Skip to content
ESCO occupation

environmental scientist

Back to ESCO occupations

Environmental scientists identify problems and find solutions in order to minimize environmental hazards by performing analysis on samples such as air, water or soil. They advise on or develop environmental policies and aim to improve water supplies preservation and manage waste disposal sites. Environmental scientists perform environmental risk assessments and analyse the environmental impact of new solutions, construction sites or environmental changes ensuring the environmental regulations are followed.

2133.7 ISCO 2133 ESCO source
Competences
82
Groups
4
Essential
56
Optional
26

Competences and skills

82 ESCO relations
Essential knowledge 8 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

3 competences
environmental management monitors

The hardware and equipment suitable for measurement and live monitoring of environmental parameters.

green
ESCO source
environmental threats

The threats for the environment which are related to biological, chemical, nuclear, radiological, and physical hazards.

green
ESCO source
pollution legislation

Be familiar with European and National legislation regarding the risk of pollution.

green
ESCO source

Cross-sector

5 competences
environmental legislation

The environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.

green
ESCO source
environmental policy

Local, national and international policies dealing with the promotion of environmental sustainability and the development of projects which reduce negative environmental impact and improve the state of the environment.

green
ESCO source
physics

The natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.

ESCO source
pollution prevention

The processes used to prevent pollution: precautions to pollution of the environment, procedures to counter pollution and associated equipment, and possible measures to protect the environment.

green
ESCO source
scientific research methodology

The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.

ESCO source
Essential skills and competences 48 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

6 competences
analyse environmental data

Analyse data that interpret correlations between human activities and environmental effects.

green
ESCO source
assess groundwater environmental impact

Estimate environmental impact of groundwater abstraction and management activities.

green
ESCO source
investigate pollution

Identify the cause of pollution incidents, as well as its nature and the extent of the risks, by performing tests on the site of pollution as well as in a laboratory and performing research.

green
ESCO source
manage intellectual property rights

Deal with the private legal rights that protect the products of the intellect from unlawful infringement.

research
ESCO source
operate open source software

Operate Open Source software, knowing the main Open Source models, licensing schemes, and the coding practices commonly adopted in the production of Open Source software.

digitalresearch
ESCO source
perform environmental investigations

Perform environmental investigations as required, checking regulatory proceedings, possible legal actions or other types of complaint.

green
ESCO source

Cross-sector

42 competences
advise on chemical use reduction

Provide advice to reduce the use of chemicals such as pesticides, the emissions of various chemical substances to limit their impact on the environment, as well as shorten their risk for people. Keep up to date with regulations and policies in the field.

green
ESCO source
advise on environmental risk management systems

Evaluate requirements and advise on systems for environmental risk management. Ensure the customer does his part in preventing or limiting adverse environmental impact through the use of technology. Ensure required licenses and permits are obtained.

green
ESCO source
advise on pollution prevention

Advise individuals and organisations on the development and implementation of actions which aid in the prevention of pollution and its related risks.

green
ESCO source
apply for research funding

Identify key relevant funding sources and prepare research grant application in order to obtain funds and grants. Write research proposals.

research
ESCO source
apply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activities

Apply fundamental ethical principles and legislation to scientific research, including issues of research integrity. Perform, review, or report research avoiding misconducts such as fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism.

research
ESCO source
carry out environmental audits

Use equipment to measure various environmental parameters in order to identify environmental problems and investigate manners in which they can be resolved. Perform inspections in order to ensure compliance with environmental legislation.

green
ESCO source
collect samples for analysis

Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.

Scope note
Follow the procedures required for the collection of materials and products for laboratory analysis.
ESCO source
communicate with a non-scientific audience

Communicate about scientific findings to a non-scientific audience, including the general public. Tailor the communication of scientific concepts, debates, findings to the audience, using a variety of methods for different target groups, including visual presentations.

research
ESCO source
conduct environmental site assessments

Manage and oversee environmental site prospection and assessments for mining or industrial sites. Designate and demarcate areas for geochemical analysis and scientific research.

green
ESCO source
conduct environmental surveys

Conduct surveys in order to collect information for analysis and management of environmental risks within an organisation or in a wider context.

green
ESCO source
conduct research across disciplines

Work and use research findings and data across disciplinary and/or functional boundaries.

research
ESCO source
conduct research before survey

Acquire information about property and its boundaries before the survey by searching legal records, survey records, and land titles.

