Roles and Responsibilities in the Environment

There are many roles and responsibilities in the environment, and many require a specific level of knowledge. Typical roles, responsibilities and qualifications for those positions are included below.

This site also includes details on Developing Environmental Knowledge and Skills and Moving On into The Environment

For more information regarding National Qualification Frameworks (NQF) please visit http://www.qcda.gov.uk/qualifications/60.aspx

Level of Authority Typical Role Title Typical Responsibilities National Qualification Framework Level
Strategic Management Head of Environment

Health, Safety and Environment Director

Environmental Director

Technical Director

Associate EIA Director

Project Director (i.e. waste, water, land)
  • Overall governance and strategy
  • Development of risk strategy
  • Legislative compliance
  • Policy development
  • Environmental strategy as part of business strategy
 6 - 8 (Level 6 National Diplomas, Honours degrees, Masters and Doctorates)
Tactical/Operational Management Environmental Impact Manager

EIA (or topic specific) Manager

Environmental Performance Manager

Environmental Compliance Manager

Environmental Consultant

Environmental Scientist

Energy & Environment Manager/Officer

Sustainability Manager

Health, Safety & Environment Manager

Project Manager (Topic Specific i.e. Waste, Air, Water)

Environmental Education Manager/Officer

Contaminated Land Manager/Officer

EMS Manager/ Leader

Consultants
  • Leading in specific projects
  • EMS Auditing
  • Development of EMS procedures
  • HSE practice development
  • Strategy Implementation
  • Management of reviews, investigations and studies
  • Maintain policies
  • Identification of risks
  • Maintenance of EMS
  • Report preparation
  • Monitor legislation and assess impact
  • Environmental management plans
  • Policy development
  • Management systems
  • Audit control
  • Procedure Development
  • Risk Assessment
  • Legislation guidance
  • Good practice guidance
  • Environmental Audits
  • Compliance Planning and promotion
  • Research activities
  • Input to strategic planning
  • Compliance Planning and promotion
  • Research activities
  • Input to strategic planning
 4 - 8 (Level 4 Certificates in Education, Level 5 HND and Foundation degrees, Level 6 National Diplomas, Bachelors degrees and higher)
Technical Operators/Advisors

Environmental Planner

Environmental Policy Officer

Environmental Specialist

Environmental Assessor

EIA (or topic specific) Assessor

Air Pollution Control Officer

Environmental Advisor

Sustainability (or topic specific) Advisor

Energy & Environment Officer

Sustainability Assessor

Waste Management Officer

Water Management Officer

Contaminated Land Engineer

Health, Safety and Environment Assessor

Health, Safety and Environment Officer

Environmental Education Officer

Enforcement Officer

Planning Officer

Environmental Auditor

National Parks Officer
  • Technical input to policies and procedures
  • Risk identification
  • Policy implementation
  • Internal auditing
  • Technical project delivery
  • EIA/SEA delivery
  • Development of conservation plans
  • Environmental auditing
  • Field surveys
  • Implementation of energy management systems
  • Delivery of compliance plans
  • Subject specific advice
  • Technical advice for design strategies
  • Provision of technical advice to clients and customers
  • Workshop and training provision to clients and customers
  • Provision of technical support to operational teams
  • Participation in site investigations and good practice forums
  • Information Research
 4 - 8 (Level 4 Certificates in Education, Level 5 HND and Foundation degrees, Level 6 National Diplomas, Bachelors degrees and higher)