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Emergency response coordinator

Also called aid worker, charity coordinator, disaster coordinator

Emergency response coordinators analyse potential risks such as disasters and emergencies for a community or institution and develop a strategy for reacting to these risks. They outline guidelines for the response to an emergency in order to decrease the effects. They educate the parties at risk on these guidelines. They also test response plans and ensure that the necessary supplies and equipments are in place in compliance with health and safety regulations.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 9 countries now. 37 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Health professionalsWhat does it pay?Well above averageFrom about €1,800 (Bulgaria) to €9,700 (Luxembourg) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Health professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree9 in 10 have a degree.Health professionalsWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Environmental and occupational health and hygiene professionals · ILO

What you'd do

Environmental and occupational health and hygiene professionals · ILO
  • Developing, implementing and reviewing programmes and policies to minimize potential environmental and occupational risks to health and safety
  • Preparing and implementing plans and strategies for the safe, economic and suitable disposal of commercial, industrial, medical and household wastes
  • Implementing prevention programmes and strategies for communicable diseases, food safety, waste water treatment and disposal systems, recreation and domestic water quality, contaminated and hazardous substances
  • Identifying, reporting and documenting hazards, and assessing and controlling risks in the environment and workplace and advising on compliance with relevant law and regulations
  • Developing, implementing and monitoring programmes to minimize workplace and environmental pollution involving chemical, physical and biological hazards
  • Advising on methods to prevent, eliminate, control or reduce the exposure of workers, students, the public and the environment to radiological and other hazards
  • Promoting ergonomic principles within the workplace such as matching furniture, equipment and work activities to the needs of employees
  • Providing education, information, training and advice to persons at all levels on aspects of occupational hygiene and environmental health
  • Recording and investigating injuries and equipment damage, and reporting safety performance
  • Coordinating arrangements for the compensation, rehabilitation and return to work of injured workers
Educate on emergency managementTest safety strategiesAdvise on environmental risk management systemsAdvise on risk managementPerform risk analysis+ 4 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Lots of contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines now and then
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Emergency Management Directors"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

9 EU countries are short of environmental and occupational health and hygiene professionals now, and many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as health professionals in the EU
5.11m6.39m7.07m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
549,000 new jobs 1,888,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Health professionals37
All jobs29
Right now
9 of 27 countries report a shortage of environmental and occupational health and hygiene professionals, 7 a surplus.
Environmental and occupational health and hygiene professionals · EURES

What does it pay?

Well above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,800 a month (Bulgaria) to €9,700 (Luxembourg), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in law is the usual route.

Highest qualification of health professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 86%Vocational 12%General secondary 1%Basic schooling 1%
Field that teaches it
Law
Vocational route, EU
Fewer than 1 in 10 trainees in this field
Business and law graduates in a matching job
66% in the EU

1,314 institutions in the EU offer business and law bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.28 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 10 tasks
Preparing and implementing plans and strategies for the safe, economic and suitable disposal of commercial, industrial, medical and household wastes0.36
Providing education, information, training and advice to persons at all levels on aspects of occupational hygiene and environmental health0.36
Coordinating arrangements for the compensation, rehabilitation and return to work of injured workers0.28
Advising on methods to prevent, eliminate, control or reduce the exposure of workers, students, the public and the environment to radiological and other hazards0.28
Developing, implementing and reviewing programmes and policies to minimize potential environmental and occupational risks to health and safety0.27
Implementing prevention programmes and strategies for communicable diseases, food safety, waste water treatment and disposal systems, recreation and domestic water quality, contaminated and hazardous substances0.26
Recording and investigating injuries and equipment damage, and reporting safety performance0.26
Identifying, reporting and documenting hazards, and assessing and controlling risks in the environment and workplace and advising on compliance with relevant law and regulations0.24
Developing, implementing and monitoring programmes to minimize workplace and environmental pollution involving chemical, physical and biological hazards0.24
Promoting ergonomic principles within the workplace such as matching furniture, equipment and work activities to the needs of employees0.23

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for environmental and occupational health and hygiene professionals. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).