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Environmental Scientist Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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An 5672291environmental science15.56environmental13.3environmental scientist9.3conservation8.63natural resources5.399470010421124000.0074012.84150000.00YEARLY25656382025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Environmental Scientist, or Environmental Specialist, applies their knowledge of natural sciences to develop ways to save the environment and protect human health. Their main duties include collecting and analyzing samples of food, soil, air and water; building plans to fix and prevent common environmental issues and educating organizations and the public on potential environmental health hazards.

Environmental Scientist Duties and Responsibilities

Environmental Scientists have many important duties that they must perform to excel at their job. Their responsibilities include: 

  • Collecting and scientifically analyzing soil, air and water samples to determine the level and cause of environmental contamination.
  • Developing solutions to control, fix or prevent environmental problems.
  • Conducting environmental research projects and preparing reports and presentations on their findings.
  • Advising governmental organizations, businesses and the public on potential environmental hazards and health risks.

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Environmental Scientist Job Description Examples

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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What Does An 5672291environmental science15.56environmental13.3environmental scientist9.3conservation8.63natural resources5.399470010421124000.0074012.84150000.00YEARLY25656382025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Environmental 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 5672291environmental science15.56environmental13.3environmental scientist9.3conservation8.63natural resources5.399470010421124000.0074012.84150000.00YEARLY25656382025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Environmental 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.

5672291environmental science15.56environmental13.3environmental scientist9.3conservation8.63natural resources5.399470010421124000.0074012.84150000.00YEARLY25656382025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Environmental 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 5672291environmental science15.56environmental13.3environmental scientist9.3conservation8.63natural resources5.399470010421124000.0074012.84150000.00YEARLY25656382025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05environmental scientist technicians, research assistants or in a field such as data analysis.

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Frequently asked questions about Environmental Scientists

Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

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