Environmental Auditor
Environmental auditors assess the environmental performance of operations in business and industry.
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Avg. Salary $89,167.00
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Avg. Wage $44.02
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Minimum Education 2 years post-secondary
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Outlook below avg
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Employed 9,200
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In Demand Lower
Also Known As
Hazardous Waste Auditor, Industrial Hygiene Auditor, Inspector, Investigator, Remediation and Reclamation Specialist, Solid Waste Auditor, Water Quality Specialist
NOC Codes
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
- 2006 NOC: Inspectors in Public and Environmental Health and Occupational Health and Safety (2263)
- 2006 NOC-S: Inspectors in Public and Environmental Health and Occupational Health and Safety (C163)
- 2011 NOC: Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety (2263)
- 2016 NOC: Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety (2263)
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
34%
34%
Average Wage
Starting
Overall
Top
Average Wage
| Starting | $36.46 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $44.02 |
| Top | $49.92 |
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Certification Not Regulated
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Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
Interest Codes
The Environmental Auditor is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Inspectors in Public and Environmental Health and Occupational Health and Safety
- METHODICAL
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Interest in handling materials to collect water samples and other materials for analyses; and to develop, implement and evaluate health and safety programs and strategies
- INNOVATIVE
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Interest in analyzing data from investigations of health and safety related complaints, spills of hazardous chemicals, outbreaks of diseases and poisonings and from workplace accidents and illnesses
- DIRECTIVE
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Interest in speaking with employers, employees and the general public to deliver training and advise on public health, environmental protection and workplace safety issues; and in initiating enforcement procedures to fine or to close establishments that contravene municipal, provincial and federal regulations
Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Duties
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Environmental auditors assess the management of operations in all types of businesses to ensure corporate and government standards of environmental control are being met. Their objective is to detect any existing or potential environmental compliance problems or management system deficiencies, and make recommendations.
Environmental auditors may conduct compliance audits or management system audits:
- Compliance audits assess how well businesses meet standards set out in environmental legislation and guidelines, and internal company guidelines.
- Management performance audits measure conformance to management system criteria or assess the adequacy and effectiveness of management system controls.
Depending on their areas of specialization, environmental auditors may:
- review the overall operations of the businesses they are assessing
- select and manage an audit team
- gather data using questionnaires, on-site inspections, document reviews or interviews
- examine clients' records for appropriate government permits and requirements, safety standards, maintenance and inventory control measures
- review management systems, emergency preparedness and response procedures, employee training (for compliance with corporate and government standards), environmental monitoring programs and waste management efforts
- write final audit reports and discuss findings and recommendations with clients
- make presentations to directors and management
- assist businesses in developing environmental management plans (policies and procedures)
- follow up to ensure corrective and preventive actions in audit findings have been addressed.
Working Conditions
Updated Dec 19, 2016
When analyzing data, researching policies and regulations, compiling audit results and preparing presentations, environmental auditors primarily work in offices. However, they visit manufacturing plants to conduct interviews, gather data and assess outdoor operations. Inspecting industrial sites involves travel away from the office. Meeting with clients may also involve travel.
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Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
Skills & Abilities
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Environmental auditors need to possess:
- impartiality
- open-mindedness
- tact
- observance and perceptiveness
- adaptability
- persistence
- ability to critically analyze information and make logical, timely decisions
- ability to communicate effectively in writing and in person
- ability to work effectively both independently and with others.
They should enjoy having clear rules and guidelines for their work, analyzing data, finding innovative solutions to problems and directing the work of others.
Educational Requirements
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Environmental auditors must be knowledgeable about environmental management methods and techniques, related legislation and regulations, and business and industrial operations. Most have post-secondary education in environmental, scientific or engineering fields such as biology, chemistry, environmental sciences or environmental engineering. They may have an undergraduate degree in engineering, science, environmental law or environmental studies, or related work experience or a technical diploma specializing in environmental technology, chemical technology or engineering technology. For on-site audits, safety training may be required.
Prior to enrolling in an education program, prospective students should contact associations and employers in this field to investigate education options and employment possibilities. Specific courses are required for accreditation. Environmental auditors who have the authority to sign off audits are required to have a related professional designation or a university degree.
Post-secondary schools throughout Alberta offer programs in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, environmental science and related disciplines.
Related Education
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Royal Roads University
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
University of Alberta
- Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Conservation Sciences - Conservation Biology and Management
- Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Conservation Sciences - Environmental Economics and Policy
- Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Conservation Sciences - Human Dimensions of Environmental Management
- Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Conservation Sciences - Land Reclamation
- Environmental Remediation
- Land Reclamation
University of Calgary
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification Requirements
Updated Dec 19, 2016
The Canadian Environmental Certification Approvals Board (CECAB) oversees the administration, evaluation and approval of ECO Canada's Environmental Professional (EP) certification.
Qualified Individuals may also pursue ECO Canada's Compliance Auditor (CEA) or Environmental Management Systems Lead Auditor (EMSLA) certifications.
The Auditing Association of Canada (AAC) offers the Provisional Environmental Auditor (PEA) certification for individuals who have formal training but lack field experience.
For more information about becoming a certified environmental professional, visit the ECO Canada website.
Employment & Advancement
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Environmental auditors may be employed by or work on a contract basis for:
- engineering and environmental consulting firms
- government departments
- utility companies
- manufacturing firms
- resource-based companies (agriculture, forestry, mining, oil and gas).
Experienced environmental auditors may advance to supervisory and management positions.
Environmental auditors are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2263: Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety. In Alberta, 85% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
- Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction (PDF)
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PDF)
- Public Administration (PDF)
- Construction (PDF)
- Manufacturing (PDF)
- Transportation and Warehousing (PDF)
- Health Care and Social Assistance (PDF)
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
- trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
- location in Alberta
- employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
- occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions)
- size of the occupation.
Over 9,400 Albertans are employed in the Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.0% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 94 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As environmental auditors form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for environmental auditors.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Wage & Salary
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Salaries for environmental auditors vary considerably depending on their qualifications and the responsibilities of the position.
Hourly Wage
For full-time and part-time employees
- Low
- High
- Average
- Median
Starting
Overall
Top
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $20.00 | $58.67 | $36.46 | $37.00 |
| Overall | $23.10 | $68.42 | $44.02 | $42.00 |
| Top | $25.00 | $80.62 | $49.92 | $47.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Industry Information
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $129,015 |
|---|---|
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $112,760 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $100,227 |
| Public Administration | $95,885 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $89,167 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $85,114 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $79,355 |
| Manufacturing | $77,946 |
| Construction | $73,208 |
| Educational Services | $70,368 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $69,185 |
| Retail Trade | $64,403 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | $59,224 |
| Wholesale Trade | $55,573 |
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
34%
34%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
22%
22%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
3%
3%
Vacancy Rate
2%
Other Sources of Information
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Auditing Association of Canada (AAC) website: www.auditingcanada.com
Canadian Environmental Certification Approvals Board (CECAB) website: www.cecab.org
ECO Canada website: www.eco.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Dec 19, 2016. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
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