Characterization of competencies required for successful environmental health work (50m Lecture)

Accomplishing the mission of environmental health depends in part on strengthening communication and community engagement, yet many efforts are significantly compromised by organizational confusion and internal failures. This seminar will explore some of the essential traits and perspectives needed by environmental health practitioners striving to deliver cutting edge programs and services in the communities they serve. The phrase 'environmental health' is not a familiar one to most people, which correlates to a lack of thinking about environmental health work. To convey the benefits of environmental health, the EHS practitioner must be able to communicate complicated things in relatively simple ways; an art which requires technical, conceptual and interpersonal competencies. Apart from these skills, however, performance barriers are also attributable to poor self-management; either in the form of insufficient planning and prioritizing of work, lack of engagement, or more typically both. The presentation will bring focus to the concept of environmental health leadership, with a discussion of specific techniques for making decisions, solving problems, and improving communication. The emphasis here is on the individual, to propel the environmental health practitioner beyond the status quo and to avoid the pitfall of plateauing at the highest level of their ability. Attendees should exit the session with an enhanced awareness of many common barriers detrimental to the efforts of OEHS professionals and the mission of environmental health, thus clearing a path for increased organizational success.