All About Sustainability Specialists
Sustainability Specialist Definition Address organizational sustainability issues, such as waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans.
A Day in the Life of a Sustainability Specialist
- Review and revise sustainability proposals or policies.
- Monitor or track sustainability indicators, such as energy usage, natural resource usage, waste generation, and recycling.
- Research or review regulatory, technical, or market issues related to sustainability.
- Identify or create new sustainability indicators.
- Identify or investigate violations of natural resources, waste management, recycling, or other environmental policies.
- Assess or propose sustainability initiatives, considering factors such as cost effectiveness, technical feasibility, and acceptance.
Qualities of a Sustainability Specialist
When polled, Sustainability Specialists 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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Related Job Titles
- Energy Analyst
- Continuous Improvement Sustainability Leader
- Integrated Solutions Consultant
- Renewable Energy Consultant
- Senior Sustainability Consultant
Job Demand for Sustainability Specialists
In the United States, there were 1,023,900 jobs for Business Operations Specialists in 2016.
New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.8% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 90,300 new jobs for Sustainability Specialists by 2026. The BLS estimates 104,200 yearly job openings in this field per year.
The states with the most job growth for Business Operations Specialists are California, Florida, and Texas.
Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, South Dakota, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Sustainability Specialist Salary
The average yearly salary of a Sustainability Specialist ranges between $38,420 and $123,000. The median salary is $70,530.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
|
District of Columbia |
$102,730 |
|
Maryland |
$91,400 |
|
Virginia |
$88,180 |
|
Massachusetts |
$85,980 |
|
Alabama |
$85,140 |
|
California |
$83,470 |
|
New York |
$83,330 |
|
Alaska |
$82,160 |
|
Colorado |
$82,130 |
|
Delaware |
$81,880 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$80,910 |
|
Rhode Island |
$80,380 |
|
Texas |
$80,140 |
|
New Jersey |
$78,920 |
|
Connecticut |
$78,120 |
|
Washington |
$77,850 |
|
Georgia |
$75,070 |
|
Kansas |
$74,520 |
|
Nebraska |
$74,370 |
|
North Carolina |
$74,040 |
|
Missouri |
$73,500 |
|
Hawaii |
$73,310 |
|
North Dakota |
$73,010 |
|
Oklahoma |
$72,940 |
|
Utah |
$72,100 |
|
Illinois |
$71,780 |
|
Nevada |
$71,580 |
|
Minnesota |
$71,220 |
|
Ohio |
$71,190 |
|
New Hampshire |
$70,890 |
|
South Dakota |
$70,830 |
|
Michigan |
$70,410 |
|
New Mexico |
$70,340 |
|
West Virginia |
$70,180 |
|
Wyoming |
$69,740 |
|
South Carolina |
$69,340 |
|
Oregon |
$68,890 |
|
Vermont |
$67,910 |
|
Arizona |
$67,670 |
|
Idaho |
$67,630 |
|
Maine |
$66,760 |
|
Kentucky |
$66,450 |
|
Florida |
$66,440 |
|
Montana |
$66,290 |
|
Mississippi |
$65,650 |
|
Iowa |
$65,020 |
|
Tennessee |
$62,330 |
|
Indiana |
$61,290 |
|
Louisiana |
$60,430 |
|
Arkansas |
$59,530 |
|
Wisconsin |
$57,620 |
What Tools do Sustainability Specialists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Sustainability Specialists:
- Autodesk Revit
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Project
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Google Analytics
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Visio
Where Sustainability Specialists Are Employed
References
Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons
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