ID
12-509-1048
Name
Environmental Health Specialist
Status
Published
Version
1.8
Updated
12/3/2019 11:59:16 AM
Original Release
03/04/2008
Last Major Release
12/03/2019
NQS Position
Resource Category
Medical and Public Health
Primary Core Capability
Environmental Response/Health and Safety
Secondary Core Capability
 
Resource Kind
Personnel
Overall Function
The Environmental Health Specialist provides professional technical assistance, consultation, and support in environmental health specialty areas
Single resource
In conjunction with a NIMS typed team
NIMS Typed Team
Environmental Health Team
In conjunction with a NIMS typed unit
NIMS Typed Unit
 
Description Notes
Not Specified
Supporting Core Capabilities
None
Types
Type Description
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: Provides professional technical assistance, consultation, and support in environmental health specialty areas, including environmental epidemiology, toxicology, and exposure assessment/risk analysis
Type 2The Environmental Health Specialist: 1. Assesses and monitors biological and chemical hazards, threats, or risks to human health and safety in water, food, waste, soil, debris, air (indoor and outdoor), vectors and pests, shelters, building environments, and other environmental health-related areas 2. Recommends remedial action to correct or mitigate hazards, threats, or risks to human health and safety.
Components
Component Notes  
EducationNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Bachelor of science degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, public health, biology, biomedical sciences, natural science, physical science, engineering, industrial hygiene, or related field
TrainingNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Completion of the following: 1. IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS-100 2. IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 3. IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction 4. IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction 5. Training in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.120: Hazardous Materials Awareness 6. Training in accordance with the OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.134: Respiratory Protection
ExperienceNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: One additional year of specialized experience in an environmental health specialty area, such as environmental epidemiology, toxicology, exposure assessment/risk analysis, or radiation training and response
Type 2One year of experience in retail or commercial food inspection and sanitation, vector surveillance and identification, air quality, water quality, emergency food and shelter response, hazardous and infectious materials, environmental health, or equivalent
Physical/Medical Fitness1. NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System (NQS) defines Physical/Medical Fitness levels for NIMS positions. 2. PPE is mission specific and may vary by work environment; it includes protective footwear, protective clothing for skin exposure, eye and ear protection, respirators, gloves, and masks.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 21. Arduous 2. Is able to work while wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 3. Maintains immunizations in accordance with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) immunization recommendations
CurrencyNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 21. Functions in this position during an operational incident, planned event, exercise, drill, or simulation at least once every two years 2. Keeps immunizations up to date and commensurate with mission assignment
Professional and Technical Licenses and CertificationsProfessional or specialty certification/license may include Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS), Registered Hazardous Substances Specialist (RHSS), and Certified Professional-Food Safety (CP-FS), or Registered Sanitarian (RS).
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Relevant Environmental Health professional certification or license of legal authority to function in the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), if applicable; granting entity may include state, District of Columbia, tribe, U.S. territory, or professional organization
Composition and Ordering Specifications
Specification
Discuss logistics for deploying this position, such as working conditions, length of deployment, security, lodging, transportation, and meals, prior to deployment
1099
Notes
References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 508: Environmental Health Team
FEMA, NIMS 509: Environmental Health Team Leader
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
FEMA, NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System, November 2017
FEMA, National Response Framework, June 2016
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.120: Hazardous Materials Awareness, latest edition adopted
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.134: Respiratory Protection, latest edition adopted
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Immunization Recommendations for Disaster Responders
Published Versions
Version Publish Date Document Type
1.8 12/3/2019 11:59:16 AM PDF
1.7 1/3/2019 4:31:56 PM PDF
1.6 9/28/2018 5:13:14 PM PDF
1.5 6/19/2018 11:17:15 AM PDF
1.4 6/19/2018 10:14:50 AM PDF
1.3 6/18/2018 11:07:10 PM PDF
1.2 12/8/2017 11:55:19 AM PDF
1.1 4/8/2014 6:57:53 PM PDF
1.0 1/22/2014 4:03:42 PM Unavailable