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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for an Environmental Specialist

💰 $55,000 - $95,000

Environmental ScienceComplianceHealth & SafetySustainability

🎯 Role Definition

Are you passionate about protecting the environment and ensuring corporate responsibility? This role requires a dedicated and knowledgeable Environmental Specialist to join dynamic teams and drive environmental excellence. In this critical role, you will be the cornerstone of our environmental compliance and sustainability programs. You'll be responsible for interpreting complex regulations, managing permits, conducting site assessments, and implementing programs that minimize environmental impact. This is an opportunity to apply your scientific expertise in a practical setting, ensuring that operations not only comply with the law but also align with best practices for a sustainable future. If you are a proactive problem-solver with a deep understanding of environmental science and policy, we invite you to explore this rewarding career path.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Environmental Technician or Field Scientist
  • Junior Environmental Consultant
  • Recent Graduate with a degree in Environmental Science/Engineering or a related field

Advancement To:

  • Senior Environmental Specialist or Environmental Manager
  • Corporate Sustainability Director
  • EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Health and Safety (H&S) Specialist
  • Industrial Hygienist
  • Environmental Project Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Manage multimedia environmental compliance programs, ensuring adherence to a wide range of federal, state, and local regulations including the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
  • Prepare, submit, and manage complex environmental permit applications, modifications, renewals, and registrations for air quality, industrial wastewater, stormwater, and waste management.
  • Conduct comprehensive environmental compliance audits and facility inspections to identify potential risks, liabilities, and areas of non-compliance, and subsequently develop and track corrective action plans.
  • Lead the facility's hazardous and non-hazardous waste management program, overseeing waste characterization, profiling, labeling, storage, transportation, and disposal in accordance with regulatory requirements.
  • Develop, implement, and maintain critical environmental plans such as Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs).
  • Serve as the primary point of contact and liaison for regulatory agencies, including the EPA and state environmental departments, during inspections, inquiries, and negotiations.
  • Track, compile, and analyze data for mandatory environmental reports, including SARA Title III (Tier II and TRI), Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions inventories, and annual waste generation reports.
  • Lead or participate in incident investigations for environmental spills, releases, or non-compliance events, performing root cause analysis and implementing effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
  • Develop and deliver engaging environmental training programs for employees and contractors on topics such as hazardous materials handling, emergency spill response, and regulatory compliance.
  • Conduct Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) in accordance with ASTM standards to evaluate environmental liabilities for real estate transactions and site development.
  • Perform field sampling of various media, including soil, groundwater, surface water, and air, and coordinate with analytical laboratories to ensure data quality and integrity.
  • Author detailed and complex technical reports, including site investigation summaries, remedial action plans, and compliance assessments for submission to clients and regulatory bodies.
  • Review capital projects, new equipment installations, and process modifications to assess potential environmental impacts and ensure all permitting and regulatory obligations are addressed.
  • Maintain and continuously improve the site's Environmental Management System (EMS), ensuring alignment with standards such as ISO 14001.
  • Interpret and analyze new and proposed environmental regulations to determine their applicability to company operations and provide strategic guidance to management and operational teams.
  • Manage environmental due diligence activities for mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures to identify and quantify potential environmental risks and liabilities.
  • Provide on-site EHS support and oversight during construction, demolition, or large-scale industrial projects to ensure environmental protocols and permit conditions are strictly followed.
  • Support corporate sustainability initiatives by collecting and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) related to energy use, water consumption, and waste reduction.
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive environmental records, permits, and compliance documentation in a centralized and audit-ready system.
  • Oversee contractors and consultants performing environmental services, ensuring work is completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and to required quality standards.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis related to environmental performance and sustainability metrics.
  • Contribute to the organization's broader EHS strategy and long-term environmental roadmap.
  • Collaborate with business units, engineering, and legal teams to translate environmental needs into actionable operational and engineering requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within cross-functional project teams.
  • Assist in the preparation of annual environmental budgets and financial forecasting for compliance activities and capital projects.
  • Represent the company in industry associations or community outreach events related to environmental stewardship.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Regulatory Expertise: Deep knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations (e.g., RCRA, CWA, CAA, EPCRA, TSCA, CERCLA).
  • Environmental Permitting: Proven experience preparing and managing air, water, and waste permits.
  • Technical Report Writing: Ability to author clear, concise, and defensible scientific and compliance reports for both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Site Assessment: Proficiency in conducting Phase I & II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) following ASTM standards.
  • Waste Management: Expertise in hazardous and non-hazardous waste characterization, management, and disposal procedures.
  • EHS Management Systems: Familiarity with implementing and maintaining Environmental Management Systems, particularly ISO 14001.
  • Data Analysis & Reporting: Skill in collecting, analyzing, and reporting environmental data for compliance and sustainability purposes (e.g., TRI, GHG).
  • Sampling & Monitoring: Hands-on experience with environmental sampling techniques for soil, water, and air.

Soft Skills

  • Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills to investigate issues, identify root causes, and develop effective solutions.
  • Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with regulatory agencies, senior management, and site personnel.
  • Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously with a high degree of organization.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to documentation, data review, and compliance verification to ensure accuracy and prevent liabilities.
  • Adaptability: Flexibility to work in a dynamic environment with evolving regulations and business priorities.
  • Collaboration: A team-oriented mindset with the ability to work effectively across different departments and functions.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in a relevant scientific or technical field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • Professional certifications such as Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), Registered Environmental Manager (REM), or 40-hour HAZWOPER.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Geology or Hydrogeology
  • Biology or Chemistry
  • Occupational Health & Safety

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years of direct experience in environmental compliance, consulting, or a corporate EHS role.

Preferred: Experience within a specific industry (e.g., manufacturing, chemical, energy, consulting) is highly advantageous. Demonstrated experience in direct negotiations with regulatory agencies.

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