Environmental Specialists or Environmental Management Specialists are scientists who observe the impact of a population on the environment, identify problem areas and recommend solutions. Many specialists work for the government to ensure that specific regulations regarding air, water and soil are met. The job might appeal to those who feel comfortable working out of doors and are passionate about helping the environment.

This is not an entry-level position; individuals must often put in a few years of experience working as environmental research assistants or laboratory technicians.

Tasks:

1. Inspect sites to assess environmental damage or monitor cleanup progress.
2. Maintain records of decisions, actions, and progress related to environmental redevelopment projects.
3. Review or evaluate environmental remediation project proposals.
4. Coordinate on-site activities for environmental cleanup or remediation projects to ensure compliance with environmental laws, standards, regulations, or other requirements.
5. Plan or implement brownfield redevelopment projects to ensure safety, quality, and compliance with applicable standards or requirements.
6. Conduct feasibility or cost-benefit studies for environmental remediation projects.
7. Identify environmental contamination sources.
8. Coordinate the disposal of hazardous waste.
9. Develop or implement plans for the sustainable regeneration of brownfield sites to ensure regeneration of a wider area by providing environmental protection or economic and social benefits.
10. Conduct quantitative risk assessments for human health, environmental, or other risks.
11. Provide training on hazardous material or waste cleanup procedures and technologies.
12. Design or implement measures to improve the water, air, and soil quality of military test sites, abandoned mine land, or other contaminated sites.

Key skills for a Environmental Management Specialist:

• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• 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.
• Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Average salary (2014):

United Kingdom:graduate starting salaries typically range from £20,000 to £24,500
Australia:AU$66164 per year
United States of America: $70,770 per year

Qualifications and training required:

Environmental management specialists need a good understanding of environmental and natural sciences, which they can gain through bachelor's degree programs in environmental science or a related science, such as geology or biology. Students may take courses in biology, physics, hydrology and watershed sciences, chemistry, soil science and data analysis. Through this broad exposure to many of the sciences, prospective environmental specialists learn a variety of means to analyze the impact of human population growth on the environment and recommend ways to reduce that impact.

After earning a bachelor's degree in a related science, individuals may qualify for entry-level environmental specialist jobs. Many environmental specialists begin their career as a lab technician or research assistant and move up to lab or project manager positions as they gain experience. Environmental specialist and scientist positions can primarily be found within governmental agencies, federal agencies and nonprofit organizations; however, some environmental specialists also work as private consultants.