A Step-By-Step Guide – Forbes Advisor – Technologist

It may seem like the U.S. has always enforced policies to protect the environment, but the government only formalized these efforts in 1970, when President Richard Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through an executive order.

The EPA and private employers rely on environmental specialists and scientists to ensure companies comply with regulations aimed at issues like pollution and climate change. To become an environmental scientist, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in a natural science field. If you’re interested in positively impacting our planet and its inhabitants, a career as an environmental scientist might be right for you.

This guide offers a step-by-step pathway to the profession. Explore details on an environmental scientist job description, available degrees and concentrations in the field, salary data and job outlook projections.

What Is an Environmental Scientist?

An environmental scientist is a science-based professional who aims to protect the natural environment, along with its plants, animals and humans. They achieve these goals through several means, including physically cleaning up pollution, researching ongoing threats to the environment, presenting their findings to policymakers and analyzing environmental data.

Environmental scientists and specialists work in office settings in the public and private sectors. However, they may visit sites to investigate the effects of pollution or help plan construction. Their daily tasks typically relate to the focus of their work. For example, professionals in environmental restoration may visit cleanup sites to plan for recovery efforts.

These specialists and scientists might focus on specific elements of the environment, such as air, water or soil safety. They may also handle industrial considerations to improve businesses’ efficiency while reducing pollutants. Some specialists handle human-centric aspects of the environment, such as the effects of pollution on human health.

How To Become an Environmental Scientist

Take the following steps to start a career as an environmental scientist.

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

The first step to becoming an environmental scientist or specialist is to earn a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, natural resources management or forestry. If you have an idea of the work you’d like to pursue after graduating, seek programs that offer concentrations that align with your goals. For example, if you want to help shape environmental protection laws, research schools that focus on environmental policy.

Consider an Internship or Volunteer Experience

Though an internship is not required to work as an environmental specialist or scientist, developing real-world experience while still in school can give you a crucial advantage among candidates applying for work. These programs allow you to make professional connections that can be beneficial after graduation. Trying out multiple workplaces and responsibilities can also help narrow your environmental science career options.

Consider Certification

You do not need certification to work as an environmental scientist. However, earning a certification demonstrates your mastery of a specific subset of the field to potential employers and can help you pursue more advanced roles in environmental science. Keep reading for more detailed information on certification options.

Environmental Scientist Salary and Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), environmental scientists and specialists earn competitive salaries and receive strong employment projections. BLS data indicates that these professionals earn a median annual salary of $76,480 as of May 2022. The highest earners work in the federal government, taking home a median annual salary of $104,640.

The future appears bright for environmental specialists and scientists as well. The BLS projects a 6% job growth rate from 2022 to 2032, double the projected rate for all occupations in this period.

Environmental Science Specializations

Within environmental science programs, you can often pursue specializations or concentrations to align your studies with your professional or personal goals. Explore several specializations below.

Applied Ecology

This concentration blends subjects like mathematics, economics and geography with life science coursework to consider how the environment affects living things and vice versa.

Environmental Policy and Application

Politics and policies play a significant role in maintaining our natural environment. This concentration examines real-world case studies to understand climate change, political action, and how industry regulation can limit harmful effects.

Soil, Air and Water

This specialization considers the interconnected nature of environmental systems. Students explore the natural order of how soil, air and water interact, and how humans affect these processes.

Certifications for Environmental Scientists

To hone your skills and demonstrate your mastery of the field, you can pursue certifications in environmental science. Several providers offer certifications that may align with your career level, education or experience.

The following section explores several available certifications but is not exhaustive.

Associate Environmental Professional (AEP)

AEP credentials, administered by the National Registry of Environmental Professionals (NREP)®, are ideal for emerging and prospective professionals in environmental science. Candidates only need one year of a relevant bachelor’s program or three years of work experience to qualify.

Certification requires candidates to pass a 100-question, multiple-choice exam with a minimum score of 75%. AEPs must renew their credentials yearly by completing continuing education units (CEUs).

Registered Environmental Professional (REP)®

NREP offers REP certification for environmental science professionals in project management and coordination roles. This credential does not require an exam. Instead, each applicant must have earned a graduate degree in an environmental science field or possess current licensure in environmental science. REP certification requires annual renewal through CEUs.

Certified Environmental Auditor (CEA)SM

The CEA credential, also available through NREP, suits individuals who handle risk and compliance audits for environmental science equipment, facilities and practices. To qualify, a candidate must have a relevant bachelor’s degree with four years of experience in environmental audits, or 16 years of professional experience without a degree.

Certification requires applicants to pass an exam, and like NREP’s other certifications, CEA credentials require yearly renewal by completing CEUs.

Certified Climate Change Professional (CC-P)®

The Association of Climate Change Officers (ACCO) offers CC-P certification for experienced professionals in climate change-related roles. ACCO requires each candidate to possess a graduate degree with two years of relevant experience, an undergraduate degree with four years of professional experience, or a high school degree with seven years of work in the field.

To receive CC-P credentials, an individual must pass four exams with a minimum score of 70%. The certification requires renewal every six years; each year, they must complete eight hours of continuing education and spend 40 hours applying CC-P principles toward climate change advancement.

Professional Organizations for Environmental Scientists

As an environmental scientist, you can join one of the below organizations for professional networking and support.

• National Association of Environmental Professionals: NAEP offers professional development opportunities and allows members to connect with other workers in the field. This membership-based organization hosts digital and in-person forums, including its annual Conference and Training Symposium. NAEP also delivers yearly awards, scholarships and fellowships.
• Air & Waste Management Association: A&WMA provides a space for discussion among professionals in the air and waste management professionals. The organization keeps members and the public up-to-date on changes in the field through two monthly publications. A&WMA also features continuing education opportunities through conferences, webinars and courses.
• Environmental Information Association: EIA focuses on publicizing information about environmental health hazards relating to buildings and structures through conferences, seminars and publications. Its efforts focus on professionals working in environmental health and safety who handle lead, asbestos and mold.
• National Environmental Health Association: Along with publishing the Journal of Environmental Health, NEHA offers courses and certifications for environmental science professionals. NEHA also features scholarships, internships and e-learning opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Environmental Scientists