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Sustainability Specialist

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What Do Sustainability Specialist Do?

Position Description 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?

  • Research or review regulatory, technical, or market issues related to sustainability.
  • Collect information about waste stream management or green building practices to inform decision makers.
  • Create marketing or outreach media, such as brochures or Web sites, to communicate sustainability issues, procedures, or objectives.
  • Develop reports or presentations to communicate the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives.
  • Create or maintain plans or other documents related to sustainability projects.
  • Develop sustainability project goals, objectives, initiatives, or strategies in collaboration with other sustainability professionals.

What a Sustainability Specialist Should Know

Below is a list of the skills most Sustainability Specialists say are important on the job.

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

  • Sustainability Project Manager
  • Lead Sustainability Specialist
  • Water Resources Project Manager
  • Green Consultant
  • Sustainability Coordinator

Job Opportunities for Sustainability Specialists

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.

How Much Does a Sustainability Specialist Make?

Sustainability Specialists make between $38,420 and $123,000 a year.

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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?

Individuals working as a Sustainability Specialist have obtained the following education levels:

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Who Employs Sustainability Specialists?

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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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