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What is a staff environmental scientist and how to become one
A staff environmental scientist utilizes their knowledge of the natural sciences to help protect the environment and human health. They are responsible for developing, implementing, and suggesting environmental programs based on research and science. Moreover, they play a significant role in the creation of environmental policies.
The duties of a staff environmental scientist generally involve conducting research, collecting data from samples, preparing presentations based on their findings, and communicating results with government officials, businesses, environmental groups, and the general public--all in the name of conserving natural resources and protecting the environment from further ruin.
The best degree to have when applying for this role is at least a bachelor's degree in environmental science. However, graduates with majors in biology, geology, and other natural sciences also good candidates. Furthermore, any aspiring staff environmental scientist must display exemplary skills in research, as well as a naturally inquisitive attitude. On average, staff environmental scientists make around $54,000 a year. With enough experience, they can make even more in a supervisory or director role.
What general advice would you give to a staff environmental scientist?
Shannon Farrell Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
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!)
Avg. Salary $62,433
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 5%
Growth rate 0.3%
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%
Genderfemale 37.31%
male 62.69%
Age - 37American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 37Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work life balance is good
6.4 - fair
Staff environmental scientist career paths
Key steps to become a staff environmental scientist
Explore staff environmental scientist education requirements
Start to develop specific staff environmental scientist skills
Skills Percentages OSHA 10.54% Environmental Compliance 8.51% Technical Reports 7.94% GIS 6.44% Environmental Site Assessments 5.83% Complete relevant staff environmental scientist training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New staff environmental scientists 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 a staff environmental scientist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real staff environmental scientist resumes.Research staff environmental scientist duties and responsibilities
- Develop and manage company EHS compliance processes in accordance with current and upcoming regulatory mandates.
- Perform SWPPP and SPCC studies and monitoring of client compliance.
- Utilize GIS mapping to create hundreds of maps for hazardous environmental site inspections
- Assist as health and safety compliance officer pursuant to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.
Prepare your staff environmental scientist resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your staff environmental scientist 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 a staff environmental scientist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable staff environmental scientist resume templates
Build a professional staff environmental scientist 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 staff environmental scientist resume.
Apply for staff environmental scientist jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a staff environmental scientist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first staff environmental scientist job
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Average staff environmental scientist salary
The average staff environmental scientist salary in the United States is $62,433 per year or $30 per hour. Staff environmental scientist salaries range between $45,000 and $85,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do staff environmental scientists rate their job?
Staff environmental scientist reviews
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.
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.
Updated January 8, 2025
