Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Go Back to List Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or the health of the population. 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.

Technology used in this occupation:
	Analytical or scientific software

Tasks
	Conduct environmental audits or inspections or investigations of violations.
	Evaluate violations or problems discovered during inspections to determine appropriate regulatory actions or to provide advice on the development and prosecution of regulatory cases.
	Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
	Provide advice on proper standards and regulations or the development of policies, strategies, or codes of practice for environmental management.
	Analyze data to determine validity, quality, and scientific significance and to interpret correlations between human activities and environmental effects.
	Determine data collection methods to be employed in research projects or surveys.
	Prepare charts or graphs from data samples, providing summary information on the environmental relevance of the data.
	Develop the technical portions of legal documents, administrative orders, or consent decrees.
	Investigate and report on accidents affecting the environment.
	Monitor environmental impacts of development activities.

Skills
	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
	Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
	Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
	Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
	Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Knowledge
	English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
	Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
	Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
	Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
	Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
	Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
	Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
	Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal m
	Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
	Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

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Education & Training   Education:   Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.   Related Experience:   A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

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Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $92,431.00 $44.43  $26.87  $30.61 - $49.86  Bridgeport/Stamford $96,118.00 $46.21  $26.91  $30.45 - $56.44  Danbury $71,725.00 $34.49  $23.12  $23.90 - $44.59  Hartford $91,860.00 $44.16  $26.75  $30.42 - $47.62  New Haven $92,203.00 $44.33  $27.99  $31.45 - $49.94  New London/Norwich $98,215.00 $47.22  $32.88  $38.38 - $55.61

Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 ) Average Annual Job Openings:   88   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow about as fast as average, but the number of annual openings will offer good or favorable job opportunities.

Related Occupations
	Environmental Compliance Inspectors
	Environmental Engineers
	Validation Engineers
	Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
	Soil and Water Conservationists
	Range Managers
	Chemists
	Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
	Hydrologists
	Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

	Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.