As companies and organizations across industries continue to invest in sustainable, eco-friendly business models, the need for proper direction of these implementations is increasing. Environmental consultants play a key role in the management of sustainability initiatives and leverage their expertise towards a business-based approach to helping companies achieve environmental objectives.
Many levels of skills and competencies are required for environmental consultants to properly provide value to businesses. The role they play in shaping the corporate sustainability of the future is one that impacts the way all environmentally based professionals can think and perform. We’re taking a more in-depth look at environmental consultants and the value they bring to corporate sustainability, what an environmental consultant’s job description entails, how to become one and how understanding environmental consultants can drive positive change in tomorrow’s organizations.
What is an Environmental Consultant?
Environmental consultants aim to provide direction and a clearer path towards corporate decision-making. Environmental consultants combine a variety of technical skills and scientific knowledge to assess environmental situations. The main goal for all environmental consultants is to help companies determine how to achieve balance between reducing negative environmental impacts while remaining profitable and efficient.
Similar to how environmental engineering is a discipline of the engineering field, environmental consulting can be seen as a type of compliance consulting. Environmental consultants are responsible for ensuring maximum compliance adherence, whether that be for local government or industry-specific regulations.
Both environmental consultants and environmental engineers play an important role in sustainability initiatives for many different organizations and industries. Companies who choose to pursue eco-friendly business processes will always need environmental professionals with the knowledge and skills to implement their strategies efficiently and effectively.
Environmental Consultant Job Description
An environmental consultant’s job description and role can be different depending on the organization. Here are some common duties and responsibilities you’d find on an environmental consultant’s job description:
- Provide insight and expertise on environmental concerns and assessments.
- Interpret environmental data gathered in the field to form models and strategies tailored to sustainability objectives.
- Conduct risk and quality control assessments as well as field surveys to determine environmental impact levels.
- Clearly communicate research findings and data to management to provide assistance in decision-making processes.
- Oversee environmental management methodologies aligning with corporate sustainability initiatives and projects.
- Perform research into alternative forms of energy and present them as potential solutions to environmental challenges.
- Develop models identifying areas of inefficiency and the impacts of unsustainable corporate practices.
- Develop sustainability and environmental company policies.
- Ensure compliance with local government and industry regulations.
- Forge relationships with influential environmental stakeholders and present data regarding environment performance and business impacts.
- Champion eco-friendly initiatives and causes to foster an internal corporate culture supporting sustainability.
What Makes a Good Environmental Consultant?
Environmental consultants must be heavily driven by data and analytics. Environmental consultants often must incorporate managerial skills when facilitating field research processes and overseeing sustainability initiatives. Good environmental consultants use their technical skills and industry knowledge to present a comprehensive strategy to organizations on how to optimize efficiency and sustainability. Some of the key skills that make a good environmental consultant include:
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Data-centered mentality.
- Ability to present how environmental impacts could impact different parts of a business.
- Technical skills and knowledge regarding environmental technologies and how to conduct field surveys appropriately.
- Sales skills to communicate findings to stakeholders and other influential parties.
Environmental consultants take the work of environmental engineers and their own field research tasks and combine them to present information to management to help them make more sound, sustainable business decisions.
Outlook for Environmental Consultants
According to Payscale.com, as of September 2024, the average salary for environmental consultants is $65,418*. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports employment of environmental scientists and specialists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, slightly faster than the average rate for all occupations. These projections are expected to steadily increase alongside the increase in popularity of organizations investing in sustainability models and strategies.
How to Become an Environmental Consultant
Environmental scientists and specialists need at least a bachelor’s degree in a natural science or science-related field for most entry-level jobs. Acquiring degrees and certifications showcasing a specification in sustainability empowers individuals to become more well-versed and skilled to meet the demands of organizations searching for sustainability professionals.
Whether you want to pursue a career in sustainability or want to upskill and add important skills to help boost your career prospects and performance at your current organization, continuing your education with certifications in sustainability is a great place to start.
Take the next steps toward prioritizing corporate sustainability in your firm by enrolling in the online Global Certificate in Corporate Sustainability, offered by Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management and UBC Sauder School of Business.
* National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth. The information provided is not intended to represent a complete list of hiring companies or job titles, and program options do not guarantee career or salary outcomes. Students should conduct independent research for specific employment information.