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Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

What you’d do

  • Determine the nature of code violations and actions to be taken, and issue written notices of violation, participating in enforcement hearings, as necessary.
  • Prepare, organize, and maintain inspection records.
  • Investigate complaints and suspected violations regarding illegal dumping, pollution, pesticides, product quality, or labeling laws.
  • Determine which sites and violation reports to investigate, and coordinate compliance and enforcement activities with other government agencies.
  • Interview individuals to determine the nature of suspected violations and to obtain evidence of violations.
  • Inform individuals and groups of pollution control regulations and inspection findings, and explain how problems can be corrected.
  • Verify that hazardous chemicals are handled, stored, and disposed of in accordance with regulations.
  • Learn and observe proper safety precautions, rules, regulations, and practices so that unsafe conditions can be recognized and proper safety protocols implemented.

Skills that matter

  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Active Learning

How to get there

Considerable preparation: most need a four-year bachelor's degree

Also called

  • Enforcement Officer
  • Environmental Inspector
  • Environmental Protection Specialist
  • Environmental Quality Analyst
  • Air Permitting and Enforcement Inspector
  • Compliance Investigator

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