Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

19-2041.00

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.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
• Monitor effects of pollution or land degradation and recommend means of prevention or control.
• 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.
• Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
• Provide scientific or technical guidance, support, coordination, or oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.
• Process and review environmental permits, licenses, or related materials.
• Conduct environmental audits or inspections or investigations of violations.
• Provide advice on proper standards and regulations or the development of policies, strategies, or codes of practice for environmental management.
• Prepare charts or graphs from data samples, providing summary information on the environmental relevance of the data.
• Research sources of pollution to determine their effects on the environment and to develop theories or methods of pollution abatement or control.
• Supervise or train students, environmental technologists, technicians, or other related staff.
• Monitor environmental impacts of development activities.
• Evaluate violations or problems discovered during inspections to determine appropriate regulatory actions or to provide advice on the development and prosecution of regulatory cases.
• Analyze data to determine validity, quality, and scientific significance and to interpret correlations between human activities and environmental effects.
• Investigate and report on accidents affecting the environment.
• Develop the technical portions of legal documents, administrative orders, or consent decrees.
• Design or direct studies to obtain technical environmental information about planned projects.
• Determine data collection methods to be employed in research projects or surveys.
• Conduct applied research on environmental topics, such as waste control or treatment or pollution abatement methods.
• Develop programs designed to obtain the most productive, non-damaging use of land.
• Plan or develop research models, using knowledge of mathematical and statistical concepts.
• Develop methods to minimize the impact of production processes on the environment, based on the study and assessment of industrial production, environmental legislation, and physical, biological, and social environments.

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 🔥
• Document management software - Adobe Acrobat 🔥; Microsoft Office SharePoint Server MOSS
• Electronic mail software - Microsoft Outlook 🔥
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - SAP software 🔥
• Geographic information system - ESRI ArcGIS software ; ESRI ArcInfo; ESRI ArcView; Geographic information system GIS software; Geographic information system GIS systems
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe Illustrator 🔥; Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite; Graphics software; SmugMug Flickr
• Internet browser software - Web browser software
• Map creation software - Geomechanical design analysis GDA software; Golden Software Surfer; Mapping software; RockWare ArcMap
• Object or component oriented development software - C++ 🔥; Sun Microsystems Java
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint
• Project management software - Microsoft Project 🔥
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel ; Spreadsheet software
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word ; Word processing software

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• 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.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - 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.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• 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.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Provide technical information or assistance to public.
• Monitor environmental impacts of production or development activities.
• Advise others about environmental management or conservation.
• Compile environmental or climatological data.
• Develop environmental sustainability plans or projects.
• Review environmental permits, plans, or reports.
• Assess compliance with environmental laws.
• Advise others on matters of public policy.
• Prepare research or technical reports on environmental issues.
• Research environmental impact of industrial or development activities.
• Supervise trainees.
• Supervise scientific or technical personnel.
• Prepare information or documentation related to legal or regulatory matters.
• Plan environmental research.
• Direct technical activities or operations.
• Research impacts of environmental conservation initiatives.
• Develop plans to manage natural or renewable resources.
• Develop theories or models of physical phenomena.
• Develop sustainable industrial or development methods.