Environmental protection specialists: All about the role

The job duties of an environmental protection specialist

Environmental protection specialists are responsible for ensuring that projects, activities or policies comply with environmental laws that promote the sustainability of natural resources.

Job duties in this role typically include, but aren’t limited to:

• Data collection and analysis:
  • Collecting and analyzing environmental data such as air, water and soil quality metrics.
  • Monitoring trends and forecasting potential implications from human behaviors on ecosystems.
• Emergency response and remediation:
  • Responding to environmental emergencies such as oil spills or hazardous waste incidents.
  • Coordinating cleanup efforts and environmental recovery plans after natural disasters.
• Environmental assessments and impact studies:
  • Performing environmental impact assessments for new developments and existing projects.
  • Preparing reports that outline findings and documenting action plans for improvement.
• Policy and regulation compliance:
  • Interpreting and enforcing environmental laws, regulations and guidelines.
  • Conducting inspections of facilities or operations to ensure their compliance with environmental standards.
• Pollution prevention and control:
  • Identifying sources of pollution and proposing measures to reduce emissions, waste or contamination.
  • Designing and implementing pollution control programs for widespread use.
• Research and advocacy:
  • Conducting research to develop new methods or technologies for environmental protection.
  • Advocating for policies that support conservation and sustainable development.

Who hires environmental protection specialists?

Professionals in this field can work in a diverse range of settings depending on the scope of their work and expertise.

• You might work for the government at the state or federal level if you’re interested in the development and regulation of environmental policies.
• If you’d prefer fieldwork you can monitor industrial sites, construction zones or on-site inspections.
• Analyzing environmental data and developing solutions for resource management in research institutions is also a common choice for these specialists.
• Other settings include corporate facilities, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and environmental consulting firms.

The online degrees that can prepare you for the role

Arizona State University offers two online degree options for students interested in pursuing a career in environmental sciences and conservation. Earning an online degree provides you with the hands-on experience and knowledge needed to succeed in a science-related career.

• Our Bachelor of Arts in earth and environmental sciences emphasizes the natural processes and how they impact the natural environment around us. This program goes beyond the life sciences, exploring biogeochemical cycles, natural resources, disaster control and other processes. In this program, you’ll also delve into how the environment is changing in reaction to human-environment interactions. After graduation, you’ll be ready to tackle environmental challenges and develop solutions that enhance ecological sustainability.
• Our Bachelor of Science in biological sciences with a concentration in conservation biology and ecology focuses specifically on preserving Earth’s biodiversity and its ecosystems. The professionals in this field use practical strategies to reduce the extinction of species and promote sustainable uses of biological resources. This work covers a wide range of ecosystems such as urban landscapes, forests, rivers, grasslands, wetlands and more. This program is also a Bachelor of Science, so it has higher requirements in math and statistics than the BA program above. Upon graduation, you can pursue roles in government agencies, K-12 and higher education and private companies that focus on environmental resources.