What does an environmental chemist do?
Environmental chemists are chemistry experts who conduct research or experiments about the effects of chemicals on the environment and human activities. These chemists are required to monitor the source and extent of pollution and contamination, especially the compounds that can affect human health. They are involved in the analytical testing of new products developed in the lab while ensuring the safety of their workplace by issuing safety guidelines. Environmental chemists are also required to express ideas effectively to a non-scientific audience.
Environmental chemist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real environmental chemist resumes:
- Manage storage of hazardous waste for compliance with RCRA regulations.
- Manage and operate mobile laboratories analyzing a wide range of samples utilizing USEPA SW846 GC/MS and HPLC methods.
- Achieve expertise with hydrogenations and catalysts, low temp reactions, TLC, reactions done with UV and infrare lights.
- Achieve expertise with organic techniques like steam distillation, recrystallization, vacuum sublimation/distillation.
- Administer various laboratory safety audits with regard to OSHA rules and regulations to maintain adherence and manage necessary corrective actions.
- Conduct analysis of heavy metals in environmental soil and water samples using ICP-OES and ICP-MS
- Designate company representative in matters associate with EPA, USDA and FDA.
- Create site safety plans and initiatives in line with OSHA and RCRA guidelines.
- Used HPLC, UV/VIS, IR, pycnometer, refractometer, viscometer (various types).
- Perform routine lab testing of laundry detergent including HPLC analysis, pH, titrations, viscosity, etc.
- Utilize a wide range of labor techniques and equipment including the LECO TruMac CN, gas chromatography, and near-infrare spectroscopy.
- Used a variety of automate instrumentation including gas chromatography to analyze environmental groundwater and soil samples.
- Experience with cGMP and GLP.
- Maintain MSDS and safety of the laboratory.
- Used IR and UV-VIS for spectral analyses.
Environmental chemist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Environmental Chemists are proficient in Data Validation, GC, and Ms. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Environmental Chemists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Data Validation, 8%
Create client-specific data validation reports.
- GC, 6%
Gained experience with analyzing the prepped samples using the GC, GC/MS for the appropriate compounds.
- Ms, 6%
Advanced knowledge of CAD, MS Office (Excel, Word Processing, Power Point).
- Laboratory Equipment, 6%
Calibrated laboratory equipment; ensured equipment was within testing parameters.
- ICP-MS, 5%
Tested water and soil samples for metals content utilizing ICP and ICP-MS.
- Environmental Samples, 5%
Perform analysis of environmental samples, maintaining proficiency and records in accordance with certified laboratory practice.
"data validation," "gc," and "ms" are among the most common skills that environmental chemists use at work. You can find even more environmental chemist responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for an environmental chemist to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what environmental chemists do because "chemists and materials scientists need to evaluate the results of experiments to ensure accuracy in their research." Additionally, an environmental chemist resume shows how environmental chemists use analytical skills: "analyzed soil, water and air quality problems by reviewing regulatory information. "
Communication skills. Many environmental chemist duties rely on communication skills. "chemists and materials scientists must be able to convey information clearly in reports and presentations for both technical and nontechnical audiences.," so an environmental chemist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways environmental chemist responsibilities rely on communication skills: "advance technical reporting skills for effective communication and presentation of results and conclusions. "
Math skills. This is an important skill for environmental chemists to perform their duties. For an example of how environmental chemist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "chemists and materials scientists regularly use calculus, algebra, statistics, and other math for calculations." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an environmental chemist: "conducted quantitative and qualitative analysis of pharmaceutical and nutrapharmaceutical products according to fda, cgmp and boston analytical guidelines. ".
