What they do
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.
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Also called: |
Environmental Analyst, Environmental Health and Safety Specialist (EHS Specialist), Environmental Health Specialist, Environmental Programs Specialist, Environmental Protection Specialist, Environmental Scientist, Environmental Specialist, Hazardous Substances Scientist, Natural Resources Specialist, Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS)
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Wages
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Vermont - 2023 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
10% |
$ 26.42 |
$54,950 |
25% |
$ 28.83 |
$59,970 |
Median |
$ 33.80 |
$70,300 |
75% |
$ 38.11 |
$79,270 |
90% |
$ 43.94 |
$91,400 |
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Average |
$ 34.19 |
$71,120 |
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More at CareerOneStop |
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Industries of Employment
United States - 2020 |
Industry | Percent of total |
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
| 42% |
- State government, excluding education and hospitals
| 24% |
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals
| 12% |
- Federal government, excluding postal service
| 6% |
- Educational services; state, local, and private
| 3% |
More at BLS |
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Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about: |
- English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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- Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
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- 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.
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- Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
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- Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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More at O*NET |
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Skills
People in this career often have these 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.
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- Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
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- Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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- Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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- Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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More at O*NET |
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Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
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- Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
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- Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
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What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
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Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
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- Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
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- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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- Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
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- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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More at O*NET |
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Tasks
On the job, you would: |
- Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
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- Monitor effects of pollution or land degradation and recommend means of prevention or control.
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- Collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.
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- Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
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- Provide scientific or technical guidance, support, coordination, or oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.
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More at O*NET |
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Related Occupations
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Career Video
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Projected Employment
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Vermont |
2020 employment |
313 |
2030 employment |
342 |
Annual percent change (compounded) |
0.9% |
Annual projected job openings (due to change and separations) |
34 |
More at Occupational Projections |
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Education and Experience:
- Typical education needed for entry
Bachelor's degree
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- Work experience in a related occupation
None
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- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
None
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Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
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Physical Work Activity
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
- Physical activity is Important
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- Level of activity is Moderate
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Low | | High |
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Job Zone
Considerable Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(7.0 to < 8.0) - A typical worker will require
over 2 years up to and including 4 years
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
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Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
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Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have? |
Education level | | Percent of U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree or post-MA certificate | | 4% |
Master's degree or post-BA certificate | | 26% |
Bachelor's degree | | 47% |
Associate's degree | | 0% |
Certificate or some college, no degree | | 1% |
High school diploma or equivalent | | 21% |
Less than high school diploma | | 0% |
More at O*NET |
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Abilities
People in this career often have talent in: |
- Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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- Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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- Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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- Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
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- Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
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More at O*NET |
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Work Activities
In general, what you might do: |
- 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.
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- Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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- Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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- Analyzing Data or Information
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
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- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
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More at O*NET |
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Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
- Provide technical information or assistance to public.
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- Advise others about environmental management or conservation.
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- Monitor environmental impacts of production or development activities.
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- Compile environmental or climatological data.
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- Develop environmental sustainability plans or projects.
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More at O*NET |
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Other Resources
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- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
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- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
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