Addressing the Environmental Health Workforce Shortage: Unpacking Complexities Associated With the EnvironmentaHealth Technician Role

Dunn, L, Ross, K, Lynch, Z, Dawson, H, Dyjack, DT, Davis, G, Hannelly, T, Mitchell, G and Shaw, L (2026) Addressing the Environmental Health Workforce Shortage: Unpacking Complexities Associated With the EnvironmentaHealth Technician Role. Journal of Environmental Health, 89 (1). pp. 28-35. ISSN 0022-0892

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Abstract

Environmental health professionals are crucial in protecting communities from harm by preventing and addressing environmental health threats. Becoming an environmental health professional (EHP) typically requires a degree-level qualification or equivalent in most countries. Globally, a chronic shortage of qualified EHPs has led to greater reliance on the employment of environmental health technicians (EHTs) to address environmental health threats, particularly in regulatory settings. Our article uses a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis to explore the complexities of this growing workplace trend across several countries. Our findings indicate that while the EHT role offers many benefits, it also presents challenges. To effectively tackle these challenges, we propose a strategic framework consisting of five essential components that are needed to assist in managing the complexities associated with this trend: 1) education and training, 2) role clarity, 3) risk-based task allocation, 4) professional development, and 5) organizational support.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	40 Engineering; 3505 Human Resources and Industrial Relations; 35 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services; 4011 Environmental Engineering; 8.1 Organisation and delivery of services; 3 Good Health and Well Being; 0502 Environmental Science and Management; 1117 Public Health and Health Services; 1605 Policy and Administration; Environmental & Occupational Health; 3505 Human resources and industrial relations; 4011 Environmental engineering
Subjects:	R Medicine > RT Nursing
Divisions:	Nursing, Public and Allied Health
Publisher:	National Environmental Health Association
Date of acceptance:	18 April 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access:	23 September 2026
Date Deposited:	23 Sep 2026 13:23
Last Modified:	23 Sep 2026 13:23
DOI or ID number:	10.70387/001c.164880
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/29517

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