What does an environmental programs specialist do?
Environmental program specialists ensure that all environmental protocols and standards are followed in the work area. They work with janitorial services to ensure that cleanliness is maintained and wastes are correctly disposed of. If the standards have not been followed, they investigate and report it to the administration and assess the event's effect on the environment. They also conduct hands-on experiments to look for issues and provide remedies according to environmental standards.
Environmental programs specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real environmental programs specialist resumes:
- 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.
- Collect soil and groundwater samples; conduct environmental reviews and investigations; and perform oversight activities for various environmental management activities.
- Coordinate a restoration and conservation grant program locating, surveying and controlling invasive wetland species.
Environmental programs specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Environmental Programs Specialists are proficient in Environmental Quality, Environmental Regulations, and EPA. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Environmental Programs Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Environmental Quality, 14%
Presented applications for mining permit and reclamation bond release and recommendations for enforcement actions before Commission on Environmental Quality.
- Environmental Regulations, 13%
Conduct on-site evaluations of hazardous and universal waste generators (industrial and hospitals) to ensure compliance with applicable environmental regulations.
- EPA, 9%
Provide guidance per knowledge of ADEQ Permits and EPA MS4 Permit requirements.
- Water Quality, 7%
Enforced Alaska Water Quality Standards making violators take corrective actions.
- GIS, 6%
Developed GIS datasets, queries and reports from the dBase database.
- Public Health, 6%
Provide local news media with information concerning specific public health and or environmental protection events.
Common skills that an environmental programs specialist uses to do their job include "environmental quality," "environmental regulations," and "epa." You can find details on the most important environmental programs specialist responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for an environmental programs specialist to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what environmental programs specialists do because "environmental scientists and specialists base their conclusions on careful analysis of scientific data." Additionally, an environmental programs specialist resume shows how environmental programs specialists use analytical skills: "segregated incoming waste, analyzed unknowns, supervised staff and prepared statistical reports. "
Communication skills. Many environmental programs specialist duties rely on communication skills. "environmental scientists and specialists may need to present and explain their findings to audiences of varying backgrounds and write technical reports.," so an environmental programs specialist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways environmental programs specialist responsibilities rely on communication skills: "produced material safety data sheet booklet and delivered osha hazard communication compliance presentation to district staff. "
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for environmental programs specialists to perform their duties. For an example of how environmental programs specialist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "environmental scientists and specialists try to find the best possible solution to problems that affect the environment and people’s health." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an environmental programs specialist: "investigated and resolved over 500 citizen complaints regarding potential public health problems. ".
The three companies that hire the most environmental programs specialists are:
- State of Arizona2 environmental programs specialists jobs
- QTS
1 environmental programs specialists jobs
- Alaska State Library1 environmental programs specialists jobs
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Compare different environmental programs specialists
Environmental programs specialist vs. Technical fellow
The duties of a field scientist depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In general, their responsibilities typically include conducting studies and scientific research, visiting various sites to observe and gather samples, performing laboratory analyses and experiments, maintaining records of all operations, and coming up with conclusions from the research findings. When it comes to employment opportunities, a field scientist may work for learning institutions, government agencies, and private companies, where they usually work together with other scientists and experts.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an environmental programs specialist are more likely to require skills like "environmental quality," "environmental regulations," "water quality," and "gis." On the other hand, a job as a technical fellow requires skills like "sql," "statistical analysis," "intellectual property," and "photoshop." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Technical fellows really shine in the automotive industry with an average salary of $75,007. Comparatively, environmental programs specialists tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $78,010.technical fellows tend to reach similar levels of education than environmental programs specialists. In fact, technical fellows are 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 13.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Environmental programs specialist vs. Water quality analyst
Specialists are employees who are responsible for specific tasks or activities in the department they are assigned to. The actions or tasks they work on are related to their educational background or work experiences. They are usually highly skilled in specializations related to the work they are assigned to. Specialists are also highly trained on the competencies that are required of their specialty. As such, they are focused on the skills and competencies that are needed to enhance their experience in their specific field further.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, environmental programs specialist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "environmental quality," "environmental regulations," "water quality," and "gis." Meanwhile, a water quality analyst has duties that require skills in areas such as "laboratory equipment," "laboratory procedures," "water quality samples," and "water quality analysis." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
In general, water quality analysts achieve similar levels of education than environmental programs specialists. They're 4.4% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 13.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for environmental programs specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Mike Mooring Ph.D.
Professor, Point Loma Nazarene University
Environmental programs specialist vs. Field scientist
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an environmental programs specialist is likely to be skilled in "environmental quality," "environmental regulations," "public health," and "technical assistance," while a typical field scientist is skilled in "field testing," "geotechnical," "asbestos," and "storm water."
Field scientists earn the best pay in the internet industry, where they command an average salary of $78,711. Environmental programs specialists earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $78,010.Most field scientists achieve a lower degree level compared to environmental programs specialists. For example, they're 10.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Environmental programs specialist vs. Specialist
Types of environmental programs specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
