Environmental Specialist Jobs in Tennessee
Environmental Specialist jobs in Tennessee are steadily in demand, with openings concentrated in environmental consulting, manufacturing compliance, and state and federal agency work at experience levels from entry-level field technicians through senior program managers. Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis anchor the largest share of hiring, with well-established employers such as TVA, Jacobs Engineering, and AECOM maintaining consistent Tennessee operations that drive ongoing need. The most sought-after specialties include remediation, air quality permitting, and stormwater compliance. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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As infrastructure critical to the region’s growth and prosperity, Nashville International Airport ® (BNA®) is a vital asset for Middle Tennessee and serves as a gateway to Music City and beyond. The State of Tennessee’s 2025 Economic Impact Study reports that in 2024 alone, BNA generated $13.8 billion in total economic impact, supported 80,000 jobs and contributed to $2.1 billion in federal, state and local taxes. BNA receives no local tax dollars. For more information, visit flynashville.com. Follow us on Facebook: @NashvilleInternationalAirport, X: @Fly_Nashville and Instagram: @FlyNashville. Learn more about New Horizon, our $3 billion growth and expansion plan for the airport, at BNANewHorizon.com.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Drug Free Workplace
Hiring Process:
- Apply online
- Interview(s)
- Offer
- Ten (10) year background check, including criminal history check, motor vehicle check, pre-employment drug screen, and breath alcohol test
- Onboarding
Benefits:
- Deferred compensation plans
- Educational Assistance
- Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability Insurance
- Health Screenings
- Paid Holidays
- Annual/Bereavement/Military Leave
Accepting Applications Until Filled
2nd Shift: 11:00 AM- 8:00 PM, Sunday-Thursday
Salary Range: $57,996 - $99,817
- Final salary offer will be based on relevant skills and experience to the position.
Job Summary: The Environmental Compliance Specialist is responsible for ensuring MNAA complies with environmental laws and regulations. Responsibilities include assisting with environmental audits, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, collecting samples and responding to and ensuring proper cleanup of fuel, chemical, and other fluid spills. This position will be on 24-hour call and may be required to respond either telephonically or in-person, depending upon the incident's severity.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Monitors MNAA permits, activities and assets to ensure compliance with regulatory and permit requirements, and in accordance with best practices.
- Assists in reviewing, preparing and/or submitting permit applications, plans, reports and supporting documents to appropriate agencies for review and approval. Agencies may include Metro Water Service, Metro Health Department (MHD), Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) or the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA).
- Conducts daily and periodic audits and inspections of MNAA and stakeholder activities and assets, identifies compliance gaps, and assists in tracking, development, implementation and resolution of corrective actions using standard auditing and inspection protocol. Escorts regulatory inspectors and agency representatives during inspections, as directed.
- Responds to spill incidents; provide response oversight, guidance and support as needed to stakeholders and responsible parties to ensure spill response is completed and the impact to the environment is minimized and/or mitigated. Documents spill response, and follow-up on after-action activities as needed.
- Conducts applicability reviews of MNAA activities and assets to identify compliance gaps and opportunities for improvement in compliance. Understands and communicates the applicability of regulatory requirements to new activities and assets, such as those in a construction project.
- Collects compliance and background monitoring samples, including water and waste samples, as directed.
- Maintains environmental data, records, reports and documents in the identified environmental management systems (eg. GIS and SharePoint), and in accordance with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
- Understands general construction principles and practices. Reviews construction plans and documents for regulatory applicability, monitors the project throughout construction, attends construction meetings and walkthroughs, and communicates any needs or issues effectively to MNAA teams and stakeholder project managers and construction teams.
- Implements, maintains and facilitates Environmental Procedures and internal environmental Work Instructions across MNAA stakeholders, providing feedback and guidance as needed to achieve compliance with same.
- Provides guidance to MNAA and stakeholder employees on environmental requirements and applicability, including the preparation and implementation of procedures, work instructions, training content, informal communications and guidance, and other means.
- Maintains frequent and open lines of communication with key stakeholders and MNAA staff; communicates and facilitates resolution of compliance issues with MNAA stakeholders; attends meetings to maintain airport operation awareness; and otherwise represent the Environmental Team as assigned.
- Facilitates, coordinates and partners with MNAA stakeholders on various other tasks related to environmental stewardship and compliance.
