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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Showing 5 of 17+ Environmental Specialist jobs
Job Information
State of Tennessee Job Information
LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT & CONSERVATION, DAVIDSON COUNTY
For more information, visit the link below:
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/environment/job-announcements-/preferred-service/00107360_env_prot_spc_1_dwr_tdec-job-opp_ps_ua.pdf
Qualifications
Education and Experience: Graduation from an ABET accredited college or university with a
bachelor's degree or higher in engineering or engineering technology program.
Necessary Special Qualifications: Applicants for this class must:
- Possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license at the time of appointment in some positions
Overview
Under immediate supervision, is responsible for professional environmental work of routine difficulty; and performs related work as required.
This is the entry level class in the TDEC Environmental Protection Specialist sub-series. An employee in this class is assigned to learn a variety of environmental engineering duties. An employee may perform environmental program and/or regulatory duties in a specific program specialty area such as air pollution, water resources, remediation, solid waste management, toxics, or underground storage tanks. This class differs from TDEC Environmental Protection Specialist 2* in that an incumbent of the latter performs environmental duties at the working level under general supervision.
*An applicant appointed to this flexibly staffed class will be reclassified to TDEC Environmental Protection Specialist 2* after successful completion of a mandatory one-year training period; inadequate or marginal performance during the training period will result in automatic termination.
Responsibilities
- Under direct supervision, performs environmental inspections, complaint investigations, remediation, monitoring work (e.g. sampling and evaluation of environmental media and/or other materials), environmental surveys, etc.; and/or inspections of equipment, structures, materials, and/or sites/facilities of routine difficulty to evaluate levels of pollutants and/or to ensure proper installation, maintenance, and/or operation and determine compliance with environmental laws, regulations, or other standards. Develops or assists with corrective action recommendations for identified problems, and if necessary, initiates enforcement action to effect compliance of established standards, laws, rules, regulations, or policies.
- Under direct supervision, obtains/receives, reviews, and analyzes engineering designs, reports, plans and specifications; applications; verifies calculations; and other environmental and technical information (e.g. records, data, operational plans, enforcement action requests, environmental surveys, inspections, inventories, monitoring data, etc.) of routine difficulty for adequacy and completeness and interpret findings and results to ensure compliance with established design criteria; operations of facilities and systems; and standards, laws, rules, regulations, or policies and procedures. Assists with development and/or review of corrective action for identified problems, and if necessary, initiates enforcement action to effect compliance of established standards, laws, rules, regulations, or policies and procedures.
- Under direct supervision, performs or assists with performance of research on regulatory information and studies of environmental pollution and its effects to develop or revise environmental and engineering regulations, technical policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), etc. in order to stay current with local, state, and federal standards and/or procedures. Assists with communication and/or presentation of interpretations of revisions to regulations, policies, etc. to stakeholders.
- Under direct supervision, prepares technical information (e.g. records, drawings, reports, data, operational plans, enforcement action requests, etc.) and technical documents (e.g. permits, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL), correspondence, designs, layouts, soil evaluations, etc.) of routine difficulty in a concise and legally defensible matter to ensure Agency's missions are met through interpretation of regulations, published guidelines, mathematical calculations, and/or engineering experience or judgement and communicates the interpretation of findings and results to stakeholders. Prepares and/or maintains data and documentation (e.g. records and reports of work activities, contacts, meetings, etc.) in accordance with division and agency requirements.
- Under direct supervision, operates, maintains, troubleshoots, and calibrates field equipment (e.g. flow meters, water samplers, backpack shocker, etc.) and electronic equipment (e.g. photo ionization detector, pH meter, Global Positioning System (GPS), etc.) to ensure equipment is operating in accordance with manufacturer's specifications so as to meet the requirements found in state and/or federal regulations. Ensures the malfunctioning equipment is repaired, replaced, or surplus according to state guidelines.
- Under direct supervision, assists management with the adherence to the budget by ensuring contractors' proposed work activities comply with established rates; providing technical oversight, review, and/or project management of ongoing state and/or federal grant loan programs; and any other means necessary.
- Fosters and encourages a mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among staff and stakeholders through education of system operations, equipment, and programs designed to reduce environmental damage caused by unacceptable practices.
- Under direct supervision, provides technical assistance to regulated operations, stakeholders, internal staff, and other necessary personnel in response to environmental incidents and/or environmental requests/inquiries of routine difficulty
Competencies (KSA's)
Competencies:
- Business Insight
- Communicates Effectively
- Decision Quality
- Manages Complexity
- Tech Savvy
Knowledges:
- Engineering and Technology
- Chemistry
- Law and Government
- Physics
- Geology
Skills:
- Reading Comprehension
- Judgement and Decision Making
- Active Learning and Listening
- Complex Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
Abilities:
- Written Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Limb and/or Full Body Flexibility
Tools & Equipment
- Computer/Printer/ Scanner/ Copier/ Fax
- Telephone/ Cell Phone/ Pager/ Two-way Radios
- Watercraft/ Motor Vehicles/ Tractors/ All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
- Sampling, Monitoring Equipment and Supplies/ Tools
- Radiation Detection Equipment/ GPS/ PPE/ Power Equipment and Hand Tools.
