1. Energy careers
  2. Environmental, Regulatory and Stakeholder Engagement
  3. Environmental Manager

Environmental Manager

NOC #20011

  • Environment Primarily indoor/office work
  • Education Post-secondary degree
  • Average salary $105,000 to $165,000

Career profile

Environmental managers drive sustainable practices within energy companies, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations while spearheading ongoing improvements. They lead the development of environmental standards, practices, and goals across the organization in order to meet and exceed regulatory and legislative requirements and to reinforce an organization’s commitment to sustainability.

Environmental managers oversee environmental compliance, shape corporate sustainability strategies, and integrate ethical considerations into decision-making and play a pivotal role in aligning company practices with environmental stewardship values. They monitor and report internally on changes to applicable laws and regulations. They interact across business lines, with other companies, governments, regulators and other organizations to anticipate any future standards and to plan for any impacts those might have on their companies’ operations.

Exploration and production, Oil and gas services, Pipelines, Oil sands, Geothermal, Solar, Wind, Carbon capture, utilization and storage, Emissions reduction, Well site decommissioning, Construction

In this occupation activities may include:

  • Consulting with businesses, governments and special interest groups to understand and address concerns.
  • Understanding and monitoring changes in regulatory requirements and international standards, including anticipating the future impacts of proposed legislation and regulations.
  • Developing sustainability goals, standards and practices for the organization to achieve a triple bottom line (accountable to people, planet and profit).
  • Researching and collecting information about life cycle impacts, cradle to cradle technologies and sustainability best practices.
  • Developing reports or presentations related to sustainability initiatives and their results. This includes overseeing the development of Corporate Social Responsibility reports or Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) compliant sustainability reports.

Education

  • A minimum of a four-year university degree in environmental sciences, environmental engineering, biology or a related scientific or technical discipline is usually required.
  • A master’s degree in a related discipline may be required.
  • Employers often prefer extensive knowledge of Corporate Social Responsibility planning and reporting, the UN Global Compact and/or Global Responsibility Index (GRI) reporting.

Additional Requirements

  • Often a minimum of 10 years’ experience in the industry is requested as a deep knowledge of the oil and natural gas industry is critical to understand and mitigate environmental impacts
  • Specific health and safety certifications may be required, determined by location of work and company requirements

  • Minimal or no travel
  • Primarily indoor/office work
  • Work not physically demanding

You need to be able to work collaboratively and communicate complex concepts. You have strong research and interpersonal skills. You are also an organized planner and can solve complex problems.

  • Laws and Regulations
  • Understanding Risk
  • Public Speaking
  • Writing, Technical Writing, Document Production
  • Managing Personnel Resources
  • Coordination
  • Building a Successful Team
  • Negotiation
  • Persuasion
  • Planning and Organizing
  • Collaborative
  • Leading / Living the Vision and Values
  • Administrative