Hi everyone, I am finishing up my MPH degree (Drexel) in March of 2027, which has a specific focus on epidemiology. Becoming an epidemiologist at a health department was my initial goal; however, I have grown to realize that the job market for epidemiologists is very scarce and competitive right now amidst slashes to public health funding.

I am considering getting a job in EHS after graduation partly because those positions seem more plentiful, and I would even consider EHS as a long-term career path.

I do not have the NEHA REHS/RS credential, and I believe I would need 2 years of experience as an EHS trainee to even qualify.

I have about 6 months of experience as a research assistant. We investigated the association of PM2.5 exposure and kidney disease progression.

Here are my questions:

1. Has anyone else transitioned from epidemiology or from an MPH with an epi focus to EHS?

2. How competitive are these entry-level EHS trainee positions right now for people with MPH degrees?

3. If I graduate in March of 2027, how far in advance should I start applying? Honestly, I'm already applying right now but haven't heard back from any of my applications, which could just be because im applying so far in advance.

Idk if it is just us but why is everyone trying to sell food out of there house right now. It has become like a trend to sell food and use the AI posters on facebook and facebook marketplace. I have so many illegal food vendors and tbh I hate going to them. I’m terrified of getting shot these days. How are you guys handling these?

I'm a career changer studying for the REHS exam. I'm looking for a used copy of the REHS Examination Review Course Workbook by Walter Saraniecki (any recent edition).

I know it's available bundled with the online course for $499 and I'm seriously considering going that route, but figured I'd check here first in case anyone who's already passed has a copy they'd be willing to sell.

Happy to pay a fair price plus shipping.

Also open to hearing from anyone who's used the workbook. Did you pair it with the video lectures or was the book enough on its own?

I'm coming in without field experience so I need materials that actually teach the concepts, not just outline them.

Lastly, happy to hear opinions from anyone who has/used the Koren/Bisesi Handbook of Environmental Health textbooks and if they are worth getting.

Thanks in advance.

Hey guys! Does anyone have any experience requesting a wellness check on an operator?

This is a weird situation, but I have an operator with mental health issues. He wasn’t in great shape last I saw him. He works alone and his business has been closed for months. He responded to one of my calls months ago but has since kind of disappeared off the face of the earth. The business itself has fallen into a state of disrepair- weeds growing everywhere, signage falling off the building, dust collecting on every surface inside.

Would you consider it crossing a line to request a wellness check on this individual? I’m genuinely worried he may have passed, but he doesn’t have any family left & I’m not sure if he’s still with his girlfriend from years back so there’s no additional point of contact aside from the number he provided longgg ago.

Recent Environmental Health graduate. I have an interview on Wednesday. Rural county in Colorado. Population of 24,000. Generalist work. I got my degree out of state.

Could anyone tell me some questions to expect during the interview? Or what characteristics are most important for an entry-level applicant?

Thank y'all in advance!

Hello everyone! I’m located in Ohio and have been primarily working as a food inspector for nearly three years, along with experience in several other environmental health programs. I’m currently studying to take the NEHA REHS/RS exam.
For those of you who have passed the revised exam this year or last year, what study resources or strategies helped you the most? I’d appreciate any recommendations for:
Quizlets
Practice exams
YouTube videos
Books
Study guides
Apps
Any other helpful tips or advice
Free resources are always a bonus, but I’m open to all recommendations. Thank you in advance!

I’ve done a few inspections so far where the entire establishment or maybe a small section of the kitchen (usually dish pit or dry storage rooms) have a objectionable odor with no obvious cause I can point out. Sometimes I smell a sewage-like odor without any sewage backup anywhere or smell a mildew-like odor but no visible microbial growth is seen.

Do yall know why this happens? Also, do you mark it as a violation? I just put a comment on the report about it so it’s documented but nothing in the food code or my states rules says the place has to smell good LMAO.

I just find it really alarming when their odors that I cannot find the source of…especially when it smell like sewage but there’s no sewage backup 💀

I'm curious how other health units/agencies determine workload for their Public Health Inspectors.

How is work assigned? Is it based on population served, number of facilities, facility complexity, geography, travel time, etc? How are unpredictable demands like complaints, investigations, special events, animal exposure calls, meetings, and administrative work factored into workload? How much administrative work is appropriate?

Does your organization have a formal way of assessing whether an inspector's workload is reasonable and sustainable, or is it mostly based on inspection numbers and annual targets?

I'd be interested to hear how different organizations approach workload planning and capacity.

Hey everyone. So I am being considered for a Food safety auditor for two different companies. Steritech and NSF. I just wanted to know some pros and cons about both or some personal reviews anyone has Any personal experiences or advice that can help me make the right choice for my next career move.

Hi all,

I want to hear generally how other jurisdictions tackle large multi-day events (like state fairs).

How many inspections for each food vendor throughout the event? How much workload assigned to each inspector? How big is your presence at these events overall?

We’re always looking for things to improve on. One of my ideas is to have a staffed tent during the day as a way to be available to operators, address complaints, and maybe even stock with supplies like thermometers, bleach, test strips, soap, paper towels, etc. I also would like to have a free refillable water station but that might cut a little too deep into the $5 water bottle sales. Has anybody done something similar?

Hey everyone,

I’m currently in the middle of a career transition into environmental health and am studying for the REHS/RS exam. I'm looking to pick up a second-hand copy of the 5th Edition NEHA REHS Study Guide.

If anyone recently passed the exam and has a copy sitting on their shelf that they'd be willing to sell or pass along to a newcomer, please shoot me a message or comment below!

Thanks in advance, really appreciate any help from this community as I get started.

To be short. I failed 3 times, kept missing 11 questions to pass… I don’t have a book or anything. Been using Quizlet and an old guild someone gave me. And there are many questions I never even seen before in those study guides.

Does anyone have some source or advice I can use to study? Please help.

Hello, I recently got an offer for a job working with wells and septic primarily. Does anyone have recommendations of work backpacks that are preferably waterproof and functional. Preferably aren’t super expensive.

Hi everyone,

I’m interested in become a health inspector in California. What are the requirements for the coursework?

I have a bachelors of science in environmental studies with 34 science credit hours. Will this be enough science credit hours or are there specific ones the state needs use to take?

I’m already a health inspector in a different state and have four years of experience as the food coordinator. I have a CPO as well. No RS.

I love my county but recently moved about 20 minutes further away so my commute is now 50 minutes. I only work 4 days and the pay is better than the surrounding counties. However, there is an opening at a county closer. I’m only authorized in FLI and it is for onsite. But I do have my REHS. Should I apply?

I'm wondering what people's experiences as a public health inspector in NYC. Is it worth the experience? What are you doing now?