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What does an Environmental Consultant do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

An environmental consultant is a professional who provides advice and guidance to businesses and individuals on how to minimize the negative impact of their activities on the environment. They may work in a variety of industries, including construction, manufacturing, energy, transportation, and waste management. Environmental consultants typically have a background in science or engineering and are familiar with environmental regulations.

Environmental Consultant job duties include:

  • Conducting environmental audits and site assessments
  • Identifying and evaluating environmental risks
  • Developing environmental management plans
  • Advising on environmental impact assessment processes
  • Liaising with regulatory authorities on behalf of clients
  • Undertaking contaminated land investigations and remediation projects
  • Carrying out ecological surveys and impact assessments
  • Project managing environmental protection and improvement schemes
  • Writing technical reports and proposals

Environmental Consultant Job Requirements

Most environmental consultants have a bachelor's degree in science or engineering, although some jobs may require a master's degree. Many environmental consulting firms also require their employees to be certified in one or more areas of environmental practice, such as hazardous waste management or environmental auditing. In addition to formal education and certification, most environmental consultants also have several years of experience working in the field.

Environmental Consultant Skills

  • Environmental
  • Consulting
  • Sustainability
  • Green
  • Climate Change
  • Recycling
  • Pollution
  • Air Quality
  • Water Quality
  • Soil Conservation
  • Waste Management

Related: Top Environmental Consultant Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become an Environmental Consultant

There are many ways to become an environmental consultant. The most common way is to have a degree in environmental science, engineering, or another related field. Many environmental consultants also have law degrees. Other ways to become an environmental consultant include having experience working in the environmental field, working in a related field such as law or engineering, or having a background in science. Many environmental consultants start their careers working for environmental consulting firms. Some may eventually start their own firms.

Related: Environmental Consultant Resume Example

Related: Environmental Consultant Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

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Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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