Environmental Health & Sanitation Officer
Ministry: Agriculture · Emergency Function: Environmental Health & Sanitation
Role Purpose
Helps maintain sanitary conditions and prevent disease outbreaks when normal sanitation systems are disrupted during disasters.
What You Would Help Do
Before an Emergency
- Develop sanitation plans for shelters and community spaces.
- Identify safe waste management approaches for emergencies.
- Build hygiene supply reserves.
- Support community sanitation education and outreach.
During an Emergency
- Monitor shelter and facility sanitation conditions.
- Support emergency waste management.
- Help prevent the spread of disease in shelters.
- Coordinate with Health & Human Services on public health threats.
- Ensure safe hygiene practices during food and water distribution.
After an Emergency
- Assess sanitation conditions in affected areas.
- Support restoration of sanitation systems.
- Document public health lessons and update sanitation plans.
Qualifications & Helpful Skills
Who would be a good fit?
Required
- Willingness to complete Weather Watchmen training.
Helpful But Not Required
- Background in public health, sanitation, or environmental health
- Experience in facilities, janitorial, or maintenance work
- Community health education experience
- Knowledge of hygiene and disease prevention
Training & Readiness
Volunteers are not expected to respond to emergencies without preparation.
Weather Watchmen volunteers may receive or be asked to participate in role-appropriate training, exercises, orientations, drills, and continuing preparedness activities before being assigned operational responsibilities.
Potential training for this role:
Working Together
No Ministry operates in isolation during an emergency.
Three-Deep Succession
Weather Watchmen's emergency management system is designed around continuity of leadership. Critical functions should have trained Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary personnel so that operations can continue if a primary leader is unavailable.
Multiple volunteers may express interest in the same operational area to build this depth.
Interested in Serving?
You do not have to know everything today. If you have relevant experience, transferable skills, or a willingness to train and serve, we encourage you to express your interest.