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What is an environmental programs specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted experts
Shannon Farrell Ph.D.,
Richard Tollo Ph.D.
introduction image

An environmental programs specialist is an individual who plans, oversees, and performs technical and professional activity in environmental health protection plans. It is environment-oriented to determine and evaluate environmental health status and resolution of health hazards.

They are responsible for carrying out different research works and also making a comprehensive report. The specialist also makes relevant recommendations that would better the lives of people in an environment.

They train those under them by supervising them when they are involved in their different on-the-job training.

Environmental programs specialists must have a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in physical science, hydrology, biological science, environmental science, geology, or any related field. Professionals in this field make an average salary of $47,568 per annum.

What general advice would you give to an environmental programs specialist?

Shannon Farrell Ph.D.Shannon Farrell Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Your career path is not likely to be one step after another in the same prescribed direction. In today's unique circumstances, be prepared to be flexible, open-minded, and alert for new and unexpected opportunities. Be ready to take multiple jobs in sequence - it is exceedingly rare these days that one finds their 'forever' long term job right off the bat and right out of undergrad. Try things, test, experiment - identifying what spheres of work you like and what spheres you don't like is all a valuable part of data gathering and adaptively moving forward.

If it is hard to find a job in your ideal field, find jobs that provide the opportunity for developing crossover skills: technical and field skills, research skills, writing skills, communication, or management skills. Leverage opportunities to improve and display your executive function skills - planning, organizing, managing, leadership, mentorship, etc. These can all be valuable efforts, even when you aren't working in your preferred scientific field. Be your advocate - make contacts, network, ask for advice, don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone (it may be uncomfortable, but you will survive!)
ScoreEnvironmental Programs SpecialistUS Average
Salary
4.3

Avg. Salary $55,129

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.7

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.77%

Asian 5.03%

Black or African American 3.09%

Hispanic or Latino 6.19%

Unknown 3.68%

White 81.24%

Gender

female 47.83%

male 52.17%

Age - 37
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 37
Stress level
5.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.7

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Environmental programs specialist career paths

Key steps to become an environmental programs specialist

  1. Explore environmental programs specialist education requirements

    Most common environmental programs specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    71.4 %

    Master's

    18.8 %

    Associate

    4.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific environmental programs specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Environmental Quality13.85%
    Environmental Regulations12.88%
    EPA9.28%
    Water Quality6.92%
    GIS6.28%
  3. Complete relevant environmental programs specialist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New environmental programs specialists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an environmental programs specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real environmental programs specialist resumes.
  4. Research environmental programs specialist duties and responsibilities

    • Lead numerous consultation meetings with USACE, BOEM, USCG, NMFS, USFWS and other state and federal agencies.
    • Develop GIS datasets, queries and reports from the dBase database.
    • Develop GIS database and produce GIS products with Esri products for direct use in statewide drinking water assessment program.
    • Use diagnostic tools for troubleshooting, identify and repairing air quality ambient monitoring equipment and meteorological instruments according to EPA standards.
  5. Prepare your environmental programs specialist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your environmental programs specialist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an environmental programs specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable environmental programs specialist resume templates

    Build a professional environmental programs specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your environmental programs specialist resume.
    Environmental Programs Specialist Resume
    Environmental Programs Specialist Resume
    Environmental Programs Specialist Resume
    Environmental Programs Specialist Resume
    Environmental Programs Specialist Resume
    Environmental Programs Specialist Resume
    Environmental Programs Specialist Resume
    Environmental Programs Specialist Resume
    Environmental Programs Specialist Resume
  6. Apply for environmental programs specialist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an environmental programs specialist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first environmental programs specialist job

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Average environmental programs specialist salary

The average environmental programs specialist salary in the United States is $55,129 per year or $27 per hour. Environmental programs specialist salaries range between $35,000 and $84,000 per year.

Average environmental programs specialist salary
$55,129 Yearly
$26.50 hourly

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How do environmental programs specialists rate their job?

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Environmental programs specialist reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2021
Pros

Firstly, the most important is to protect our planet for us and the future generations. Secondly our planet is not going to support the pressure and negative impacts because of the big Increased human population . Finally our planet needs more and more environmental specialists to regulate and control all human activities, especially the ilegal ones.

Cons

I don’t like when big companies they know what’s wrong and what’s right, but still the destroy, like cutting trees in Brazil and the other side big companies even knowing those trees are ilegal, but still they continuing to porches. There for I can’t understand and I don’t like.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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