All About Sustainability Specialists
Example of Sustainability Specialist Job Address organizational sustainability issues, such as waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans.
Daily Life Of a Sustainability Specialist
- Research or review regulatory, technical, or market issues related to sustainability.
- Assess or propose sustainability initiatives, considering factors such as cost effectiveness, technical feasibility, and acceptance.
- Identify or investigate violations of natural resources, waste management, recycling, or other environmental policies.
- Review and revise sustainability proposals or policies.
- Create marketing or outreach media, such as brochures or Web sites, to communicate sustainability issues, procedures, or objectives.
- Provide technical or administrative support for sustainability programs or issues.
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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.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Other Sustainability Specialist Job Titles
- Sustainable Design Consultant
- Sustainability Analyst
- Sustainability Project Analyst
- Senior Sustainability Advisor
- Integrated Solutions Consultant
What Kind of Sustainability Specialist Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 1,023,900 jobs for Sustainability Specialist in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 90,400 new jobs for Sustainability Specialist by 2026. There will be an estimated 104,200 positions for Sustainability Specialist per year.
The states with the most job growth for Sustainability Specialist are Utah, Nevada, and Arkansas. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maine, or Oklahoma. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Sustainability Specialist Salary
The salary for Sustainability Specialists ranges between about $38,420 and $123,000 a year.
Sustainability Specialists who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Sustainability Specialists make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $85,140 |
| Alaska | $82,160 |
| Arizona | $67,670 |
| Arkansas | $59,530 |
| California | $83,470 |
| Colorado | $82,130 |
| Connecticut | $78,120 |
| Delaware | $81,880 |
| District of Columbia | $102,730 |
| Florida | $66,440 |
| Georgia | $75,070 |
| Hawaii | $73,310 |
| Idaho | $67,630 |
| Illinois | $71,780 |
| Indiana | $61,290 |
| Iowa | $65,020 |
| Kansas | $74,520 |
| Kentucky | $66,450 |
| Louisiana | $60,430 |
| Maine | $66,760 |
| Maryland | $91,400 |
| Massachusetts | $85,980 |
| Michigan | $70,410 |
| Minnesota | $71,220 |
| Mississippi | $65,650 |
| Missouri | $73,500 |
| Montana | $66,290 |
| Nebraska | $74,370 |
| Nevada | $71,580 |
| New Hampshire | $70,890 |
| New Jersey | $78,920 |
| New Mexico | $70,340 |
| New York | $83,330 |
| North Carolina | $74,040 |
| North Dakota | $73,010 |
| Ohio | $71,190 |
| Oklahoma | $72,940 |
| Oregon | $68,890 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,910 |
| Rhode Island | $80,380 |
| South Carolina | $69,340 |
| South Dakota | $70,830 |
| Tennessee | $62,330 |
| Texas | $80,140 |
| Utah | $72,100 |
| Vermont | $67,910 |
| Virginia | $88,180 |
| Washington | $77,850 |
| West Virginia | $70,180 |
| Wisconsin | $57,620 |
| Wyoming | $69,740 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Sustainability Specialists
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Sustainability Specialists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- JavaScript
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Visio
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Structured query language SQL
- Microsoft Publisher
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Extensible markup language XML
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
Becoming a Sustainability Specialist
Education needed to be a Sustainability Specialist:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Sustainability Specialist?
Who Employs Sustainability Specialists?
Below are examples of industries where Sustainability Specialists work:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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