Needs Assessment of Environmental Health Professionals in Montana: A Post-COVID-19 Perspective

• Published in: Journal of environmental health Vol. 86; no. 2; pp. 12 - 21
• Main Authors: Westcarr-Gray, Seana, Taggart, Leigh, Weiler, Emily, Havens, Jeffrey, Oliver, Priscilla, Gilkey, David P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Denver National Environmental Health Association 01-09-2023
• Subjects: Accreditation; Continuing education; COVID-19; Demographics; Education; Employee development; Environmental assessment; Environmental health; Epidemics; Evaluation; Influence; Job satisfaction; Job stress; Labor supply; Medical personnel; Montana; Needs analysis; Occupational health; Pandemics; Personal protective equipment; Polls & surveys; Professionals; Public health; Public health personnel; Response rates; Retention; Sanitarians; Skills; Social skills; Surveys; Training; Workforce; Workforce planning; Montana; United States > US
• ISSN: 0022-0892

We designed a cross-sectional study for environmental health (EH) professionals in Montana as a follow-up to a needs assessment conducted in 2020 by the Montana Public Health Workforce Development Group. A 57-question survey was developed to deepen the understanding of the profession regarding demographics, work status and position, education and licensure, work prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, professional preparation and continuing education, job satisfaction, recruitment and retention, and emerging issues. The survey was administered electronically in 2022 to all health departments in Montana and had a 74% response rate. The results revealed that most EH professionals in Montana are predominately White. Respondents reported being adequately trained but highlighted that additional training would be beneficial. Job-related stress, staffing levels, and salary levels were identified as areas of concern. Furthermore, respondents reported that they are otherwise fulfilled by the purposeful nature of their jobs. Our study was successful in capturing an updated view of the challenges facing EH professionals in Montana. Using these findings, the Montana Environmental Health Association and the Montana Public Health Training Center are developing training solutions for these professionals.