Job Information
State of Tennessee Job Information
LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT & CONSERVATION, DAVIDSON COUNTY
For more information, visit the link below:
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/environment/job-announcements-/preferred-service/00107360_env_prot_spc_1_dwr_tdec-job-opp_ps_ua.pdf
Qualifications
Education and Experience: Graduation from an ABET accredited college or university with a
bachelor's degree or higher in engineering or engineering technology program.
Necessary Special Qualifications: Applicants for this class must:
- Possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license at the time of appointment in some positions
Overview
Under immediate supervision, is responsible for professional environmental work of routine difficulty; and performs related work as required.
This is the entry level class in the TDEC Environmental Protection Specialist sub-series. An employee in this class is assigned to learn a variety of environmental engineering duties. An employee may perform environmental program and/or regulatory duties in a specific program specialty area such as air pollution, water resources, remediation, solid waste management, toxics, or underground storage tanks. This class differs from TDEC Environmental Protection Specialist 2* in that an incumbent of the latter performs environmental duties at the working level under general supervision.
*An applicant appointed to this flexibly staffed class will be reclassified to TDEC Environmental Protection Specialist 2* after successful completion of a mandatory one-year training period; inadequate or marginal performance during the training period will result in automatic termination.
Responsibilities
- Under direct supervision, performs environmental inspections, complaint investigations, remediation, monitoring work (e.g. sampling and evaluation of environmental media and/or other materials), environmental surveys, etc.; and/or inspections of equipment, structures, materials, and/or sites/facilities of routine difficulty to evaluate levels of pollutants and/or to ensure proper installation, maintenance, and/or operation and determine compliance with environmental laws, regulations, or other standards. Develops or assists with corrective action recommendations for identified problems, and if necessary, initiates enforcement action to effect compliance of established standards, laws, rules, regulations, or policies.
- Under direct supervision, obtains/receives, reviews, and analyzes engineering designs, reports, plans and specifications; applications; verifies calculations; and other environmental and technical information (e.g. records, data, operational plans, enforcement action requests, environmental surveys, inspections, inventories, monitoring data, etc.) of routine difficulty for adequacy and completeness and interpret findings and results to ensure compliance with established design criteria; operations of facilities and systems; and standards, laws, rules, regulations, or policies and procedures. Assists with development and/or review of corrective action for identified problems, and if necessary, initiates enforcement action to effect compliance of established standards, laws, rules, regulations, or policies and procedures.
- Under direct supervision, performs or assists with performance of research on regulatory information and studies of environmental pollution and its effects to develop or revise environmental and engineering regulations, technical policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), etc. in order to stay current with local, state, and federal standards and/or procedures. Assists with communication and/or presentation of interpretations of revisions to regulations, policies, etc. to stakeholders.
- Under direct supervision, prepares technical information (e.g. records, drawings, reports, data, operational plans, enforcement action requests, etc.) and technical documents (e.g. permits, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL), correspondence, designs, layouts, soil evaluations, etc.) of routine difficulty in a concise and legally defensible matter to ensure Agency's missions are met through interpretation of regulations, published guidelines, mathematical calculations, and/or engineering experience or judgement and communicates the interpretation of findings and results to stakeholders. Prepares and/or maintains data and documentation (e.g. records and reports of work activities, contacts, meetings, etc.) in accordance with division and agency requirements.
- Under direct supervision, operates, maintains, troubleshoots, and calibrates field equipment (e.g. flow meters, water samplers, backpack shocker, etc.) and electronic equipment (e.g. photo ionization detector, pH meter, Global Positioning System (GPS), etc.) to ensure equipment is operating in accordance with manufacturer's specifications so as to meet the requirements found in state and/or federal regulations. Ensures the malfunctioning equipment is repaired, replaced, or surplus according to state guidelines.
- Under direct supervision, assists management with the adherence to the budget by ensuring contractors' proposed work activities comply with established rates; providing technical oversight, review, and/or project management of ongoing state and/or federal grant loan programs; and any other means necessary.
- Fosters and encourages a mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among staff and stakeholders through education of system operations, equipment, and programs designed to reduce environmental damage caused by unacceptable practices.
- Under direct supervision, provides technical assistance to regulated operations, stakeholders, internal staff, and other necessary personnel in response to environmental incidents and/or environmental requests/inquiries of routine difficulty
Competencies (KSA's)
Competencies:
- Business Insight
- Communicates Effectively
- Decision Quality
- Manages Complexity
- Tech Savvy
Knowledges:
- Engineering and Technology
- Chemistry
- Law and Government
- Physics
- Geology
Skills:
- Reading Comprehension
- Judgement and Decision Making
- Active Learning and Listening
- Complex Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
Abilities:
- Written Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Limb and/or Full Body Flexibility
Tools & Equipment
- Computer/Printer/ Scanner/ Copier/ Fax
- Telephone/ Cell Phone/ Pager/ Two-way Radios
- Watercraft/ Motor Vehicles/ Tractors/ All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
- Sampling, Monitoring Equipment and Supplies/ Tools
- Radiation Detection Equipment/ GPS/ PPE/ Power Equipment and Hand Tools.
See All 17 Environmental Specialist Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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.
Who's Hiring
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 Clean 2 The KORE, IFF, and SMEC, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 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?
Memphis, Knoxville, and Nashville 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 0% of environmental specialist openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of November 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 17 Environmental Specialist Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Environmental Specialist Jobs