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4E051 Career Guide

Air Force

4E051: Public Health Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force Public Health Technician (4E051)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 4E051 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

$75K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certificationKnowledge of EPA and OSHA regulations

Food Safety Inspector

$60K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Professional - Food Safety (CP-FS) certificationHACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) training

Infection Control Specialist

$85K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Certification in Infection Control (CIC)Advanced knowledge of epidemiologyClinical experience in a healthcare setting

Occupational Health Specialist

$78K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN) or similar certificationKnowledge of worker's compensation laws

Emergency Management Specialist

$72K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) certificationExperience with disaster planning and responseKnowledge of NIMS (National Incident Management System)

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 4E051 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

As a Public Health Technician, you constantly monitor the environment for potential health hazards, from foodborne illness outbreaks to vector-borne disease risks. You must stay informed about the latest health threats and adapt your strategies accordingly to protect the base population.

This keen awareness translates to an ability to anticipate and respond to changing circumstances in any dynamic environment. You can quickly assess complex situations, identify potential problems, and proactively develop solutions.

Procedural Compliance

Your role requires strict adherence to established protocols for food safety inspections, disease control measures, and occupational health assessments. You ensure all activities are conducted according to regulations and standards, minimizing risks and maintaining a safe environment.

This demonstrates a commitment to accuracy, precision, and following established guidelines. You are adept at understanding and implementing complex procedures, ensuring compliance, and maintaining high standards of quality.

Pattern Recognition

You identify trends and anomalies in health data, such as increases in specific illnesses or unusual environmental factors. This ability to recognize patterns allows you to proactively address potential health crises and implement preventative measures.

This skill highlights your ability to analyze data, identify significant patterns, and draw meaningful conclusions. You can use this talent to predict future trends, identify potential problems, and make informed decisions.

Resource Optimization

You efficiently manage resources, including personnel, equipment, and supplies, to maximize the effectiveness of public health programs. This ensures that limited resources are used strategically to protect the health of the base population.

This demonstrates your ability to make the most of available resources, prioritize needs, and achieve maximum impact with limited means. You are adept at identifying inefficiencies, streamlining processes, and optimizing resource allocation.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

SOC 17-2111

You've been rigorously trained to identify and mitigate health hazards, ensuring a safe environment for military personnel. As an EHS Specialist, you'll apply this expertise to protect workers and the public from environmental risks in various industries. Your experience with regulatory compliance and risk assessment makes you an ideal candidate.

Healthcare Administrator

SOC 11-9111

You've managed public health programs and ensured compliance with medical standards. In healthcare administration, you'll leverage your organizational skills and understanding of healthcare regulations to manage healthcare services and improve patient outcomes.

Regulatory Affairs Specialist

SOC 13-1041

You've consistently worked with strict regulations and protocols. As a Regulatory Affairs Specialist, you’ll ensure that companies comply with relevant laws and regulations, particularly in industries like pharmaceuticals or food production. Your experience with inspections and compliance reporting makes you a natural fit.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Public Health Apprentice Course, Sheppard Air Force Base, TX

672 training hours16 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in Biology, Public Health, and Environmental Science

Topics Covered

  • Food Safety and Defense
  • Sanitation and Facility Inspections
  • Communicable Disease Control
  • Medical Entomology
  • Occupational Health
  • Preventive Health Assessment and Individual Medical Readiness (PIMR)
  • Medical Readiness and Deployment Health

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS)70% covered

Requires study of specific state and local regulations, environmental health principles not covered in depth, and passing the NEHA exam.

Certified Professional in Food Safety (CP-FS)60% covered

Requires studying retail food safety, HACCP principles in depth, and specific food code regulations.

Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist (COHC)75% covered

Requires in-depth knowledge of OSHA hearing conservation program requirements, audiometry techniques, and recordkeeping.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Safety Professional (CSP)Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP)Master of Public Health (MPH)Certified in Public Health (CPH)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System (DOEHRS)Occupational health and safety management software (e.g., Cority, Intelex)
Preventive Health Assessment and Individual Medical Readiness (PIMR) ProgramElectronic Health Record (EHR) systems and patient portals (e.g., Epic, Cerner)
Tri-Service Food CodeFDA Food Code, local health department regulations
Air Force Medical Readiness Tracking System (AFMRTS)Emergency response and disaster management software (e.g., Juvare)
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programsCommercial pest control management software (e.g., FieldRoutes, PestPac)
Hearing Conservation ProgramOccupational hearing testing and analysis systems (e.g., Tremetrics, Shoebox Audiometry)

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