ESCO source
demonstrate disciplinary expertise

Demonstrate deep knowledge and complex understanding of a specific research area, including responsible research, research ethics and scientific integrity principles, privacy and GDPR requirements, related to research activities within a specific discipline.

research
ESCO source
develop environmental remediation strategies

Develop strategies for the removal of pollution and contaminants from soil, groundwater, surface water, or sediment, taking into account environmental remediation regulations and available technologies.

green
ESCO source
develop professional network with researchers and scientists

Develop alliances, contacts or partnerships, and exchange information with others. Foster integrated and open collaborations where different stakeholders co-create shared value research and innovations. Develop your personal profile or brand and make yourself visible and available in face-to-face and online networking environments.

research
ESCO source
disseminate results to the scientific community

Publicly disclose scientific results by any appropriate means, including conferences, workshops, colloquia and scientific publications.

research
ESCO source
draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentation

Draft and edit scientific, academic or technical texts on different subjects.

research
ESCO source
ensure compliance with environmental legislation

Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are compliant with environment regulations and best practices.

green
ESCO source
evaluate research activities

Review proposals, progress, impact and outcomes of peer researchers, including through open peer review.

research
ESCO source
implement environmental protection measures

Enforce environmental criteria to prevent environmental damage. Strive for the efficient use of resources in order to prevent waste and reduce costs. Motivate colleagues to take relevant steps to operate in an environmentally friendly manner.

green
ESCO source
increase the impact of science on policy and society

Influence evidence-informed policy and decision making by providing scientific input to and maintaining professional relationships with policymakers and other stakeholders.

research
ESCO source
integrate gender dimension in research

Take into account in the whole research process the biological characteristics and the evolving social and cultural features of women and men (gender).

research
ESCO source
interact professionally in research and professional environments

Show consideration to others as well as collegiality. Listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others, also involving staff supervision and leadership in a professional setting.

research
ESCO source
manage environmental management system

Develop and implement an environmental management system.

digitalgreen
ESCO source
manage findable accessible interoperable and reusable data

Produce, describe, store, preserve and (re) use scientific data based on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, making data as open as possible, and as closed as necessary.

digitalresearch
ESCO source
manage open publications

Be familiar with Open Publication strategies, with the use of information technology to support research, and with the development and management of CRIS (current research information systems) and institutional repositories. Provide licensing and copyright advice, use bibliometric indicators, and measure and report research impact.

digitalresearch
ESCO source
manage personal professional development

Take responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional development based on reflection about own practice and through contact with peers and stakeholders. Pursue a cycle of self-improvement and develop credible career plans.

research
ESCO source
manage research data

Produce and analyse scientific data originating from qualitative and quantitative research methods. Store and maintain the data in research databases. Support the re-use of scientific data and be familiar with open data management principles.

digitalresearch
ESCO source
mentor individuals

Mentor individuals by providing emotional support, sharing experiences and giving advice to the individual to help them in their personal development, as well as adapting the support to the specific needs of the individual and heeding their requests and expectations.

research
ESCO source
perform project management

Manage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project's progress in order to achieve a specific goal within a set time and budget.

research
ESCO source
perform scientific research

Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.

research
ESCO source
prepare visual data

Prepare charts and graphs in order to present data in a visual manner.

digital
ESCO source
promote open innovation in research

Apply techniques, models, methods and strategies which contribute to the promotion of steps towards innovation through collaboration with people and organizations outside the organisation.

research
ESCO source
promote the participation of citizens in scientific and research activities

Engage citizens in scientific and research activities and promote their contribution in terms of knowledge, time or resources invested.

research
ESCO source
promote the transfer of knowledge

Deploy broad awareness of processes of knowledge valorisation aimed to maximise the two–way flow of technology, intellectual property, expertise and capability between the research base and industry or the public sector.

research
ESCO source
publish academic research

Conduct academic research, in universities and research institutions, or on a personal account, publish it in books or academic journals with the aim of contributing to a field of expertise and achieving personal academic accreditation.

research
ESCO source
speak different languages

Master foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.

research
ESCO source
synthesise information

Critically read, interpret, and summarise new and complex information from diverse sources.

research
ESCO source
think abstractly

Demonstrate the ability to use concepts in order to make and understand generalisations, and relate or connect them to other items, events, or experiences.

research
ESCO source
use consulting techniques

Advise clients in different personal or professional matters.

