Environmental Specialist Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an environmental specialist. Feel free to use our environmental specialist job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an environmental specialist.
Who is an Environmental Specialist?
An environmental specialist examines the impact of a person’s lifestyle on the natural environment. He identifies problematic areas and proposes solutions. A large number of environmental specialists are employees of the government who are responsible for ensuring compliance with pertinent regulations regarding soil, air, and water.
The job performed by an environmental specialist greatly depends on the place the specialist is working. Some work as educators, for instance in educating the general public about environmental issues, and also promoting environmental education. Teachers can be employed by schools, and environmental advocacy programs working with all ages of people starting from children being introduced to the topic of environmental protection to seniors being taught new methods to utilize natural resources.
An environmental specialist may also work as a research scientist, conducting studies that are designed to give an understanding of the natural environment and how it is utilized. Certain environmental specialists concentrate on studying pure populations to gain knowledge about the intricate relationships that are present in nature while others are more focused on the interaction between human beings and the natural world. For instance, an environmental specialist could investigate the effect that damming has on rivers, or examine how farming can affect the diversity of plant life.
A few environmental specialists focus on formulating and enforcing policies to safeguard the natural environment. They may be employed by federal agencies that deal with the protection and safety of the environment and private businesses that promote the environment. They may also be spending a lot of time at the office and establishing relationships with companies or individuals as well as governments that are designed to aid the protection of the environment.
Environmental specialists can choose to specialize in a specific field of study, for example, a specific type of ecosystem or distinct subfields in the field of environmental science. In certain situations an environmental group of specialists can collaborate, bringing together their expertise and knowledge to tackle a complicated environmental problem.
There are several kinds of jobs that require an environmental specialist. Specialists can be involved in projects that reduce pollution, usually through recycling industrial waste or aiding industries to use sustainable energy sources. They can also track pollutant levels and devise and implement strategies to reduce the number of pollutants in the natural environment. Construction companies, factories, and government organizations are among the most popular locations for finding environmental specialists positions.
A few of the most popular types of jobs that require environmental expertise are found in factories. In this kind of environment, the environmental expert will investigate how the factory is managed to determine if the factory is causing environmental pollution. They will then work with the company to improve the conditions and increase efficiency. The company may hire the experts full-time or hire an environmental specialist on an individual basis.
Additionally, it is possible to locate environmental specialist jobs in different fields, where specialists are responsible for minimizing the harm caused to our environment. Environmental specialists can examine samples of air or water or soil to determine the kinds of contaminants present within them and the source from which those pollutions originate. When problem areas are identified, the specialists will identify solutions that will help protect the environment from destruction without affecting industries or businesses close by. Working with local businesses, these environmental specialists seek solutions that reduce the impact of industrial activities on the environment as well as improve the practices of industrial production.
Environmental Specialist Job Description
Below are the environmental specialist job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an environmental specialist job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of an environmental specialist include the following:
- Monitor field examinations and report unsafe areas and hazardous materials.
- Creating management-related information systems to identify the locations of hazardous sites as well as chemical inventories and investigation into complaints.
- Creating and suggesting solutions to reduce environmental and pollution hazards.
- Creating and implementing efficient employee training programs to train employees.
- Analyzing the samples of soil, food, and air.
- Conducting research and sharing your findings on the current conditions in the environment.
- Writing clear and precise written reports on field inspections.
- Developing spill prevention programs and regulations for hazardous waste.
- Taking and testing soil samples and nearby water sources.
- Examining the impact that certain processes can impact the environment
- Reviewing permit applications
- Making reports and legal documents.
- Investigating complaints of employees regarding exposure to hazardous materials
- Making sure that clients comply with the local, regional and federal environmental laws
- Establishing and maintaining the standard operating procedures that are in line with the environmental compliance
- Understanding the risk of environmental disturbance and contacting the environmental regulatory authorities for assistance in compliance
- Assisting environmental compliance experts in the creation and development of reports on environmental regulations as well as the process of submitting them to regulatory organizations
- Monitoring and evaluating the operations of the organization’s facilities in compliance with the regulations and laws of the state, local, and federal authorities
- Updating specifications and plans for managing the chemical hazards as well as backup plans in the event of emergencies such as spills that happen accidentally and training workers to manage the cleanup process safely.
- Assisting in the preparation of presentation documents for emergency preparedness classes for workers and employees
- Facilitating workshops and seminars to train employees and creating the emergency management exercises
- Analyzing internal staff studies to ensure the implementation of environmental regulations to ensure compliance with regulations
- Creating the documents and reports on compliance, and then submitting these to regulatory authorities.
- Designing the management information systems that can identify the locations of materials that could be hazardous, and tracking the maintenance of the same
- Supervising the work of all employees of the company as well as contractors outside the organization who handle the material that is hazardous and conducting an investigation into any complaints made by employees about those dangerous substances
- Staying up-to-date with the latest developments in environmental safety, the latest legislation is implemented in states, federal, or local regulatory bodies under the environmental protection act, as well as the related program areas that they are assigned to.
