What Does An Environmental Scientist Do?
Environmental scientists work for power or chemical plants, finding environmental hazards and ways to eliminate reduce them. are also responsible collecting test samples of various food items, soil, air water them hazardous chemicals.
After they attend different field inspections and carefully analyze samples they’ve found, Environmental Scientists will build presentations and write reports, letting organizations and individuals know what they’ve uncovered. They’ll then develop programs to make certain areas safer by implementing spill prevention programs and drafting various hazardous waste rules and regulations.
Environmental Scientist Skills and Qualifications
A successful Environmental Scientist applicant will have a variety of different skills and qualifications needed to perform the job’s professional demands. Key skills include:
- Analytical skills: Environmental Scientists conduct experiments and draw conclusions by analyzing scientific data.
- Problem-solving skills: Environmental Scientists use problem-solving skills to develop solutions to environmental problems.
- Self-management: Environmental Scientists often work independently or with limited supervision and self-manage their work and schedules.
- Communication skills: Environmental Scientists use the appropriate language to communicate scientific findings and ideas to different audiences including the general public.
Environmental Scientist Salary Expectations
An Environmental Scientist working in the United States makes an average salary of $68,937 per year. Indeed bases its salary estimates on 532 salaries submitted anonymously by Environmental Scientist employees and users, as well as salaries posted on Indeed in the past 36 months from past and present job advertisements. An Environmental Scientist has an average tenure of 1-3 years.
Environmental Scientist Education and Training Requirements
Most entry-level jobs require Environmental Scientists to hold a bachelor’s degree in environmental science or a similar field such as chemistry, physics, biology or environmental engineering, Some Environmental Scientists may choose to pursue a master’s degree for career advancement. Aspiring Environmental Scientists can benefit from taking classes in hydrology, waste management, environmental policy and regulation, data analysis, computer modeling and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Environmental Scientists who wish to prove their professional skills can earn a certification as a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager through the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management or a professional ecological certification through the Ecological Society of America.
Environmental Scientist Experience Requirements
The experience requirements for Environmental Scientists vary depending on the field of environmental science and the seniority of the position they are applying to. Environmental Scientists may be required by their program of study to complete an internship, which can help them gain professional experience before earning their bachelor’s degree. Environmental Scientists can gain transferable professional experience from working as environmental scientist technicians, research assistants or in a field such as data analysis.
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