ESCO source
use technical drawing software

Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.

digital
ESCO source
write scientific publications

Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.

research
ESCO source
Optional knowledge 12 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

5 competences
ecosystem management

The set of approaches that takes into account the effect of a management decision on other elements of an ecosystem. It also addresses the optimization of diverse management strategies and the challenges that arise from fragmented landscapes.

green
ESCO source
food waste monitoring systems

The characteristics, benefits and ways of using digital tools to collect, monitor and evaluate data on food waste in an organisation or hospitality establishment.

digitalgreen
ESCO source
hydrology

The study of the water concerning the availability and movement of water as well as the impact of human activities on the water cycle.

Scope note
Excludes the study of groundwater, which is the focus of hydrogeology.
ESCO source
mining, construction and civil engineering machinery products

The offered mining, construction and civil engineering machinery products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source
watershed development

The study of the relevant characteristics of a watershed aimed at the sustainable distribution of its resources and the process of creating and implementing plans, programs, and projects to sustain and enhance watershed functions that affect the plant, animal and human communities within a watershed boundary.

green
ESCO source

Cross-sector

7 competences
biology

Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.

green
ESCO source
chemistry

The composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk factors, and disposal methods.

ESCO source
civil engineering

The engineering discipline that studies the design, construction and maintenance of naturally built works such as roads, buildings, and canals.

ESCO source
consumer protection

The current legislation applicable in relation to the rights of consumers in the marketplace.

ESCO source
engineering principles

The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.

ESCO source
environmental engineering

The application of scientific and engineering theories and principles aimed at improving the environment and sustainability, such as the provision of clean habitation necessities (such as air, water, and land) for humans and other organisms, for environmental remediation in the event of pollution, sustainable energy development, and improved waste management and waste reduction methods.

green
ESCO source
hazardous waste storage

The regulations and procedures surrounding the safekeeping of materials and substances which pose health and safety risks.

green
ESCO source
Optional skills and competences 14 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

2 competences
environmental design

The approach that is used to face environmental problems related to buildings, plans, and products in various fields such as engineering, interior design and architecture.

ESCO source
use resource-efficient technologies in hospitality

Implement technological improvements in hospitality establishments, as connectionless food steamers, pre-rinse spray valves and low flow sink taps, which optimise the water and energy consumption in dishwashing, cleaning and food preparation.

green
ESCO source

Cross-sector

12 competences
address public health issues

Promote healthy practices and behaviours to ensure that populations stay healthy.

ESCO source
apply blended learning

Be familiar with blended learning tools by combining traditional face-to-face and online learning, using digital tools, online technologies, and e-learning methods.

digitalresearch
ESCO source
assess environmental plans against financial costs

Assess environmental plans in financial terms in order to balance the expenditure required for environmental improvements. Assess the economic benefit that those investments will bring in the long-term to the company.

ESCO source
carry out training in environmental matters

Perform staff training and ensure all members of the workforce understand how they can contribute to improved environmental performance.

green
ESCO source
handle chemicals

Safely handle industrial chemicals; use them efficiently and ensure that no harm is done to the environment.

ESCO source
have computer literacy

Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.

digital
ESCO source
inspect industrial equipment

Inspect equipment used during industrial activities such as manufacturing or construction equipment in order to ensure that the equipment complies with health, safety, and environmental legislation.

green
ESCO source
interpret visual literacy

Interpret charts, maps, graphics, and other pictorial presentations used in place of the written word.

ESCO source
manage chemical testing procedures

Manage the procedures to be used in chemical testing by designing them and conducting tests accordingly.

ESCO source
monitor manufacturing impact

Check the impact of manufacturing machinery on the environment, analysing temperature levels, water quality and air pollution.

green
ESCO source
teach in academic or vocational contexts

Instruct students in the theory and practice of academic or vocational subjects, transferring the content of own and others' research activities.

research
ESCO source
work with chemicals

Handle chemicals and select specific ones for certain processes. Be aware of the reactions which arise from combining them.

ESCO source