Environmental Health Assistant
As a part-time Environmental Health Assistant, you’ll be responsible for providing healthcare to support and maintain the health and wellbeing of Army members. You’ll work in and around Army camps minimising the risks posed by climate, non-combat injuries, unsanitary conditions and vector-borne diseases.
If you’re looking to experience adventure and excitement outside the everyday, earn tax-free pay and work as part of a close-knit team, this is an exciting opportunity that can work around your lifestyle.
What you'll do
You’ll assist commanders in the prevention and control of disease and non-battle injuries to ensure ADF members can maintain a high level of health and fitness to carry out their duties.
Your training will equip you with the skills to study and assess environmental and occupational health threats, then implement effective control procedures.
Your duties may include:
- assessing environmental and occupational health threats by gathering and evaluating information obtained through health intelligence sources, on-site surveys and health surveillance
- determining and implementing counter measures to minimise the environmental and occupational health threats including vector/pest control, water quality analysis, food safety, waste management and sanitation
- conducting health surveillance and using health surveillance data to assess effectiveness of counter measures and plan investigations and health surveys
- conducting surveys and performing testing to assess environmental and occupational health threats and counter measures during deployment
- advising on the full range of Environmental Health Assistant issues to medical and non-medical personnel to help promote health and prevent casualties.
Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career. As you progress, the Army will provide you with development opportunities to assist you with your increasing leadership responsibility, as well as further education and specialised training to strengthen your skillset. This will help you to command and run a highly skilled team of soldiers and the employment of their equipment.
The Army Reserve has units located all across Australia and offers you the flexibility to serve where you live. There are training locations in cities, small towns and regional areas. Even if there isn’t a unit close to you there may be other ways to serve. You’ll have a Careers Coach who you can ask about your options.
Part-time Environmental Health Assistant vacancies are currently restricted to applicants who reside within 90 minutes of Edinburgh, SA; Oakleigh, VIC; or Enoggera, QLD.
It’s been a great experience for me. I’ve grown in confidence and it’s helped me get out and see more.
It’s been a great experience for me. I’ve grown in confidence and it’s helped me get out and see more.
Requirements and training
You must be an Australian citizen to serve in the ADF. However, Australian permanent residents may be eligible. For more details, visit the "Citizenship" tab on the Eligibility Requirements page.
You can apply for a role in the ADF from 16.5 years of age and must be at least 17 to join. For Reserve service, the maximum age to apply is 60 years, with a Compulsory Retirement Age (CRA) of 65. Candidates who wish to enlist into the Reserves beyond the age of 61 years will need further assessment to ensure they can complete all pre-requisite training in their chosen field prior to reaching CRA.
You don’t need a driver’s licence for this role but if you have one, it can’t be suspended or cancelled.
All ADF members require a security clearance. As an ADF member, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate level of security clearance for your role. You’ll need a collection of relevant information including background checks and/or interviews so the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) can make an informed assessment to ensure the protection of Government resources and information. Your Careers Coach will explain what level of clearance is required for the career you are considering.
For more information or to learn about how security clearance will apply to you, view the eligibility requirements page.
Completion of Year 10 (or equivalent) education required with passes in English and Maths. If you haven't completed Year 10 but are interested in joining, the ADF may be able to support your application. Employment history and other qualifications will be considered. You’ll have a Careers Coach who you can speak to about your options.
You’ll also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment.
Female
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Push-ups: 4
- Shuttle Run Score: 6.1.
Male
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Push-ups: 8
- Shuttle Run Score: 6.1.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards, refer to physical fitness standards for entry into the ADF and medical process for entry into the ADF.
There is no minimum number of years required in the ADF Reserve as service is voluntary. You can volunteer until the Defence Reserve retirement age of 65, subject to the requirements and your suitability for further service.
Reserve service is flexible and can fit around your family, life and work responsibilities. In your first year, you can choose to serve between a minimum of 20 and up to 150 days, which includes Initial Employment and Military Training. After that, you can choose to serve 20 to 150 days each year, with the potential to extend to 200 days. On training completion, you can serve from as little as one night a week, one weekend a month, or in consecutive weeks - in a way that suits your lifestyle.
Course: Army Reserve Recruit Course
Duration: 3 weeks
Location: Kapooka, Wagga Wagga, NSW
During training, you’ll take part in physical training, weapon handling and shooting, first aid, drill and field craft. You'll be challenged both mentally and physically.
Although it can be demanding, most recruits gain a sense of achievement, purpose and confidence during basic training, and on completion of the course feel justifiably proud of what they have achieved. The priority of our instructors is to help you succeed.
You’ll need to complete this course within 6 months of enlisting.
Course: Preventative Medicine Basic Course
Duration: 6 weeks (approximately)
Location: Army Logistics Training Centre, Bonegilla, Vic
This course will provide you with theory and practical training in preventative medicine. Training, conducted in both classroom and field environments, will cover:
- workplace health and safety
- water quality
- food safety
- waste management
- vector control
- control of communicable diseases.
As a Reserve soldier, this course is delivered in 4 short modules of 16 days, 7 days, 10 days and 7 days. You can complete each module sequentially over a number of years or in a block with your full-time colleagues.
You’ll be awarded a limited Preventative Medicine proficiency upon successful completion of module one.