Indigenous Environmental Health Worker

Indigenous Environmental Health Workers operate in a range of Population Health projects/programs particularly relating to Indigenous Environmental Health.

As an Indigenous Environmental Health Worker, you may perform the following tasks:

• Create and maintain environments that promote good health
• Lessen the risk of disease and improve health and well being in indigenous communities
• Address issues such as food safety, water quality, animal management, housing, and sewerage and waste disposal systems
• Provide environmental health services consistent with legislative requirements, good practice and departmental policy
• Undertake statutory surveillance of various dwellings, commercial premises, enforcement activities, special investigations, complaint investigation and resolution, evidence gathering and instigate legal proceedings when required
• Inspect and monitor food safety in food premises
• Plan and participate in environmental health promotional activity
• Consult with Aboriginal communities, to assist in improving environmental health outcomes and participate in the development and implementation of multi-disciplinary Health projects
• Monitor, record and report on key indicators of change in the environmental health status of communities.
• Clean insanitary dwellings and clandestine laboratories
• Assist in Emergency/Disaster relief operations and special projects as required

Personal Attributes

• Skilled in analysing information
• Able to solve problems
• Good communicator with good writing and reporting skills
• Motivated and reasonably fit and healthy

Desirable Skills

• Knowledgeable of environmental and health issues, and related regulations and standards
• Knowledgeable of Acts of parliament that relate to public health such as the Resource Management Act and the Food Act
• Knowledgeable of scientific principles such as how bacteria multiply
• Familiar with food industry processes and technology
• Skilled in the technical use of equipment for measuring water quality, noise and light
• Equipped with research and analytical skills for infectious disease investigations, and complex nuisance complaints
• Adaptable, with an eye for detail and good sense of smell
• Diplomatic and friendly, with a sense of humour
• Persuasive and firm
• Able to relate well to people from different cultures, lifestyles and age groups

Requirements

Certificate III in Indigenous Environmental Health

Improve your chances by

• Take subjects such as English, maths, chemistry, biology and science and Aboriginal studies
• Obtain a driver's license
• Gain experience in health, food or hospitality industries or in laboratory or science work.

Long term possibilities

• Aboriginal Community Worker
• Environmental Field Support Officer
• Healthy Housing Worker
• Indigenous Public Health Officer

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