Career Overview
Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.
Also Known As
- Environmental Programs Specialist
- Environmental Protection Specialist
- Environmental Scientist
- Environmental Specialist
Alternate Job Titles
- Air Analyst
- Ecological Modeler
- Environmental Analyst
- Environmental Consultant
- Environmental Designer
- Environmental Health and Safety Specialist (EHS Specialist)
- Environmental Health Specialist
- Environmental Permitting Specialist
- Environmental Planner
- Environmental Programs Specialist
- Environmental Project Specialist
- Environmental Protection Specialist
- Environmental Resources Specialist
- Environmental Safety Specialist
- Environmental Scientist
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
- Monitor effects of pollution or land degradation and recommend means of prevention or control.
- Collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.
- Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
- Provide scientific or technical guidance, support, coordination, or oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.
- Process and review environmental permits, licenses, or related materials.
- Conduct environmental audits or inspections or investigations of violations.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- English Language
- Biology
- Customer and Personal Service
- Law and Government
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Science
- Complex Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Coordination
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Inductive Reasoning
- Category Flexibility
- Information Ordering
- Speech Recognition
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Cautiousness
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Recognition
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Illustrator
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Bentley MicroStation
- C++
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
Tools & Equipment
- Aerosol spectrometers
- Air quality dataloggers
- Air/soil temperature sensors
- Airboats
- All terrain vehicles ATV
- Ambient air quality monitoring systems
- Ammonia meters
- Analog survey meters
- Anemometers
- Atmospheric deposition collectors
- Automatic samplers
- Bailers
- Bomb samplers
- Bottom dredge samplers
- Carbon monoxide meters
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Spend Time Sitting
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $50,130 |
| Median | $80,060 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $134,830 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 84,930
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $78,420
Environmental Engineers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $104,170
Industrial Ecologists
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $80,060
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $49,490
Conservation Scientists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $67,950
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.