Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.
Sample of reported job titles:
Environmental Analyst, Environmental Health and Safety Specialist, Environmental Programs Specialist, Environmental Protection Specialist, Environmental Scientist, Environmental Specialist, Hazardous Substances Scientist, Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS), Research Environmental Scientist
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Conduct environmental audits or inspections or investigations of violations.
- Evaluate violations or problems discovered during inspections to determine appropriate regulatory actions or to provide advice on the development and prosecution of regulatory cases.
- Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
- Provide advice on proper standards and regulations or the development of policies, strategies, or codes of practice for environmental management.
- Analyze data to determine validity, quality, and scientific significance and to interpret correlations between human activities and environmental effects.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software:ADMS pollution modeling software,CAP88-PC,CERC EMIT,Chemicals and Irrigation CANDI,Compass software,DQO ELIPGRID-PC,Ecotech WinCollect,Hotspot,IBM SPSS Statistics,Laboratory information management system LIMS,Lakes Environmental EcoRisk View,Lakes Environmental ISC-AERMOD View,Lakes Environmental SLAB View,Link Microtek,Rad Pro Calculator,RSA RadCalc,SoundPLAN,Statistical software,TANKS,Wolfel IMMI
- Compliance software:Ecotech WinAQMS,Emissions tracking software,Material safety data sheet MSDS software,MIRS Compliance
- Computer aided design CAD software:Autodesk AutoCAD,Bentley MicroStation
- Data base user interface and query software:Chemical management tracking software,Database software,DataPipe EHS,EarthSoft EQuIS Geology,Lakes Environmental Emissions View,Microsoft Access,Smart Data Solutions RS Solutions,Structured query language SQL,Tucows ChemBase,Waters eLab Notebook
- Development environment software:Microsoft Visual Basic
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events:Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Working with Computers:Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Detailed Work Activities
- Advise others about environmental management or conservation.
- Advise others on matters of public policy.
- Assess compliance with environmental laws.
- Compile environmental or climatological data.
- Develop environmental sustainability plans or projects.
Work Context
- Electronic Mail:100% responded"Every day"
- Telephone:89% responded"Every day"
- Face-to-Face Discussions:81% responded"Every day"
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled:70% responded"Every day"
- Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results:66% responded"Important results"
Worker Requirements
Skills
- Active Listening:Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Critical Thinking:Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Reading Comprehension:Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Science:Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
- Speaking:Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Knowledge
- English Language:Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Mathematics:Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Law and Government:Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
- Administrative:Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
- Customer and Personal Service:Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- 70%Bachelor's Degree
- 26%Master's Degree
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
- Oral Comprehension:The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Written Comprehension:The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Deductive Reasoning:The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Inductive Reasoning:The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Oral Expression:The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Interests
- Investigative:Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
- Realistic:Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
- Conventional:Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
- Achievement:Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
- Independence:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
- Recognition:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Integrity:Job requires being honest and ethical.
- Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Analytical Thinking:Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
- Cooperation:Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
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