What Do Environmental Compliance Inspectors Do?

Position Description Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

Life As an Environmental Compliance Inspector

• Research and keep informed of pertinent information and developments in areas such as EPA laws and regulations.
• Participate in the development of spill prevention programs and hazardous waste rules and regulations, and recommend corrective actions for hazardous waste problems.
• Maintain and repair materials, worksites, and equipment.
• Investigate complaints and suspected violations regarding illegal dumping, pollution, pesticides, product quality, or labeling laws.
• Observe and record field conditions, gathering, interpreting, and reporting data such as flow meter readings and chemical levels.
• Examine permits, licenses, applications, and records to ensure compliance with licensing requirements.

Environmental Compliance Inspector Needed Skills

When polled, Environmental Compliance Inspectors say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Related Job Titles

• Compliance Coordinator
• Agricultural Chemicals Registration Specialist
• Oil Program Compliance Specialist
• Environmental Specialist
• Industrial Waste Inspector

Job Demand for Environmental Compliance Inspectors

There were about 288,300 jobs for Compliance Officers in 2016 (in the United States).

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.2% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 23,700 new jobs for Environmental Compliance Inspectors by 2026. The BLS estimates 25,900 yearly job openings in this field per year.

The states with the most job growth for Compliance Officers are Texas, California, and New York.

Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Wyoming, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Environmental Compliance Inspector Average Salary

The average yearly salary of an Environmental Compliance Inspector ranges between $38,320 and $109,650. An Environmental Compliance Inspector median salary is $68,860.

How much do Compliance Officers make in each U.S. state?

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
District of Columbia	$93,240
Connecticut	$84,590
Washington	$84,340
New Jersey	$83,210
Massachusetts	$83,100
California	$82,380
Alaska	$80,840
Delaware	$77,670
Maryland	$77,250
Rhode Island	$76,440
New York	$76,370
Minnesota	$76,190
Virginia	$75,900
Texas	$74,690
Illinois	$74,180
Colorado	$73,710
Oregon	$71,860
Michigan	$71,470
Pennsylvania	$71,090
North Dakota	$70,970
New Hampshire	$70,670
Hawaii	$69,980
Vermont	$69,520
Nebraska	$68,610
New Mexico	$68,290
Alabama	$67,700
Nevada	$67,540
Wyoming	$67,370
Ohio	$67,140
North Carolina	$67,100
Maine	$66,230
Arizona	$64,340
Florida	$63,890
Iowa	$63,340
Georgia	$63,030
Wisconsin	$62,700
Montana	$62,620
Missouri	$62,180
Indiana	$61,970
Tennessee	$61,780
South Carolina	$61,390
Louisiana	$61,230
West Virginia	$60,740
Kansas	$60,030
Utah	$59,470
Idaho	$59,420
Oklahoma	$59,340
Kentucky	$58,260
South Dakota	$57,930
Arkansas	$56,820
Mississippi	$54,700

What Tools & Technology do Environmental Compliance Inspectors Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Environmental Compliance Inspectors may use on a daily basis:

• Autodesk AutoCAD
• Microsoft SharePoint
• Microsoft Word
• Geographic information system GIS software
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Project
• SAP software
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software
• Microsoft Excel
• UNIX

Where Environmental Compliance Inspectors Are Employed

Related Careers

Those interested in being an Environmental Compliance Inspector may also be interested in:

• Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
• Environmental Engineering Technicians

Those who work as Environmental Compliance Inspectors sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

• Industrial Safety and Health Engineers

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons