Entry Level Environmental Specialist Jobs
New grad environmental specialist jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong internship work or a field sampling portfolio can matter more than a lengthy resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Waste Management & Environmental Services, Government & Public Sector, and Education, with employers like Veolia, Georgia Department of Public Health, and State of Arizona hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 123+ Entry Level Environmental Specialist jobs
Environmental Specialist 1, PN 20076124
What you will do:
You will prepare support documentation for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews/studies and prepare, or review associated low-level Categorical Exclusion (CE) documents to evaluate and minimize the impacts of federally funded transportation projects on the human and natural environment.
You will serve as a subject matter expert for Project Managers and construction personnel, providing professional advice and communicating environmental restrictions on projects with respect to current local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
You will coordinate and build relationships with local partners and stakeholders to successfully deliver CE documents to advance ODOT’s Local Programs.
You will conduct public outreach on projects by preparing public notification letters and/or project brochures and assembling mailings to residents and property owners over large areas.
Benefits to you:
- Enjoy an excellent work/life balance.
- Receive paid time off with vacation, sick, and personal leave.
- Receive 11 paid holidays per year.
- Receive regular pay increases; 1st increase after 6 months
- Receive an extensive benefits package; including Medical and FREE Vision, Dental and Basic Life Insurance after completion of eligibility period.
- Experience growth opportunities within organization.
- Participate in employee tuition reimbursement programs.
- Receive a pension plan with 14% employer contributions.
For a list of all the State of Ohio benefits, please visit the Total Rewards website!
Why Work for the State of OhioAt the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
- Medical Coverage
- Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
- Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
- Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
- Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)
- Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.
- Or completion of undergraduate core program in engineering, chemistry, physics, biology, environmental science, earth science &/or urban & regional planning, geology or other comparable physical or health science field or mathematics, history or archaeology with education commensurate with duties to be assigned. Note: For all positions engaged in field work, applicants must be able to provide own transportation. New employees in EPA's solid waste program, excluding those in the solid waste planning unit, must obtain a sanitarian-in-training certificate during their probationary period.
- Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.
Job Skills: Environmental Services
If operating a state-owned vehicle, must show proof of valid driver's license OR must provide own transportation.
All bargaining unit new hires to ODOT must serve a one-year probationary period. This position is overtime exempt based on FLSA Standards. If this position is filled internally, the wage rate will be determined in accordance with the contract.
The final applicant accepted for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis prior to appointment to test for illegal drug use. Medical marijuana is prohibited as a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test. An applicant with a positive test result will not be offered employment, per section 3719.01 & 3719.41 of Ohio revised code.
The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.
ADA StatementOhio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
Drug-Free WorkplaceThe State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.
Environmental Specialist 1, PN 20076124
What you will do:
You will prepare support documentation for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews/studies and prepare, or review associated low-level Categorical Exclusion (CE) documents to evaluate and minimize the impacts of federally funded transportation projects on the human and natural environment.
You will serve as a subject matter expert for Project Managers and construction personnel, providing professional advice and communicating environmental restrictions on projects with respect to current local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
You will coordinate and build relationships with local partners and stakeholders to successfully deliver CE documents to advance ODOT’s Local Programs.
You will conduct public outreach on projects by preparing public notification letters and/or project brochures and assembling mailings to residents and property owners over large areas.
Benefits to you:
- Enjoy an excellent work/life balance.
- Receive paid time off with vacation, sick, and personal leave.
- Receive 11 paid holidays per year.
- Receive regular pay increases; 1st increase after 6 months
- Receive an extensive benefits package; including Medical and FREE Vision, Dental and Basic Life Insurance after completion of eligibility period.
- Experience growth opportunities within organization.
- Participate in employee tuition reimbursement programs.
- Receive a pension plan with 14% employer contributions.
For a list of all the State of Ohio benefits, please visit the Total Rewards website!
Why Work for the State of OhioAt the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
- Medical Coverage
- Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
- Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
- Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
- Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)
- Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.
- Or completion of undergraduate core program in engineering, chemistry, physics, biology, environmental science, earth science &/or urban & regional planning, geology or other comparable physical or health science field or mathematics, history or archaeology with education commensurate with duties to be assigned. Note: For all positions engaged in field work, applicants must be able to provide own transportation. New employees in EPA's solid waste program, excluding those in the solid waste planning unit, must obtain a sanitarian-in-training certificate during their probationary period.
- Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.
Job Skills: Environmental Services
If operating a state-owned vehicle, must show proof of valid driver's license OR must provide own transportation.
All bargaining unit new hires to ODOT must serve a one-year probationary period. This position is overtime exempt based on FLSA Standards. If this position is filled internally, the wage rate will be determined in accordance with the contract.
The final applicant accepted for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis prior to appointment to test for illegal drug use. Medical marijuana is prohibited as a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test. An applicant with a positive test result will not be offered employment, per section 3719.01 & 3719.41 of Ohio revised code.
The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.
ADA StatementOhio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
Drug-Free WorkplaceThe State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.
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Find JobsEntry Level Environmental Specialist Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Veolia20
- Georgia Department of Public Health4
- State of Arizona3
- Amgen2
- CRUSOE2
Top Industries Hiring
- Waste Management & Environmental Services20
- Government & Public Sector17
- Education11
- Energy8
- Manufacturing8
Entry Level Environmental Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level environmental specialist job?
Entry level environmental specialist employers look for hands-on experience from internships, field courses, or volunteer sampling work alongside a relevant degree in environmental science, biology, geology, or a related field. Familiarity with regulatory frameworks like NEPA or Clean Water Act compliance, proficiency with GIS software, and a demonstrated ability to write clear field reports all give candidates a measurable edge at this stage.
Which companies hire entry level environmental specialists?
Companies hiring entry level environmental specialists right now include Veolia, Georgia Department of Public Health, and State of Arizona, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Hiring at this level comes from a broad mix of environmental consulting firms, government contractors, municipal agencies, and industrial companies with active compliance or remediation programs.
Are there remote entry level environmental specialist jobs?
Yes, though most entry level roles involve fieldwork and are primarily on-site. About 6% of entry level environmental specialist openings are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those positions tend to focus on data analysis, report writing, permitting support, or GIS mapping rather than direct site investigation or sampling.
Are these new grad environmental specialist jobs?
Yes, these listings include new grad, recent graduate, and junior environmental specialist roles. A posting is new-grad friendly when it welcomes zero to two years of experience, counts internships or co-ops toward that requirement, or accepts a strong academic portfolio in place of full-time work history. Look for language like "entry level," "recent graduates encouraged," or "training provided" in the job description.
Which industries hire the most entry level environmental specialists?
Entry Level environmental specialist roles concentrate in Waste Management & Environmental Services, Government & Public Sector, and Education, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Those sectors drive hiring at this level because they face ongoing environmental compliance obligations, site remediation requirements, or permitting deadlines that create consistent demand for junior field and regulatory support staff.