Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Human Advantage 71%
Significant human skills needed
AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.2 / 10
Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.
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: Air Analyst, Ecological Modeler, Environmental Analyst, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Designer, Environmental Health Specialist, Environmental Health and Safety Specialist (EHS Specialist), Environmental Permitting Specialist +17 more
Core Tasks
- 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.
- Provide advice on proper standards and regulations or the development of policies, strategies, or codes of practice for environmental management.
- Prepare charts or graphs from data samples, providing summary information on the environmental relevance of the data.
- Research sources of pollution to determine their effects on the environment and to develop theories or methods of pollution abatement or control.
- Supervise or train students, environmental technologists, technicians, or other related staff.
- Monitor environmental impacts of development activities.
Supplemental Tasks (10)
- Evaluate violations or problems discovered during inspections to determine appropriate regulatory actions or to provide advice on the development and prosecution of regulatory cases.
- Analyze data to determine validity, quality, and scientific significance and to interpret correlations between human activities and environmental effects.
- Investigate and report on accidents affecting the environment.
- Develop the technical portions of legal documents, administrative orders, or consent decrees.
- Design or direct studies to obtain technical environmental information about planned projects.
- Determine data collection methods to be employed in research projects or surveys.
- Conduct applied research on environmental topics, such as waste control or treatment or pollution abatement methods.
- Develop programs designed to obtain the most productive, non-damaging use of land.
- Plan or develop research models, using knowledge of mathematical and statistical concepts.
- Develop methods to minimize the impact of production processes on the environment, based on the study and assessment of industrial production, environmental legislation, and physical, biological, and social environments.
Education & Training
Job Zone 4 Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: 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.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Relevant College Majors
- Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology CIP 40.0401Weather systems, climate, and atmospheric dynamics.
Technology & Tools
Hot Technologies
Software (64)
Tools & Equipment (83)
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Conservation & Land Management Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 4
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health You are here
Ecological Research & Development Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 3
Forest and Conservation Technicians 79% match
Zone 4
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health You are here
Local, State, & Federal Services Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 2
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks 77% match
Zone 4
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health You are here
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