Occupation Summary

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

O*NET 13-1041.01

Description:

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

Annual Wages:
$75,490.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 14.68%.
Education Level:
Bachelor's Degree. According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Public Service

  1. Determine the nature of code violations and actions to be taken, and issue written notices of violation, participating in enforcement hearings, as necessary.
  2. Examine permits, licenses, applications, and records to ensure compliance with licensing requirements.
  3. Prepare, organize, and maintain inspection records.
  4. Interview individuals to determine the nature of suspected violations and to obtain evidence of violations.
  5. Prepare written, oral, tabular, and graphic reports summarizing requirements and regulations, including enforcement and chain of custody documentation.
  6. Monitor follow-up actions in cases where violations were found, and review compliance monitoring reports.
  7. Investigate complaints and suspected violations regarding illegal dumping, pollution, pesticides, product quality, or labeling laws.
  8. Inspect waste pretreatment, treatment, and disposal facilities and systems for conformance to federal, state, or local regulations.
  9. Inform individuals and groups of pollution control regulations and inspection findings, and explain how problems can be corrected.
  10. Determine sampling locations and methods, and collect water or wastewater samples for analysis, preserving samples with appropriate containers and preservation methods.
  11. Verify that hazardous chemicals are handled, stored, and disposed of in accordance with regulations.
  12. Research and keep informed of pertinent information and developments in areas such as EPA laws and regulations.
  13. Determine which sites and violation reports to investigate, and coordinate compliance and enforcement activities with other government agencies.
  14. Observe and record field conditions, gathering, interpreting, and reporting data such as flow meter readings and chemical levels.
  15. Learn and observe proper safety precautions, rules, regulations, and practices so that unsafe conditions can be recognized and proper safety protocols implemented.
  16. Evaluate label information for accuracy and conformance to regulatory requirements.
  17. Inform health professionals, property owners, and the public about harmful properties and related problems of water pollution and contaminated wastewater.
  18. Analyze and implement state, federal or local requirements as necessary to maintain approved pretreatment, pollution prevention, and storm water runoff programs.
  19. Perform laboratory tests on samples collected, such as analyzing the content of contaminated wastewater.
  20. Review and evaluate applications for registration of products containing dangerous materials, or for pollution control discharge permits.
  21. Research and perform calculations related to landscape allowances, discharge volumes, production-based and alternative limits, and wastewater strength classifications, making recommendations and completing documentation.
  22. Participate in the development of spill prevention programs and hazardous waste rules and regulations, and recommend corrective actions for hazardous waste problems.
  23. Maintain and repair materials, work sites, and equipment.
  24. Conduct research on hazardous waste management projects to determine the magnitude of problems and treatment or disposal alternatives and costs.
  25. Respond to questions and inquiries, such as those concerning service charges and capacity fees, or refer them to supervisors.
  26. Prepare data to calculate sewer service charges and capacity fees.


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Environmental Compliance Inspectors employed Annual Growth Rate
Insurance carriers 4.1 0.63
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services 3.3 1.08
Employment services 2.3 0.23
Colleges, universities, and professional schools 2.3 0.34
General medical and surgical hospitals 2.1 0.37
Agencies, brokerages, and other insurance related activities 2.1 1.41


Labor Market Information


2023 Statewide average hourly wage $36.29
2023 National average hourly wage $38.55
2022 National employment 377,500
2022 Texas employment 33,838
Texas projected employment by 2032 38,804
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 3,250




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
84.00%
Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
82.00%
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
69.00%
Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
68.00%
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
67.00%
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
62.00%
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
60.00%
Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
57.80%
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
57.00%
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
55.00%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
80.00%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
80.00%
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.
77.60%
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
77.60%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
77.60%
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
75.00%
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
75.00%
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
75.00%
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
67.60%
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
67.60%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
82.40%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
80.00%
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
80.00%
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
80.00%
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
80.00%
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
80.00%
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
77.60%
Flexibility of Closure
The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
77.60%
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
77.60%
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
75.00%


  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
    -- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Working with Computers
    -- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    -- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Documenting/Recording Information
    -- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Other Activities


  • Achievement
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
  • Working Conditions
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.



Tools

Acoustic sensors: Surface acoustic wave sensors SAWS;

Air samplers or collectors: Atmosphere monitors;

Analytical balances: Laboratory analytical balances;

Atomic absorption AA spectrometers: Graphite furnace atomic absorption GFAA spectrometers;

Chemiluminescence or bioluminescence analyzers: Chlorophyll-a probes;

Coliwasas: Composite liquid waste samplers COLIWASA;

Colorimeters: Colorimetric field sampling devices;

Conductivity meters: Conductance meters; Specific conductance probes;

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Dissolved oxygen meters: Dissolved oxygen probes;

Dropping pipettes: Laboratory dropping pipettes;

Enzyme analyzers: Enzyme immunoassay kits;

Flame ionization analyzers: Continuous flame ionization detectors FID;

Flowmeters: Flowmeters;

Gas chromatographs: Portable gas chromatographs GC;

Gear pumps: Water sampling gear pumps;

Hand pumps: Hand sampling pumps;

