Environmental Health and Safety Officers (Officer)
Opportunities
Environmental health and safety officers direct programs to protect the health and safety of military members and their families. They apply engineering and scientific principles in anticipating, recognizing, and evaluating occupational and environmental health hazards. These officers design and formulate recommendations to preserve and enhance health and environmental conditions to include air, water, noise, liquid and solid waste disposal, food, and institutional hygiene. They also lead hazardous material control and public contingency response, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear safety initiatives.
Training Provided
Job training for environmental health and safety officers consists of classroom and field training.
- Methods and procedures for health threat assessment
- Disease and environmental surveillance techniques
- Development of countermeasures for actual and potential threats
Officers typically enter the Military after they have completed a four-year college degree; enlisted service members can transition to officer positions through a variety of pathways and earn a degree while serving. Officers complete a comprehensive training program covering responsibilities, military structure and etiquette, traditions, and leadership development.
Earnings
Officers in the military can progress through ten officer pay grades during their careers. Pay grade and length of service determine an officer's pay. Most newly commissioned officers begin at pay grade O-1 ($43,646/year basic pay in 2023). With certain professional qualifications, officers may enter at a higher pay grade. After two years, officers generally move up to O-2 ($57,272/year basic pay in 2023). After an additional two years, the military generally promotes officers to O-3 ($77,637/year basic pay in 2023) if job performance and other requirements are met. Cost-of-living increases usually occur once a year. Many officers and their families live free of charge in military housing on the base where they are assigned. Those living off base receive a housing allowance in addition to their basic pay. Officers also receive a monthly food allowance. These allowances, and associated tax savings, are substantial additions to basic pay. Other employment benefits for military officers include free health care, 30 days paid vacation each year, legal assistance, education assistance, military store privileges, and an excellent retirement program.
Services offering this occupation
Air Force
Army
Coast Guard
Marine Corps
Navy