- Schedules asset maintenance and provides oversight of vendors and stakeholders for environmental assets.
- Participates in Environmental Team daily operations, maintains regular and on-time attendance, and respond to after-hour calls as assigned.
- Support MNAA’s commitment to its culture and values, including Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence (RISE).
- Follows all safety regulations; report any safety concerns using the safety reporting tool.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics:
- Environmental Regulations: Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulatory requirements related to airport operations.
- Knowledge of Biological Systems: Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, and interactions with the environment; ability to critically evaluate complex biological data and phenomena.
- Problem Solving: Ability to identify complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Problem Solving: Ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Relationship Building: Skill in establishing and maintaining effective and professional working relationships with others.
- Computer Use: Skill in using a personal computer, the internet, and other software to perform job-related functions.
- Database Management: Skill in using databases, spreadsheets, and other applicable computer software applications.
- Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Written Comprehension: Ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Initiative: Displays a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
- Attention to Detail: Detailed and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Agreeableness: Demonstrates a pleasant, tactful, and helpful demeanor when working with others.
- Driving: Skill in operating a motor vehicle.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) badge.
Qualifications:
Required:
- Bachelor's degree in a related field
- 2-4 years of experience in environmental related field
- OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) certification (w/in 180 days of hire)
- Tennessee Level 1 Erosion Protection and Sediment Control (EPSC) certification (w/in 180 days of hire)
- Valid Driver's License - Class D
Preferred:
- Master's degree in a related field
- 4-7 years of experience in an environment compliance related field with a bachelor's degree
See All 6 Environmental Specialist Jobs in Tennessee
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Find Environmental Specialist JobsEnvironmental Specialist Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Environmental Specialist Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
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What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in environmental specialist jobs across Tennessee.
- Bachelor's degree in environmental science, biology, chemistry, or a closely related field
- Familiarity with Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation regulations and permitting processes
- Experience conducting field sampling, environmental site assessments, or Phase I and Phase II studies
- Proficiency with GIS software, environmental databases, and regulatory reporting platforms
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel to field sites across Tennessee
- Strong technical writing skills for preparing environmental reports and agency correspondence
Environmental Specialist Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a environmental specialist in Tennessee?
Most environmental specialist positions in Tennessee require at least a bachelor's degree in environmental science, geology, chemistry, or a related field. Tennessee does not issue a single statewide environmental specialist license, but many roles require or strongly prefer credentials such as the TDEC-recognized Registered Environmental Professional designation or certifications in areas like hazardous materials management. Gaining field experience through internships with state agencies or consulting firms is the most common path to full-time employment.
How much do environmental specialists make in Tennessee?
Environmental specialists in Tennessee earn a median of about $76,840 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $54,040 for the lowest 10% to over $133,180 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire environmental specialists in Tennessee?
Employers hiring environmental specialists in Tennessee right now include WSP, Veolia, and OTICS USA, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Tennessee's mix of large industrial manufacturers, federal infrastructure projects like TVA, and active environmental consulting firms means openings appear across both public and private sectors throughout the year.
Which Tennessee cities have the most environmental specialist jobs?
Nashville, Smyrna, and Brentwood have the most environmental specialist openings in Tennessee. Nashville's growth as a regional headquarters hub draws consulting firms and corporate compliance teams, Knoxville benefits from proximity to Oak Ridge National Laboratory and TVA operations, and Memphis sees demand tied to its large industrial and logistics corridor along the Mississippi River.
Are there remote environmental specialist jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they're rare. Environmental specialist work is largely field- and site-based, so fully remote roles are limited to data analysis, report writing, and project management functions. About 50% of environmental specialist openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, meaning most positions still require regular on-site presence. Hybrid arrangements are most common for senior consultants and regulatory affairs specialists whose work centers on documentation and agency coordination.
How can I get hired as a environmental specialist in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an internship or seasonal field technician role with a Tennessee environmental consulting firm or with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Large employers such as TVA and Jacobs Engineering run structured early-career programs that hire recent graduates into technician and junior analyst positions. Earning a Hazardous Waste Operations certification or a 40-hour HAZWOPER credential before applying gives candidates a concrete edge over other entry-level applicants.
Where can I find and apply to environmental specialist jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to environmental specialist jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current Tennessee openings across consulting firms, government agencies, and industrial employers. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 6 Environmental Specialist Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Environmental Specialist Jobs