How to hire an environmental resource specialist

How to hire an environmental resource specialist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step environmental resource specialist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an environmental resource specialist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new environmental resource specialist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your environmental resource specialist job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an environmental resource specialist for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An environmental resource specialist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, environmental resource specialists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents environmental resource specialist salaries for various positions.

   Type of Environmental Resource Specialist	Description	Hourly rate
   Environmental Resource Specialist	Environmental scientists and specialists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment and human health. They may clean up polluted areas, advise policymakers, or work with industry to reduce waste.	$16-39
   Field Scientist	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... Show more	$25-53
   Environmental Scientist/Geologist	An environmental scientist/geologist's role is to study the earth and its environmental processes. Their responsibilities revolve around gathering samples and data, conducting research and analysis, participating in experiments, and maintaining records of all methods and findings... Show more	$23-39

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Scientific Data
   • Natural Resources
   • GIS
   • NPDES
   • Public Outreach
   • Water Quality
   • Air Quality
   • DEP
   • Water ACT
   • EPA
   • Local Government
   • Environmental Laws
   • Water Resources
   • Management System

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage all compliance recordkeeping, sampling, monitoring, auditing, testing and training activities.
   • Analyze workload patterns and prepare statistical data to reflect findings and inclusion to PowerPoint presentation for decision makers.
   • Conduct document quality analysis on environmental contractor bids submit for Superfund sites through research and background investigation.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your environmental resource specialist job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An environmental resource specialist can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, environmental resource specialists' average salary in alabama is 54% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level environmental resource specialists 59% less than senior-level environmental resource specialists.
   • Certifications. An environmental resource specialist with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an environmental resource specialist's salary.

   Average environmental resource specialist salary

   $53,520yearly

   $25.73 hourly rate

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   Entry-level environmental resource specialist salary

   $34,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 23, 2026

4. Writing an environmental resource specialist job description

   An environmental resource specialist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of an environmental resource specialist job description:

   Environmental resource specialist job description example

   Burns & McDonnell's regional office in Phoenix, AZ \(or Albuquerque, NM\) has a need for a Senior Cultural Resources Specialist to lead project studies and surveys, construction monitoring, archaeological excavation and associated field work on a variety of projects\. We are a 100% employee\-owned firm ranked numerous times on FORTUNE's List of 100 Best Companies to Work For and voted as a Best Place to Work in cities across the United States\.
   
   Primary responsibilities will be to plan, coordinate, communicate and facilitate activities for the cultural resources components of projects from concept through completion\. Successful Senior Cultural Resources Specialists collaborate and coordinate with internal and external clients\. They are also responsible for initiating or assisting in proposal development and contract negotiations and coordinating project planning\. Project planning includes scoping, budgeting, maintaining schedules, communicating and managing deadlines and establishing and performing critical project objectives\.
   
   This position supports the growth of the Environmental Services practice based upon Burns & McDonnell's core values of safety, client satisfaction, commitment, dedication, integrity and overall outstanding service\.
   Specific areas of responsibility may include the following:
   
   + Serving as Client Coordinator for target clients \- client coordinators will take primary responsibility for ultimate delivery of services and client satisfaction
   
   + Identifying project opportunities early and facilitating go/no\-go decisions in cooperation with office leadership and Environmental Services practice leadership
   
   + Identifying new market and client opportunities
   
   + Identifying key projects and facilitate early sales strategies to maximize our chances of being selected
   
   + Supervising field efforts and technical reporting
   
   + Adhering to Burns & McDonnell's Quality Control and Safety programs
   
   + Other duties, as assigned\.
   
   This position includes a mix of marketing, strategic planning, field assessments, report preparation, and some travel\. The senior cultural resources specialist will also provide leadership, guidance and instruction to less experienced staff members\.
   
   **Qualifications**
   
   + Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited program required\.
   
   + Master's Degree in anthropology/archeology or related field is highly preferred\. Completion of a master's degree in a related field may be substituted for one year of experience\.
   
   + Minimum 8 years of related experience conducting construction monitoring activities; field investigations, surveys and project studies; archaeological excavation, artifact identification and associated field work\.
   
   + Experience in the Southwest and other western states
   
   + Permitted with Forest Service, BLM, and other entities
   
   + Prior consulting experience a plus\.
   
   + Knowledge of federal and state regulations relating to historic preservation such as the National Historic Preservation Act\.
   
   + Knowledge of anthropology and archaeology methods and practices\.
   
   + Must have strong analytical and problem\-solving skills\.
   
   + Excellent written and verbal communication skills, specifically for preparation of technical reports and proposal writing, are required\.
   
   + Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member\.
   
   + High level of attention to detail\.
   
   + Ability to operate various types of GPS equipment\.
   
   + Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office \(Excel, Word, Outlook, Access, SharePoint\)\.
   
   + Ability to adjust to rapidly changing work environments and research approaches\.
   
   + Willingness to travel\.
   
   + Valid driver's license required\. In addition, must meet standards to qualify for and maintain the Company's vehicle driving privileges as outlined in the Company's Motor Vehicle Safety Policy\.
   
   EEO/Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans
   
   **Job** Scientific
   
   **Primary Location** US\-AZ\-Phoenix
   
   **Other Locations** US\-NM\-Albuquerque
   
   **Schedule:** Full\-time
   
   **Travel:** Yes, 20 % of the Time
   
   
   \#LI\-JJ \#ENS

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5. Post your job

   To find environmental resource specialists for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any environmental resource specialists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level environmental resource specialists with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your environmental resource specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit environmental resource specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with environmental resource specialist candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new environmental resource specialist

   Once you have selected a candidate for the environmental resource specialist position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new environmental resource specialist. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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