Public Health Inspector

Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety (2263)

Environmental health officer, Hazardous waste inspector, Health and safety officer, Health standards inspector, Occupational health and safety officer, Public health inspector

A bachelor's degree or college diploma in a discipline such as food science, environmental studies, chemistry or health and safety is usually required.
Public health inspectors employed outside Quebec require certification with the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors. Occupational health and safety officers may require certification with the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP).

Medium
Employment outlook is fair in most provinces. More information is available here.

Experienced inspectors may advance from staff inspector to environmental health specialist and senior inspector positions. They may move on to chief inspector or director positions.

1-2 years of relevant experience are usually required

Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspection approved programs:

Ryerson University– Toronto, ON
British Columbia Institute of Technology– Burnaby, BC
Concordia University of Edmonton– Edmonton, AB
Cape Breton University– Sydney, NS
Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning – Kitchener, ON
First Nations University of Canada– Regina, SK

General learning ability - to inspect sanitary conditions of restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals and other public facilities and institutions, to inspect workplaces to ensure that equipment, materials and production processes do not present safety and health hazards to employees and the general public, and to measure physical, biological and chemical workplace hazards
Verbal ability - to conduct surveys and monitoring programs of the natural environment to identify sources of pollution Spatial perception and Form perception - to inspect workplaces, public facilities and establishments, and to conduct safety and environmental audits
Methodical interest - in handling materials to collect water samples and other materials for analyses; and to develop, implement and evaluate health and safety programs and strategies
Innovative interest - in analyzing data from investigations of health and safety related complaints, spills of hazardous chemicals, outbreaks of diseases and poisonings and from workplace accidents and illnesses
Directive interest - in speaking with employers, employees and the general public to deliver training and advise on public health, environmental protection and workplace safety issues; and in initiating enforcement procedures to fine or to close establishments that contravene municipal, provincial and federal regulations

Employers may require applicants to have a clear security check and regularly updated immunizations. Some require applicants to have a valid driver’s licence and perhaps their own vehicle.

Establishments throughout the private and public sectors

1. Candidates must obtain a degree related to public health inspection that is approved by CIPHI (see Training options)and a 12 weeks minimum practicum experience.

2. Then take the exam CERTIFICATE IN PUBLIC HEALTH INSPECTION (CANADA)