environmental-expert/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — environmental expert

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 19-2041.00 (Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health).

Task statements

• [Core] Conduct environmental audits or inspections or investigations of violations.
• [Core] Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
• [Core] Provide advice on proper standards and regulations or the development of policies, strategies, or codes of practice for environmental management.
• [Core] Collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.
• [Core] Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
• [Core] Provide scientific or technical guidance, support, coordination, or oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.
• [Core] Process and review environmental permits, licenses, or related materials.
• [Core] Supervise or train students, environmental technologists, technicians, or other related staff.
• [Core] Prepare charts or graphs from data samples, providing summary information on the environmental relevance of the data.
• [Core] Monitor environmental impacts of development activities.
• [Core] Research sources of pollution to determine their effects on the environment and to develop theories or methods of pollution abatement or control.
• [Core] Monitor effects of pollution or land degradation and recommend means of prevention or control.
• [Supplemental] Evaluate violations or problems discovered during inspections to determine appropriate regulatory actions or to provide advice on the development and prosecution of regulatory cases.
• [Supplemental] Analyze data to determine validity, quality, and scientific significance and to interpret correlations between human activities and environmental effects.
• [Supplemental] Determine data collection methods to be employed in research projects or surveys.
• [Supplemental] Conduct applied research on environmental topics, such as waste control or treatment or pollution abatement methods.
• [Supplemental] Develop the technical portions of legal documents, administrative orders, or consent decrees.
• [Supplemental] Investigate and report on accidents affecting the environment.
• [Supplemental] Develop programs designed to obtain the most productive, non-damaging use of land.
• [Supplemental] Design or direct studies to obtain technical environmental information about planned projects.
• [Supplemental] Develop methods to minimize the impact of production processes on the environment, based on the study and assessment of industrial production, environmental legislation, and physical, biological, and social environments.
• [Supplemental] Plan or develop research models, using knowledge of mathematical and statistical concepts.

Detailed work activities

• Advise others about environmental management or conservation.
• Advise others on matters of public policy.
• Assess compliance with environmental laws.
• Compile environmental or climatological data.
• Develop environmental sustainability plans or projects.
• Develop plans to manage natural or renewable resources.
• Develop sustainable industrial or development methods.
• Develop theories or models of physical phenomena.
• Direct technical activities or operations.
• Monitor environmental impacts of production or development activities.
• Plan environmental research.
• Prepare information or documentation related to legal or regulatory matters.
• Prepare research or technical reports on environmental issues.
• Provide technical information or assistance to public.
• Research environmental impact of industrial or development activities.
• Research impacts of environmental conservation initiatives.
• Review environmental permits, plans, or reports.
• Supervise scientific or technical personnel.
• Supervise trainees.