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Sustainability Specialist

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All About Sustainability Specialists

Job Description & Duties Address organizational sustainability issues, such as waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans.

List of Sustainability Specialist Job Duties

  • Assess or propose sustainability initiatives, considering factors such as cost effectiveness, technical feasibility, and acceptance.
  • Create or maintain plans or other documents related to sustainability projects.
  • Collect information about waste stream management or green building practices to inform decision makers.
  • Monitor or track sustainability indicators, such as energy usage, natural resource usage, waste generation, and recycling.
  • Identify or investigate violations of natural resources, waste management, recycling, or other environmental policies.
  • Review and revise sustainability proposals or policies.

Sustainability Specialist Needed Skills

Sustainability Specialists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

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

  • Senior Sustainability Consultant
  • Energy Analyst
  • Sustainability Coach
  • Water Resources Project Manager
  • Sustainable Business Operations Specialist

Sustainability Specialist Job Outlook

In the United States, there were 1,023,900 jobs for Sustainability Specialist in 2016. 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 104,200 job openings in this field each year.

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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 Average Salary

The average yearly salary of a Sustainability Specialist ranges between $38,420 and $123,000.

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Sustainability Specialists who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, make the highest salaries.

How much do Sustainability Specialists make in different U.S. states?

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

What Tools & Technology do Sustainability Specialists Use?

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

How do I Become a Sustainability Specialist?

Learn what Sustainability Specialist education requirements there are.

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Sustainability Specialist?

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Where Sustainability Specialists Work

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Below are examples of industries where Sustainability Specialists work:

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References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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