Occupation
Environmental scientist
Environmental scientists investigate how human activity affects air, water, soil, and ecosystems, and what can be done about it. A large share of the work is regulatory: site investigations, permit applications, monitoring programmes, and impact assessments. Findings usually have to be defensible to a regulator, not just scientifically interesting.
Also known as: Environmental consultant · Contaminated land specialist · Environmental analyst
Occupation content
Part of Natural sciences and research
What the work involves
- Design and carry out sampling programmes for soil, water, air, or waste
- Interpret laboratory results against relevant environmental standards and guideline values
- Investigate contamination sources and assess exposure pathways
- Prepare impact assessments, permit applications, and monitoring reports
- Advise clients or operators on remediation and compliance options
- Maintain chain-of-custody and quality assurance records for every sample
How people commonly enter
- A degree in environmental science, geology, chemistry, or a related discipline
- A college diploma in environmental technology, entering as a technician and progressing
- Postgraduate study for specialist areas such as contaminated land or air quality
- Graduate schemes with consultancies, regulators, utilities, or industrial operators
Typical training: Bachelor's degree
Licensing: Certification common, not usually required
Typical work context
Outdoors · Client sites · Desk based · Team based · Involves travel · Varied work
Related interests
Investigative (analytical) · Realistic (hands-on) · Conventional (organizing)
Related aptitude preparation
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Skills to practise
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Natural sciences and research.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- O*NET OnLine — occupation search: environmental scientist · International
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- US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook: Environmental scientists and specialists · United States
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- ESCO — occupations classification browser · European Union
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Natural sciences and research in Canada, not a figure for Environmental scientist. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Natural sciences and research family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Natural sciences and research: education pathways
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Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Natural sciences and research: licensing
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
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