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Environmental scientist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
Quoted experts
Dr. Becky A. Ball,
Dr. Eban Goodstein
Environmental scientist example skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical environmental scientist skills. We ranked the top skills for environmental scientists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 5.3% of environmental scientist resumes contained environmental compliance as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an environmental scientist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 environmental scientist skills for your resume and career

1. Environmental Compliance

Environmental compliance means to fulfill official environmental requirements. It comprises environmental rules, laws, and regulations, and permits regarding which sites to operate. Environmental concerns have raised compliances across the globe. Environmental compliance includes managing and monitoring the required permits for correct parameters, performing and processing calculations, generate daily compliance reports, and record data with compliance to any risk alert

Here's how environmental scientists use environmental compliance:
  • Supported the execution of nationwide environmental compliance and EMS auditing; prepared detailed technical reports based on audit information and results.
  • Prepare regulatory reports utilizing a working knowledge of federal and state rules regulations to ensure environmental compliance with applicable laws.

2. Data Collection

Data collection means to analyze and collect all the necessary information. It helps in carrying out research and in storing important and necessary information. The most important goal of data collection is to gather the information that is rich and accurate for statistical analysis.

Here's how environmental scientists use data collection:
  • Performed data collection and analysis and prepared technical reports for ecological and water resource studies, environmental assessments and permit applications.
  • Revolutionized real time data collection and manipulation through continuous development and implementation of ERT's Viper Data Management System.

3. GIS

A geographic information system (GIS) is a tool for capturing, storing, manipulating, analyzing, managing and presenting various forms of geographic data.

Here's how environmental scientists use gis:
  • Utilized GIS software to calculate environmental impacts for linear construction utility projects as well as substation construction projects.
  • Integrated GPS locations into GIS database linked to regulatory compliance officers.

4. OSHA

Here's how environmental scientists use osha:
  • Observed construction practices on-site for general safety in accordance with specific OSHA regulations.
  • Developed Health and Safety Plans and safety evaluations according to OSHA requirements.

5. Technical Reports

Technical reports are a type of document that is used to indicate either the progress, result, or process of scientific research or the state of problems occurring within such research. A technical report may also showcase the report's overall conclusion and may also include recommendations. This kind of report does not require a peer review and isn't published officially but distributed within the organizations where it was formed.

Here's how environmental scientists use technical reports:
  • Developed research plans and peer-reviewed several EPA documents, extramural technical reports and acted as a peer-reviewer for reputed scientific journals.
  • Prepared regulatory technical reports for activities including groundwater monitoring, monitored natural attenuation, corrective measure studies, and subsurface investigations.

6. Oversight

Having oversight of someone means to monitor a process or a situation. If someone has oversight of something, they are responsible for the completion of the project. Oversight is usually given to experts as they monitor their juniors or newbies as they go through a project.

Here's how environmental scientists use oversight:
  • Provided environmental technical oversight and risk management of AIG Sun America Corporation's affordable housing development projects across the United States.
  • Prepare Statement of Work, cost estimates and assumptions, and provide quality assurance oversight of environmental investigations and remedial actions.

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7. HAZWOPER

Here's how environmental scientists use hazwoper:
  • Level Safety Coordinator responsible for confined space entry training and coordination of HAZWOPER training.
  • Obtained HAZWOPER 40 and completed safety courses in many Houston area plants.

8. GPS

GPS stands from Global Positioning System. It is a navigation system comprising of satellites that helps in determining the location, velocity, and synchronize time data for different modes of travel like air, sea, or land.

Here's how environmental scientists use gps:
  • Accumulated GPS points for soil monitoring and contamination prevention.
  • Performed underground utility locating and GPS mapping.

9. EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a US-based organization established to sustain and improve the environmental and human health standards across the United States. EPA was established by US President Richard Nixon by executive order in December 1970. The EPA formulates laws and releases guidelines to promote the health of individuals and the ecosystem.

Here's how environmental scientists use epa:
  • Assisted in development of work plans and provided assistance to EPA for subsequent remediation of contaminated sites and abandoned industrial facilities.
  • Retrieve and review EPA Quarterly Noncompliance Report and other EPA provided public reports to ensure accurate interpretation of regulatory compliance data.

10. Project Management

Here's how environmental scientists use project management:
  • Serve as an ecologist/environmental scientist providing project management, direction, and technical expertise in an advisory capacity when appropriate.
  • Provided project management and remedial investigation support for expedient contaminant recovery at a former railroad yard in the Midwest.

11. Water Quality

Here's how environmental scientists use water quality:
  • Develop staff reports and Basin Plan Amendments to establish water quality objectives and develop implementation plans to achieve objectives.
  • Participated in various field assignments, including natural resources and water quality investigations and Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments.