Organizational skills. For certain environmental chemist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "organizational skills." The day-to-day duties of an environmental chemist rely on this skill, as "chemists and materials scientists must document processes carefully when conducting experiments, tracking outcomes, and analyzing results." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what environmental chemists do: "well versed in implementing standard operating procedures, organizational policies, and analytical methodologies accurately and consistently. "
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for an environmental chemist to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what environmental chemists relies on this skill, since "chemists’ and materials scientists’ work involves posing questions during research and finding answers through results." How this skill relates to environmental chemist duties can be seen in an example from an environmental chemist resume snippet: "ensured sample chain of custody procedures were observed and resolved issues with analytical data quality as needed. "
Time-management skills. Lastly, "time-management skills" is an important element of what an environmental chemist does. Environmental chemist responsibilities require this skill because "chemists and materials scientists usually need to meet deadlines and must be able to prioritize tasks while maintaining quality." This resume example highlights how environmental chemist duties rely on this skill: "ensured air quality projects were completed correctly, on time and budget. "
The three companies that hire the most environmental chemists are:
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Compare different environmental chemists
Environmental chemist vs. Chemist, development
A development chemist is responsible for delivering products that are specially created for a customer. You will be responsible for conducting qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses for process or quality control. Other tasks that you will perform include researching chemical substances, conducting laboratory experiments, and evaluating the effects of chemical compounds in different situations. Additionally, you will be responsible for determining chemical properties by analyzing compounds and helping resolve quality issues. As a development chemist, you are also responsible for evaluating safety procedures in laboratories and maintaining laboratory equipment.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an environmental chemist are more likely to require skills like "data validation," "gc," "ms," and "icp-ms." On the other hand, a job as a chemist, development requires skills like "r," "product development," "gmp," and "analytical procedures." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Chemists, development really shine in the health care industry with an average salary of $85,660. Comparatively, environmental chemists tend to make the most money in the internet industry with an average salary of $63,523.On average, chemists, development reach similar levels of education than environmental chemists. Chemists, development are 3.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Environmental chemist vs. Quality assurance chemist
Quality Assurance Chemists generally offer pay of around $54K per year and require strong skills in analysis and instrumentation and general knowledge of chemistry, attention to detail, and various organizational skills. Also, they must be able to investigate and analyze problems whenever they crop up. This career choice requires a bachelor's or advanced degree in chemistry, depending on the industry, and will often be offered in pharmaceutical fields, where standard duties consist of the measurement and testing of lab materials and products according to industry standards.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real environmental chemist resumes. While environmental chemist responsibilities can utilize skills like "laboratory equipment," "icp-ms," "environmental samples," and "pcb," quality assurance chemists use skills like "lab equipment," "r," "test results," and "icp."
Quality assurance chemists may earn a higher salary than environmental chemists, but quality assurance chemists earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $84,734. On the other hand, environmental chemists receive higher pay in the internet industry, where they earn an average salary of $63,523.In general, quality assurance chemists achieve similar levels of education than environmental chemists. They're 0.9% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Environmental chemist vs. Research chemist
A research chemist specializes in conducting studies and experiments to develop new products. Their duties primarily focus on conducting research and assessments, gathering and analyzing chemical samples, developing ideas, conducting tests to study chemical reactions, maintaining records of all procedures, and utilizing previous studies. Their research findings can be used to create new medicines, enhance existing products, and lead to innovations. When it comes to employment, a research chemist may work for pharmaceutical companies, private laboratories, government agencies, and learning institutions.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from environmental chemist resumes include skills like "data validation," "gc," "icp-ms," and "environmental samples," whereas a research chemist is more likely to list skills in "r," "analytical chemistry," "polymer," and "organic synthesis. "
Research chemists make a very good living in the energy industry with an average annual salary of $92,565. On the other hand, environmental chemists are paid the highest salary in the internet industry, with average annual pay of $63,523.research chemists typically earn similar educational levels compared to environmental chemists. Specifically, they're 4.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 9.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Environmental chemist vs. Chemist
Chemists are generally responsible for observing and investigating chemical substances to create new and safe compounds essential for practical applications. They are often grouped depending on a particular area of specialization to focus and understand the complexities of the matter. A chemist usually takes time performing research and conducting experiments to test and further improve the quality and usage of a specific chemical substance. Chemists are expected to write on their observations and findings to establish scientific results.
Types of environmental chemist
Updated January 8, 2025
