21120

Public and environmental health and safety professionals

TEER 1 — Usually require a university degree

Express Entry skill level: Yes
Regulated in Québec: No
In demand in Manitoba: No

Classification

Natural & applied sciences

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Definition

Public and environmental health and safety professionals review, evaluate and monitor public health and environmental safety hazards and develop strategies to prevent, control and eliminate disease and environmental impact caused by biological and chemical factors. They inspect restaurants, industrial establishments, municipal water systems, public facilities and institutions to ensure compliance with government regulations regarding sanitation, pollution control and the handling and storage of hazardous substances. They are employed throughout the public and private sectors.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Inspect the sanitary conditions of restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals and other public facilities or institutions
Conduct surveys and monitoring programs of the natural environment to identify sources of pollution
Collect biological and chemical samples and specimens for analysis; measure physical, biological and chemical; and conduct safety and environmental audits
Investigate health and safety related complaints, spills of hazardous chemicals, outbreaks of diseases or poisonings
Inspect workplaces to ensure that equipment, materials and production processes do not present environmental hazards to the environment or a health and safety hazard to employees or to the general public
Lead the development and the implementation of public safety and environmental health and safety programs and strategies to mitigate risk and optimize the general public and worker's health and safety and environmental protection
Initiate enforcement procedures to fine or to close an establishment contravening municipal, provincial or federal regulations
Provide consultation and deliver training programs to employers, employees and the general public on issues of public health, environmental protection or workplace safety.

Example job titles

•environmental health officer
•environmental officer
•environmental safety advisor
•hazardous waste inspector
•pollution control inspector
•public health inspector
•public health inspectors supervisor
•public safety consultant

Overview

NOC 21120, which classifies public and environmental health and safety professionals under the ESDC NOC 2021 system, represents skilled TEER 1 occupations essential to Canada's public safety framework. Professionals in this unit group inspect physical environments, workplaces, and public facilities to ensure compliance with strict government regulations regarding sanitation, pollution control, hazardous materials, and workplace health and safety. They are primarily employed by federal, provincial, and municipal government departments, public health units, environmental agencies, and private sector corporations.

To qualify under NOC 21120, candidates typically require a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline, such as environmental health, occupational health and safety, chemistry, or biology. For specific public health roles, certification with the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI) is mandatory. As a TEER 1 occupation, high-skilled professionals in this category are eligible for key Canadian immigration pathways, including the Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and numerous Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

Typical duties in this role involve inspecting food establishments, public institutions, and industrial sites, as well as investigating complaints, evaluating environmental hazards, and enforcing compliance legislation. Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional immigration advice. For official and updated guidelines, please consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or a regulated Canadian immigration consultant.

Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.

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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.