12. Environmental Site Assessments

Here's how environmental scientists use environmental site assessments:
  • Conducted environmental site assessments/investigations and asbestos inspections.
  • Conducted Phase I Environmental Site Assessments for clients to identify environmental hazards or contaminants on properties they considered purchasing and redeveloping.

13. Environmental Regulations

Here's how environmental scientists use environmental regulations:
  • Consulted directly with natural gas land agents and private land owners to accurately guide impending developments with the appropriate environmental regulations.
  • Reviewed maps of various type for potential wind turbine energy sites in an effort to ensure compatibility with environmental regulations.

14. Technical Support

Technical support or tech support are the services provided by any hardware or software company to users. They help in solving the technical difficulties the customers face with their products or services. Moreover, the tech support employees maintain, manage, and repair the IT faults. They are also responsible for resolving the network problems, installing and configuring hardware and software.

Here's how environmental scientists use technical support:
  • Provided regulatory/technical support to environmental law enforcement personnel during planning, field execution, and litigation phases of criminal investigations.
  • Provided technical support to settlement and litigation activities stemming from initiated Administrative Orders and Civil Judicial Referrals.

15. Data Analysis

Here's how environmental scientists use data analysis:
  • Perform data analysis and compile reports including biological, summary data, and landowner reports utilizing Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.
  • Performed data analysis including horizontal and vertical mass distribution calculations, hydraulic gradient calculations, and estimated time to cleanup calculations.
top-skills

What skills help Environmental Scientists find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on environmental scientist resumes?

Dr. Becky A. Ball

Associate Professor, School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences Senior Sustainability Scientist, Global Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State University

The environmental field is very broad, so the skills that stand out best depend on the career field, but in general, the skills I see most frequently listed on job ads are skills in geographic spatial analysis (GIS), statistical analyses and data handling, hands-on experience with field techniques for working with plants and wildlife, and experience with NEPA and other related environmental regulations. (That's why we have built all of these skills directly into our Environmental Science degree coursework!)

What soft skills should all environmental scientists possess?

Dr. Eban Goodstein

Director, Bard College

Networking.

What hard/technical skills are most important for environmental scientists?

Dr. Eban Goodstein

Director, Bard College

Solid natural science background, esp ecology, and biogeochemical cycles.

What environmental scientist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Neal O'Reilly Ph.D.Neal O'Reilly Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Director, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Within the federal government agencies, like the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Forestry Service, National Parks, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Geological Survey, and many state agencies such as the state's Departments of Natural Resources, there are many people of retirement age that will be leaving in the next few years. These retirements will open a lot of opportunities for qualified graduates. I believe that jobs will be available in all regions of the country. The key will be for graduates to build their resume, through internships and volunteer opportunities, to show they have the skills for these positions.

What type of skills will young environmental scientists need?

Joe HarrisonJoe Harrison LinkedIn profile

Animal Scientist and Extension Specialist, Washington State University

Critical thinking and the ability to make the best decisions, realizing that they will make better decisions as one gets more experience. A second skill is the ability to navigate conflict in the workplace.

What technical skills for an environmental scientist stand out to employers?

Richard Tollo Ph.D.

Professor of Geology, George Washington University

For geology, scientific reasoning, problem solving, and the ability to communicate are highly desired by employers.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about environmental scientist

List of environmental scientist skills to add to your resume

Environmental scientist skills

The most important skills for an environmental scientist resume and required skills for an environmental scientist to have include:

  • Environmental Compliance
  • Data Collection
  • GIS
  • OSHA
  • Technical Reports
  • Oversight
  • HAZWOPER
  • GPS
  • EPA
  • Project Management
  • Water Quality
  • Environmental Site Assessments
  • Environmental Regulations
  • Technical Support
  • Data Analysis
  • Federal Regulations
  • Hazardous Waste
  • Air Quality
  • Asbestos
  • Regulatory Agencies
  • Data Management
  • Surface Water
  • Water ACT
  • Hazardous Materials
  • ArcGIS
  • RCRA
  • Laboratory Analysis
  • Environmental Projects
  • Pollution Prevention
  • Phase II
  • ASTM
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Groundwater Samples
  • Autocad
  • Remediation Projects
  • Oil Gas
  • Environmental Policy
  • Cost Estimates
  • Wetland Delineations
  • SPCC
  • Sample Collection
  • Environmental Quality
  • NPDES
  • SWPPP
  • Water Samples
  • Site Inspections
  • Species Surveys
  • Site Investigations
  • Ground Water
  • CFR

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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