Sanitarian

Sanitarians perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

Environmental Science & Protection Technicians, Environmental Technician, Environmental Specialist, Laboratory Specialist, Process Laboratory Specialist, Environmental Health Specialist, Laboratory Technician, Sanitarian, Public Health Sanitarian, Industrial Pretreatment Program Specialist (IPP Specialist), Sanitarian Specialist

Summary

Sanitarians are environmental health professionals whose professional pursuits and duties are necessary to the promotion of life, health, and well-being of the public.

Duties

Occupational health and safety specialists typically do the following:

Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
Develop or implement programs for monitoring of environmental pollution or radiation.
Discuss test results and analyses with customers.
Set up equipment or stations to monitor and collect pollutants from sites, such as smoke stacks, manufacturing plants, or mechanical equipment.
Maintain files, such as hazardous waste databases, chemical usage data, personnel exposure information, or diagrams showing equipment locations.
Develop testing procedures or direct activities of workers in laboratory.
Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.
Examine and analyze material for presence and concentration of contaminants, such as asbestos, using variety of microscopes.

Educational Requirements

Candidates generally must possess a bachelor's degree that includes 30 credit hours in the natural sciences. Acceptable natural sciences include biology, chemistry, geology, hydrology or physics. Acceptable applied sciences include environmental technology, sanitation technology, medical technology, public health, infection control or food science.

Salary Information 2023

According to the salary.com, the average salary of a sanitarian in 2023 was $41,045.

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Information retrieved from O*NET Online: Environmental Science and Protection Technicians.