median Salary: $39,223 (Ranges from $29,000-$49,000)
(2000-2003)
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