- Coordinating with the waste management program’s developer and other regulatory agencies, as well as offering advice and assistance to them in their areas of expertise.
Qualifications
The most basic qualification required for this position is the completion of a bachelor’s education in the field of environmental sciences or other relevant fields like physical science or environmental engineering. Additionally, environmental specialists should also be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of hazardous waste and hazardous substances that are found in industrial environments as well as some experience managing and evaluating the extent of the dangers posed by these materials.
The job description requires you to be exposed to hazardous substances and be in constant contact with them, therefore those who have experience in working in this setting are preferred as they know the dangers that are involved in the work.
Essential Skills
- Analytical Skills
Analytical capabilities can be defined as the ability to break down data into more understandable terms for you to come to an answer. Environmental specialists invest a lot of time analyzing data from field research. Analytical skills allow you to analyze these data to discover ways to improve the environment.
- Interpersonal skills
Having these skills will help you with the ability to talk, listen, and engage with others. Environmental specialists utilize this ability when working in teams with engineers, scientists, and technicians.
- Problem Solving Skills
This refers to the ability to pinpoint a problem and find solutions and implement them. Environmental specialists utilize their skills in problem-solving to come up with affordable solutions to public health and environmental issues.
- Attention to details
Your focus on details will allow you to stay thorough and exact when working. Environmental specialists have to be vigilant when analyzing a place when collecting field data or conducting inspections.
- Critical thinking abilities
Scientific reasoning is a crucial aspect of the profession and is the reason why critical thinking is vital. Environmental specialists must be able of assessing the dangers of environmental pollution and devise efficient solutions.
- Technical skills
Environmental specialists usually employ specific software designed for industrial use, such as the planning of resources, reports generation, and data entry.
- Knowledge of the industry
Industrial knowledge is seen to be the single most crucial technical ability for employees to possess. This is the case whether you are trying to land that first position in the field of environmental or had been working for a time in the field. Environmental work can span many industries, and keeping up to date with changes happening in these sectors is considered essential.
- Research and development
The skills of research and development are valuable in a variety of environmental work positions. With the rapid advances in technology that we’re witnessing, the need to demonstrate your expertise in research and development can aid in preparing you for successful employment.
The environmental industry is experiencing rapid advances in technology that are being utilized to address environmental problems. The development of skills in research and development can open up a variety of career opportunities.
How to Become an Environmental Specialist
- Earn an undergraduate degree.
When companies are in search of specialists in the field of environment, they usually prefer candidates with a minimum of bachelor’s level in biology or physical sciences. Common undergraduate degrees include geosciences, natural science engineering, and geosciences. There is also a bachelor’s program in environmental health that will cover the law on environmental protection, occupational safety ergonomics, and environmental laws compliance.
- Look for an opportunity to work.
Experience in the workplace helps you build the necessary skills to succeed as an environmental professional. While studying, you’ll need to gain hands-on experience by doing field and laboratory activities. Certain programs may also provide internships where you can apply your learning to real-world situations. It is possible to seek internships through organizations like those the American Public Health Association or the National Environmental Health Association. During your internship, you must improve your interpersonal and technical abilities since employers tend to hire people with excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Get a master’s degree.
If you can get an environmental specialist position with only one degree, you may think about pursuing an advanced master’s degree in the field of environmental science. The master’s program builds upon the skills you’ve acquired from the bachelor’s degree and will focus on a specific field of environmental science. Graduate programs typically depend on the subject you choose to focus on however, you’ll usually take courses in areas that include waste management as well as environmental risk management forest ecology, epidemiology, as well as climate change.
- Get certified.
Certain jobs require training and are regulated by The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In some cases, this type of training comes with a certificate. Certification can also prove the level of your education and skills which makes your application stand out from that of other applicants. A lot of environmental professionals choose to earn the certification of a registered environmental specialist that is administered through the National Environmental Health Association. It is necessary to pass a test that proves your competence in a range of environmental concerns.
- Find an entry-level job.
When you’ve completed your university degree, you will be able to apply for a range of environmental specialist positions in private labs, companies, and consulting companies. A majority of these jobs require you to work in an office or lab. The experience you have acquired through internships will be useful as you can include this knowledge in your resume. A lot of environmental specialists begin as laboratory researchers or technicians and progress to project or lab manager positions after they have gained enough knowledge.
Where to Work as an Environmental Specialist
Environmental specialists are employed primarily in offices and laboratories. Certain environmental specialists work on the field, collecting data as well as observing environmental issues and conditions. Many environmental specialists are full-time workers for government agencies and organizations. Some of them are also employed in private practice as consultants to companies and government agencies.
Other places where an environmental specialist can work are:
- Manufacturing companies
- Environmental consultancy
- Local government
- Environmental agencies
- Wildlife conservation groups
- Universities
Environmental Specialist Salary Scale
The average national pay of an environmental Specialist is $44,189 annually in the United States.