Environmental Scientists & Specialists

Learn about this occupation – including typical duties, education required, salary and job outlook information, job boards and more.

Environmental Scientists and Specialists conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or the health of the population. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, they may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources. (O*NET Online)

Environmental Scientists and Specialists are a diverse group of professionals who work in a wide-variety of settings. This profile page includes information about Environmental Scientists and specialists, including: Environmental Auditors, Impact Assessment Specialists, Environmental Officers, Environmental Coordinators, Reclamation Specialists and Remediation Specialists. In addition to the resources below, you may also wish to view the related occupational links to the right.

Occupational profile

Find detailed information about the occupation, including typical duties and working conditions, in the links below:

Education

For most entry-level jobs, environmental scientists and specialists must have a bachelor’s degree in a science-related field, such as environmental science, biology, chemistry, physics, geosciences, or engineering. A master’s degree may be needed for some positions or for advancement. Environmental scientists and specialists who have a doctoral degree make up a small percentage of the occupation, and this level of training typically is needed only for the relatively few postsecondary teaching and basic research positions.  (Occupational Outlook Handbook)  

The University of Manitoba offers a range of applicable bachelor's degrees including Environmental Science, Biological Sciences, Agroecology, Chemistry and Civil Engineering (Environmental Engineering option).  A similar range of Masters and PhD programs are also offered. 

U of M Academic Calendar
The Academic Calendar & Catalogue outlines program admission and course requirements. Use the left menu to navigate to a specific faculty and program. To determine which degree path suits your unique occupational goals, speak with a Career Consultant. For support with course registration and academic issues, speak with an Academic Advisor. 

Faculty and Department Homepages
Visit the faculty and department homepage to learn about program application deadlines and processes, as well as additional in-house resources and opportunities.

Exploring Other Education Options

Information for foreign-trained professionals - Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials

Labour market information

Labour market information informs users of supply and demand for specific occupations and sectors. It includes such things as salary and job outlook information. These resources support informed career decision making and job search efforts. 

Resources

Professional Associations
Professional associations organize events and directories, job postings, career and labour market information. Student membership opportunities are also available. This is a great way to learn and network. The following associations are a sample of those related to this field. 

Directories, Industry Associations, and Sector Councils
These resources provide industry news, labour market information and a list of potential employers. Remember, there are usually multiple industries worth exploring. 

Job Boards
Search occupations of interest in the industry-specific job boards below to learn about skill requirements, employers, job duties and available jobs. You may also wish to search more general online job boards. 

Other links

External resources that will provide you with additional information about the occupation, areas of work and opportunities to build experience: 

Related occupations

Last updated: March 17, 2021