What is a Sustainability Specialist?
Example of Sustainability Specialist Job Address organizational sustainability issues, such as waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans.
Life As a Sustainability Specialist: What Do They Do?
- Collect information about waste stream management or green building practices to inform decision makers.
- Identify or create new sustainability indicators.
- Develop sustainability project goals, objectives, initiatives, or strategies in collaboration with other sustainability professionals.
- Provide technical or administrative support for sustainability programs or issues.
- Develop reports or presentations to communicate the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives.
- Identify or investigate violations of natural resources, waste management, recycling, or other environmental policies.
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Sustainability Specialist Required 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.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
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.
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
- Continuous Improvement Sustainability Leader
- Energy Analyst
- Sustainability Project Manager
- Chief Specialist, LEED (Chief Specialist, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
- Senior Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Specialist Employment Estimates
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 1,023,900 jobs in the United States for Sustainability Specialist. 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.
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.
What is the Average Salary of a Sustainability Specialist
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.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Sustainability Specialists 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.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Sustainability Specialist?
Where Sustainability Specialists Are Employed
The table below shows the approximate number of Sustainability Specialists employed by various industries.
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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