What does an environmental scientist do?
Environmental scientists are responsible for analyzing environmental issues and creating their solutions. They protect the environment together with human health by using their understanding of natural science. It is their job to advise policy-makers, work with industry professionals to reduce waste, and clean up polluted areas. Also, they assess environmental risks and research to guide businesses, government administrators, as well as the general public on probable environmental threats and health risks. Additionally, they ensure that these entities follow the environmental regulations and policies to help minimize their environmental impact on the ecosystem.
Environmental scientist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real environmental scientist resumes:
- Manage matters relate to CERCLA, RCRA, CWA, OPA, ESA and land use issues.
- Lead a team of brain cancer immunotherapy with CTLA-4 or PD-L1 antibody conjugate drug.
- Manage hazardous waste, biohazardous waste, radioactive waste, industrial hygiene, respirator protection, and MSDS database.
- Lead numerous consultation meetings with USACE, BOEM, USCG, NMFS, USFWS and other state and federal agencies.
- Develop and manage company EHS compliance processes in accordance with current and upcoming regulatory mandates.
- Review all operation plans (SWPPP, SPCC, HAZMAT etc . )
- Provide management and regulatory compliance on hazardous materials incidents including disposal oversight of wastes generate in the remediation phase.
- Follow safety, cGMP, DEA, and FDA regulations.
- Handle and dispose of chemicals using MSDS forms.
- Analyze and design primer sets for PCR validation studies.
- SOP composition, HAZMAT disposal, regulatory enforcement duties.
- Obtain HAZWOPER 40 and complete safety courses in many Houston area plants.
- Perform cancer immunotherapy using IL-2, CTLA-4 and PD-L1 in glioma models.
- Prepare figures, detail geologic cross-sections, and boring logs using gINT software.
- Design pamphlets, prepare displays and PowerPoint presentations to be used at public information meetings.
Environmental scientist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 5% of Environmental Scientists are proficient in Environmental Compliance, Data Collection, and GIS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Observation skills.
We break down the percentage of Environmental Scientists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Environmental Compliance, 5%
Supported the execution of nationwide environmental compliance and EMS auditing; prepared detailed technical reports based on audit information and results.
- Data Collection, 5%
Performed data collection and analysis and prepared technical reports for ecological and water resource studies, environmental assessments and permit applications.
- GIS, 5%
Utilized GIS software to calculate environmental impacts for linear construction utility projects as well as substation construction projects.
- OSHA, 5%
Observed construction practices on-site for general safety in accordance with specific OSHA regulations.
- Technical Reports, 5%
Developed research plans and peer-reviewed several EPA documents, extramural technical reports and acted as a peer-reviewer for reputed scientific journals.
- Oversight, 5%
Provided environmental technical oversight and risk management of AIG Sun America Corporation's affordable housing development projects across the United States.
Common skills that an environmental scientist uses to do their job include "environmental compliance," "data collection," and "gis." You can find details on the most important environmental scientist responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an environmental scientist to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "environmental scientists and specialists base their conclusions on careful analysis of scientific data." Environmental scientists often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "collected water quality samples during qualifying storm events for lab analysis of water quality parameters. "
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform environmental scientist duties is communication skills. Environmental scientists responsibilities require that "environmental scientists and specialists may need to present and explain their findings to audiences of varying backgrounds and write technical reports." Environmental scientists also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "attended meetings and upheld communication daily with construction management to maintain environmental compliance throughout all construction phases of transmission line assembly. "
Problem-solving skills. For certain environmental scientist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of an environmental scientist rely on this skill, as "environmental scientists and specialists try to find the best possible solution to problems that affect the environment and people’s health." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what environmental scientists do: "analyzed and resolved all quality and customer service issues related to mold and air quality. "
The three companies that hire the most environmental scientists are:
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Compare different environmental scientists
Environmental scientist vs. Technical fellow
Natural Resource Specialists are usually employed in a university, conservation center, or research center. As their title suggests, they are in charge of initiatives related to natural resources. They may lead to research projects, fieldwork activities, or conferences related to natural resources' general topic or specialization. Natural resource specialists may specialize in wildlife, forestry, land management, marine life, and the environment. A lot of their tasks are dependent on their specialization. They may be assigned to manage paperwork related to permits and other important documents. They may also be assigned to monitor a specific sector in their specialization. They may also be assigned to work on conservation programs.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an environmental scientist are more likely to require skills like "environmental compliance," "data collection," "gis," and "osha." 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 earn the highest salaries when working in the automotive industry, with an average yearly salary of $75,007. On the other hand, environmental scientists are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $72,955.technical fellows tend to reach higher levels of education than environmental scientists. In fact, technical fellows are 6.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 13.9% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Environmental scientist vs. Natural resource specialist
A scientist is responsible for researching and analyzing the nature and complexities of the physical world to identify discoveries that would improve people's lives and ignite scientific knowledge for society. Scientists' duties differ in their different areas of expertise, but all of them must have a broad comprehension of scientific disciplines and methods to support their experiments and investigations. They collect the sample for their research, record findings, create research proposals, and release publications. A scientist must know how to utilize laboratory equipment to support the study and drive results efficiently and accurately.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, environmental scientist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "osha," "oversight," "hazwoper," and "environmental site assessments." Meanwhile, a natural resource specialist has duties that require skills in areas such as "management plans," "usda," "gs," and "natural resource management." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Natural resource specialists may earn a higher salary than environmental scientists, but natural resource specialists earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $68,366. On the other hand, environmental scientists receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $72,955.In general, natural resource specialists achieve similar levels of education than environmental scientists. They're 0.3% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 13.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for environmental scientists in the next 3-5 years?
Andrea Welker Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University
Environmental scientist vs. Scientist
The primary role of a Staff Scientist is to develop and manage scientific research projects with minimal supervision. They are also responsible for the technical and budgetary aspects of scientific research projects.
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 scientist is likely to be skilled in "environmental compliance," "gis," "osha," and "oversight," while a typical scientist is skilled in "chemistry," "patients," "molecular biology," and "cell culture."
Scientists make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $134,486. On the other hand, environmental scientists are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $72,955.Most scientists achieve a higher degree level compared to environmental scientists. For example, they're 7.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 15.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Environmental scientist vs. Staff scientist
Types of environmental scientist
Updated January 8, 2025
