Environmental Advisors Spotlight

Rules are made to be followed. In the oil and gas industry, rules to protect the environment and the safety and health of workers and communities are made to be met or exceeded. Environmental Advisors have guidelines, policies and regulations at their fingertips to ensure that happens.

What a typical day looks like:

Environmental Advisors provide advice to their company about soil, air, water and land-related issues. They research and write reports about how a company can meet or exceed regulatory requirements and standards and then prepare regulatory approvals. They also react to, advise on or ensure ongoing compliance with those regulatory standards. To complete their work, they require input from engineers, site personnel and other coworkers, so they attend a number of meetings.

Environmental Advisors aren’t always found in the office though. They travel to the field to collect samples and to document results on noise monitoring, soil, groundwater, stormwater, spill prevention, waste management and wildlife system inspections. The results are carefully recorded and they make recommendations based on the results for social responsibility or community engagement teams so they can target the appropriate plans and programs.

Typically employed in the exploration and production (E&P), oil sands, oil and gas services, and pipeline sectors of the oil and gas industry, Environmental Advisors may be required to carry and set up heavy testing and monitoring equipment.

The kinds of problems Environmental Advisors solve at work:

Environmental Advisors consistently focus on how companies can operate better and are problem-solvers with a mind for sustainability. They find solutions for things like waste management, emissions reduction or spill prevention. They combine their knowledge of the environment with regulation, guidelines and engineering reports to find ways to reduce health, safety and environmental risks and impacts.

Skills used most on the job:

Environmental Advisors work collaboratively and communicate complex concepts to colleagues with differing levels of environmental knowledge. They have strong research and interpersonal skills. They also are organized planners who can solve complex problems.

Environmental Advisors identify best practices that promote improved environmental practices across job sites. They review environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies and formal regulations and then provide best practices and ideas that can be implemented to make sure their company meets or exceeds those standards.