Hydrocarbons analyzers or detectors: Laser-induced fluorescence LIF instruments; Fuel fluorescence detectors FFD; Total petroleum hydrocarbon TPH analyzers; Ultraviolet fluorescence UVF test kits;

Inductively coupled plasma ICP spectrometers: Inductively coupled plasma ICP spectrophotometers;

Infrared spectrometers: Extractive Fourier transform infrared FTIR spectrometers; Infrared IR spectrometers;

Interferometers: Interferometers;

Ion analyzers: Photoionization detectors PID;

Ion selective electrode ISE meters: Ion selective electrode ISE testers;

Laboratory bailers: Bottom fill bailers; Double check valve bailers; Thief samplers;

Laboratory graduated cylinders: Measuring cylinders;

Laboratory vials: Headspace vials;

Ladders: Aluminum ladders;

Lasers: Helium-neon lasers;

Liquid chromatographs: Liquid chromatographs LC;

Magnetometer geophysical instruments: Magnetic locators;

Mass spectrometers: Mass spectrometers; Portable mass spectrometers MS;

Notebook computers: Laptop computers;

Optical beamsplitters: Optical beamsplitting devices;

Organic carbon analyzers: Volatile organic compound VOC measurement devices;

Peristaltic pumps: Suction-lift pumps; Groundwater sampling peristaltic pumps;

pH meters: pH indicators;

Photometer: Differential photometers;

Piezo electric crystals: Piezoelectric sensors;

Portable data input terminals: Dataloggers;

Progressive cavity pumps: Progressive cavity sampling pumps;

Radarbased surveillance systems: Ground penetrating radar GPR;

Rotating piston pumps: Reciprocating piston sampling pumps;

Sample holders: Sample bottles; Sample collection chambers;

Sample preparation bombs: Bacon bomb samplers;

Sampling pumps: Bladder pumps; Centrifugal water sampling pumps;

Scaffolding: Scaffolding;

Single gas monitors: Chlorine samplers; Mercury vapor analyzers;

Soil core sampling apparatus: Hydraulic vibracorers; Mobile cone penetrometer MCP systems; Membrane interface probes MIP; Ponar dredge samplers; Russian peat borers; Benthic grab samplers; Box corers; Bucket augers; Ekman grab samplers; Hand corers; Gravity corers; Waste pile samplers; Van Veen grab samplers; Wireline samplers; Power augers; Split core samplers; Split spoon samplers; Shelby tube samplers; Sampling triers; Sand corers;

Spectrofluorimeters or fluorimeters: X ray fluorescence XRF spectrometers;

Spectrometers: Laser-induced breakdown spectrometers LIBS;

Spectrophotometers: Spectrophotometers;

Striking hammers: Rotary hammer systems;

Syringe pumps: Syringe pumps;

Test sieves: Sediment sieves;

Turbidimeters: Turbidity probes;

Two way radios: Portable two way radios;

Water analyzers: Water quality data sondes; Continuous water quality monitors;

Water samplers: Pond samplers; Passive diffusion bag PDB samplers; Kemmerer depth samplers; Liquid grab samplers; Weighted bottle samplers; Wheaton dip samplers; Van Dorn samplers; Wastewater samplers;


Technology

Analytical or scientific software: DQO-PRO; Environmental Knowledge and Assessment Tool EKAT; Field Operations and Records Management System (FORMS) II Lite; Fully Integrated Environmental Location Decision Support FIELDS; HRS Quickscore; Mass Flux Toolkit; Monitoring and Remediation Optimization System MAROS; Rapid Assessment Tools R.A.T.; Spatial Analysis and Decision Assistance SADA; Sustainable Management Approaches and Revitalization Tools SMARTe; Tibco Scribe Software;

Cloud-based data access and sharing software: Microsoft SharePoint;

Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD;

Customer relationship management CRM software: Salesforce software;

Data base user interface and query software: Database software; Microsoft Access;

Document management software: Adobe Acrobat;

Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook;

Enterprise resource planning ERP software: Enterprise resource planning ERP software; SAP software;

Geographic information system: Geographic information system GIS software;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Operating system software: UNIX;

Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint;

Project management software: Microsoft Project;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;

Word processing software: Word processing software; Microsoft Word;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Environmental Compliance Inspectors include:
  • 11-9199.11 Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
  • 11-9199.02 Compliance Managers
  • 17-3025.00 Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
  • 17-2081.00 Environmental Engineers
  • 19-4042.00 Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
  • 19-2041.00 Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
  • 13-1041.04 Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
  • 17-2111.00 Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
  • 19-5011.00 Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
  • 13-1041.07 Regulatory Affairs Specialists


Sources of Additional Information
  • For more information about compliance careers in federal, state, or local government, contact the appropriate government agency.
  • For more information about corporate compliance jobs, visit: Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics
  • CareerOneStop

  • For career videos on compliance officers, visit: Compliance Officers
  • Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
  • Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
  • Compliance Officers
  • Coroners
  • Customs Brokers
  • Environmental Compliance Inspectors
  • Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
  • Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
  • Regulatory Affairs Specialists

  • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.