Environmental Compliance Specialist Responsibilities

Environmental compliance specialists are involved in inspecting and investigating the industrial sources of pollution which causes environmental hazards and ensuring the application of federal, state, and local regulatory procedures in compliance with the environment and the public. They are required to conduct various tests, analysis, and observations for evaluating the potential hazard of environment, before making any necessary recommendations for controlling the environmental damage. In any case, they strictly need to work in compliance with the regulatory authorities. Hence, they need to be familiar with the standard procedures applicable in the related field.

Environment compliance specialists usually work under the supervision of a manager to whom they need to submit their working report.

Key Responsibilities

Environment compliance specialists are involved in researching about the potential hazardous material in the waste material created by the manufacturing unit, estimating the magnitude of unsafe components in it and establishing proper safety measures for combating the hazards involved in the project. Apart from this, they also need to manage the release of potential hazardous material in the environment and work in compliance with environmental security program.

The key responsibilities of an environmental compliance specialist comprise:

• Developing the industrial operations and waste management program in compliance with environmental and regulatory programs, accessing its applications in accordance with the manufacturing / production company
• Reviewing and understanding the plans and specifications of operational program and regulating its operations and modifications in accordance with the environmental laws and regulations of federal, state, and local government
• Coordinating and collaborating with the working staff and management of the organization to plan, prepare, and develop the environmental sustainability programs and policies for a project, which is in compliance with the company's requirements
• Balancing the environmental and commercial needs of the project, keeping it in accordance with the regulatory authorities and the production company
• Assisting in preparing annual reports, documents, and other publication materials like brochures, periodicals, and other promotional materials mentioning the environmental sustainability program
• Monitoring the waste management program, overseeing its disposal and treatment activities, and managing the safety precautions for avoiding the hazardous situation
• Providing environment development programs for employees and customers, supporting in the development of pollution control programs, and assisting in application of risk management programs
• Providing technical assistance to managers and other operating staff, updating them on environmental standardization procedures, regulatory requirements, and work hazards
• Identifying the exact potential of chemical substances included in the treatment plant, accessing the potential environmental risks involved in waste management procedures, and developing proper mitigation plans
• Applying the fundamental rule of environment protection before approving the construction of any plant, understanding and modifying the plans and specifications of a project in accordance with environmental perspective, and maintaining the operations and management practices in accordance with the standardized procedures directed by the regulatory authorities

Required Qualifications and Skills

The basic qualification required for an environment compliance specialist is a Bachelor's degree in environmental science or in other relevant subjects like physical science, environmental engineering, etc., is necessary. Sound knowledge of environmental programs and proceedings is necessary for working in this profile. Job profile of an environmental compliance specialist requires one to handle the environment protection procedures which run in compliance with the regulatory authorities, and hence the candidate with relevant experience in the same field is preferred over others. Acquiring an internship program or research fellowship with any federal agency like EPA may help one to gain relevant experience for applying for this post.

Apart from educational qualification and experience, certain additional skills are required for carrying out the job responsibilities in this profile. Additional skills requirement comprise technical writing skills for writing scientific documents on the environmental studies, verbal and written communication skills for communicating effectively with environmental regulating authorities, critical reviewing skills for analysis, and development of technical reports on conducted research.

Work Environment

Environmental compliance specialists are required to work with toxic and hazardous substances for testing and analyzing the magnitude of potential hazard involved in them. Their work profile requires them to work in both indoor and outdoor conditions, involving their exposure to changing weather conditions. They are required to work in 8 hours shifts on rotational basis including weekends and holidays, and they may have to work overtime and respond to the urgent requests in case of emergencies.

Salary Compensation

The average salary range of an environmental compliance specialist falls in the range of $50,000 to $80,000 annually. The figures only suggest the average range of salary compensation for this profile in the United States. Actual salary obtained may differ from this range depending upon the educational qualifications, experience, industry applied, and work location.

The work profile of environmental compliance specialist is very versatile, and it requires one to have appropriate knowledge, experience, and skills for successfully carrying out its responsibilities. A brief description on environmental compliance specialist responsibilities mentioned above will certainly help you to decide your next step for acquiring a better position in this profile.