Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

The Work

Environmental Protection Officers ensure that rivers and lakes are of a suitable environmental standard to be used for recreation and encourage the growth and development of aquatic life. They also enforce laws that protect rivers and lakes.

Typical duties may include:

-Performing surveys of fish and insect life in rivers and lakes to determine pollution levels

-Identifying the source of pollutants

-Offering advice on the disposal and treatment of effluent

-Issuing licences to water users.  
 
The work involves contact with a lot of different people such as scientists, farmers, landowners and customers who are fishing, as well as working with the fish stock. Water keepers/Water bailiffs work outdoors in all weather conditions.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Determine the nature of code violations and actions to be taken, and issue written notices of violation, participating in enforcement hearings, as necessary.
• Prepare, organise, and maintain inspection records.
• Investigate complaints and suspected violations regarding illegal dumping, pollution, pesticides, product quality, or labeling laws.
• Determine which sites and violation reports to investigate, and coordinate compliance and enforcement activities with other government agencies.
• Interview individuals to determine the nature of suspected violations and to obtain evidence of violations.
• Inform individuals and groups of pollution control regulations and inspection findings, and explain how problems can be corrected.
• Verify that hasardous chemicals are handled, stored, and disposed of in accordance with regulations.
• Learn and observe proper safety precautions, rules, regulations, and practices so that unsafe conditions can be recognised and proper safety protocols implemented.
• Monitor follow-up actions in cases where violations were found, and review compliance monitoring reports.
• Examine permits, licenses, applications, and records to ensure compliance with licensing requirements.

Further Information

• Environmental Protection Officer - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Staff will generally have a degree in a relevant field, such as environmental protection or environmental science.

To become an Environmental Officer it is necessary to hold a qualification approved by the Department of Health, Environmental Protection Agency [See Eligibility criteria from EPA here]. Environmental protection Officers opeate from offices of the EPA. EPA headquarters are located in Wexford with regional inspectorates in; Dublin, Cork, Kilkenny, Castlebar and Monaghan and smaller regional offices in Athlone and Limerick.

Environmetal Protection officers may also operate in complaince, awareness raising, and enforcement among the Local Authorities in Ireland see here.

Training & Development 

FET Centre PLC Courses: Environmental Health & Science (pre-University) NFQ Level 5 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder 

Higher Education CAO Entry Environmental Health & Safety, Environmental Science offered in colleges around Ireland at NFQ levels 6-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Postrgraduate study options B.Sc. level 8 followed by a postgraduate qualification e.g Diploma in Environmental Health.  

Environmental Health & Protection: Professional Development

Senior Grade EHO 

Principal Grade EHO 

Regional Chief EHO 

See also: Working in Ireland as an EHO EHAI. 

Environmental Health & Safety Officers also work in the private sector advising on Safety & Health compliance in a wide array of Industries, in complaince with the HSA check here 

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €44k - €69k

Salaries vary by employer, location, duties, roles, shift pattern, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Gov.ie/ Forsa / HSE / Talent/ Indeed

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The changes in classification as a result of the introduction of the new Labour Force Survey in 2017 are partly responsible for the strong employment growth rate for this occupation, although employment also grew strongly between 2019 and 2020, and continued to grow in 2022. Those employed are primarily female (69%), working full-time (90%), and over half (55%) held third-level qualifications. With a higher than average share of persons employed aged 55 years and older (31% compared to 19% for all occupations), replacement demand is likely to result in opportunities opening up for these roles even if employment growth slows.

There was a significant number of vacancies advertised online for clerical officer roles across the civil service and Government administration roles. However, recent job hires for 2022 far exceeded employment growth indicating that job churn is a feature of this occupation. While job openings are set to continue, upskilling and reskilling may also be required for those already employed in these occupations in order to reach targets set out in the Civil Service Renewal Plan 2024 in areas such as in digital skills.

Scientists

The annual employment growth rate over the five-year period was above average for this occupation, with employment increasing by almost 2,000 persons between 2021 and 2022. Almost a third of employment was in industry with the remainder spread across many sectors. The number of new employment permits issued grew from 164 to 506 between 2021 and 2022, with two fifths of permits issued for roles in the manufacturing of chemicals/pharma sub-sector for scientists and analysts (e.g. quality control, chemists); other roles include medical scientists/technologists, microbiologists, process development and R&D scientists. In June 2022, medical scientists were moved to the Critical Skills Employment Permit List due to issues with sourcing suitable candidates; in Summer 2023, the Government announced plans to expand the number of training places for medical scientists by 20 places. The Recruitment Agency Survey identified difficult-to-fill vacancy mentions for analytical and process scientists. Online job adverts for this occupation grew slightly in 2022, almost all related to posts for R&D managers.

This was the most frequently occurring occupation in online job adverts in 2022. With employment levels increasing and demand still evident, shortages are expected to persist for this occupation, particularly in the chemical/pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, for those with experience and/or in niche areas. The recent decline in the value of pharmaceutical exports in Ireland is unlikely to have a significant impact on the demand for skills as, in addition to being in strong demand in the pharma & biopharma processing industry, they are much sought after elsewhere in both the life sciences sector (e.g. medical devices) and other manufacturing (e.g. food & beverage); in addition, Government focus (and investment) on research and innovation will also sustain the already strong demand for these skills37. Shortages of an

• Waterways Ireland

  • 2 Sligo Road, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, BT74 7JY
  • +44 (0) 28 66 323 004
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI)

  • 1890 924 991
  • Click Here

• Health and Safety Authority

  • The Metropolitan Building, James Joyce St. Dublin 1
  • 1890 289 389
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here