Public Health Inspector

Public health inspectors look for health and safety hazards in restaurants, public facilities, factories or other types of workplaces.

NOC Code: 2263

Job Duties

Public health inspectors look for health and safety hazards in restaurants, public facilities, factories or other types of workplaces. You may work for the government, public utilities or for a company that provides these services. You may also be called an environmental health inspector, health and safety officer, occupational health officer or safety inspector.

Generally, public health inspectors:

  • Inspect the sanitary conditions of restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals and other public facilities.
  • Measure physical, biological and chemical workplace hazards and review safety and environmental conditions.
  • Investigate health and safety related complaints, spills of hazardous chemicals, disease outbreaks, poisonings or workplace accidents.
  • Inspect workplaces to ensure equipment, materials and processes are safe.
  • Develop, implement and evaluate health and safety programs and strategies.
  • Fine or close an establishment that breaks municipal, provincial or federal rules.
  • Train employers, employees and the general public about public health, environmental protection or workplace safety.

Source: HRSDC

Job Requirements

Education

This job requires: College or University

Comparison with other jobs in this profession
JobLevel of Education Required
Health EducatorCollege or University
Medical Laboratory TechnicianCollege or University
Health Policy AnalystCollege or University
Personal Support WorkerHigh School
Public Health InspectorCollege or University

Experience

This job requires 2 - 5 years of work experience.

Comparison with other jobs in this profession
JobYears of Work Experience Required
Health Educator2 - 5
Medical Laboratory Technician0 - 2
Health Policy Analyst2 - 5
Personal Support Worker0 - 2
Public Health Inspector2 - 5

Source: HRSDC

Essential Skills

As a public health inspector, you need to:

  • Speak, write and read English.
  • Write reports on work environments.
  • Understand and follow industry ethics and safety regulations.
  • Have strong planning and organizational skills.
  • Work well with other people and on your own.

Language Skills

You need to communicate in person, on the phone and in writing with the public and your co-workers. You also need to take notes, write reports and review regulations.

Labour Market Information

Trends

People are retiring from this profession, so there are opportunities in this field. You need to have good communication skills and work well in teams.

Prospects

The work prospects for this job are: GOOD

Comparison with other jobs in this profession
JobWork Prospects
Health EducatorGood
Medical Laboratory TechnicianFair
Health Policy AnalystFair
Personal Support WorkerGood
Public Health InspectorGood

Source: Ontario Job Futures

Wages

The average hourly wage for this job is: C$33.65/hour.

Comparison with other jobs in this profession
JobAverage Wage/Hour
Health Educator$21.75
Medical Laboratory Technician$22.00
Health Policy Analyst$33.00
Personal Support Worker$14.85
Public Health Inspector$33.65

Source: HRSDC

Retraining

Educational Programs

These links will give you a list of related educational programs or where you can search for them. There may be other schools that have similar programs, such as private career colleges. You may be able to get advanced standing.

Bridging Programs

Here is a list of some bridging programs. These programs can help you assess your education and skills, get practical training or improve your language skills so that you can work in your field.

Language Training

Here is a list of some language training programs, such as Enhanced Language Training (ELT) and Occupation Specific Language Training (OSLT).

Work Experience Programs

Some bridging programs in this field include co-operative (co-op) work experience.

Voluntary Membership Opportunities

Helpful Links

The data in this profile is provided for informational purposes only. Some of the information may have changed since this profile was written. Please check the source for the most up-to-date information.