Environmental Specialist Jobs in Virginia

Environmental Specialist jobs in Virginia are in steady demand, with active hiring concentrated in environmental consulting, federal contracting, and state agency work at every level from entry-level field technician through senior program manager. The largest hiring metros are Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Norfolk, where employers such as AECOM, Leidos, and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality maintain ongoing environmental programs. The most in-demand specialties in Virginia include site remediation, stormwater and wetlands compliance, and NEPA documentation tied to federal infrastructure projects. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles32
Top employerCelanese
Top cityHopewell, VA
Cities hiring21
Work type57% Hybrid
Top industryChemicals

Showing 5 of 32+ Environmental Specialist jobs

WGL - Sr. Environmental Specialist
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Added 2d ago
WGL - Sr. Environmental Specialist
AltaGas
Springfield, Virginia
Biotech & Life Sciences
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$95k - $138k/yr
Military encouraged
1,001-5,000

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Environmental Health Specialist I
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Added 3d ago
Environmental Health Specialist I
Virginia Department of Health
Virginia
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
Data Science & Analytics
ML (Machine Learning)
$46k - $69k.25/yr
On-Site
Military encouraged
1,001-5,000

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Entry-Level Environmental Compliance Specialist – CEMML
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Added 3d ago
Entry-Level Environmental Compliance Specialist – CEMML
Colorado State University
Bowling Green, Virginia
Business Operations
Business Strategy
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$50k - $54k/yr
Bachelor's degree in biology
5,001-10,000

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Environmental Permitting & Regulatory Specialist (Water / Wastewater)
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Added 4d ago
Environmental Permitting & Regulatory Specialist (Water / Wastewater)
Brown and Caldwell
Alexandria, Virginia
Customer Support
Sales
Technical Product & Program Management
$95k - $155k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in engineering
1,001-5,000

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Environmental Planning and Permitting Specialist – Glen Allen, VA (Hybrid)
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Added 5d ago
Environmental Planning and Permitting Specialist – Glen Allen, VA (Hybrid)
Tetra Tech
Glen Allen, Virginia
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
Specialized Engineering
$60k - $80k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in geography
10,000+

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See All 32 Environmental Specialist Jobs in Virginia

Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Environmental Specialist Jobs by City in Virginia

Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Hopewell
4 jobs
Chesapeake
3 jobs
Fairfax
2 jobs
Glen Allen
2 jobs
Reston
1 job
Hampton
1 job
Norfolk
1 job
Richmond
1 job
Woodstock
1 job

Environmental Specialist Job Market in Virginia

A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Celanese3 open roles
Virginia Department of Health3 open roles
Veolia2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Chemicals & Materials
  • Waste Management & Environmental Services

What Virginia Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in environmental specialist jobs across Virginia.

  • Virginia DEQ or EPA compliance knowledge preferred or required for most positions
  • Bachelor's degree in environmental science, biology, geology, or a related field
  • Experience with NEPA review, wetlands delineation, or Phase I and II ESA
  • Familiarity with Virginia stormwater regulations and the Virginia Stormwater Management Program
  • Professional certifications such as CHMM, LSRP, or LEP valued by Virginia employers
  • Valid driver's license and ability to conduct fieldwork at project sites across Virginia

Environmental Specialist Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a environmental specialist in Virginia?

The most direct path is a bachelor's degree in environmental science, geology, or a related field followed by entry-level work with a Virginia consulting firm or state agency such as the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Virginia does not require a single universal license for the title, but specific practice areas carry credentials: the Licensed Site Remediation Professional credential is issued through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation for contaminated site work, and many roles value the Certified Hazardous Materials Manager or wetlands certifications early in a career.

How much do environmental specialists make in Virginia?

Environmental specialists in Virginia earn a median of about $82,230 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $57,720 for the lowest 10% to over $135,580 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire environmental specialists in Virginia?

Employers hiring environmental specialists in Virginia right now include Celanese, Virginia Department of Health, and Veolia, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Virginia's concentration of federal agencies and defense contractors in the Northern Virginia corridor and the Hampton Roads region means that government support and infrastructure contractors are among the most consistent sources of openings statewide.

Which Virginia cities have the most environmental specialist jobs?

The Virginia cities with the most environmental specialist openings are Hopewell, Virginia, and Chesapeake. Northern Virginia's density of federal agencies and environmental consulting firms drives the largest share of postings, Richmond anchors state government and mid-Atlantic corporate headquarters, and Norfolk and the Hampton Roads area generate consistent demand through military installation compliance work and coastal resilience projects.

Are there remote environmental specialist jobs in Virginia?

Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields because environmental specialist work regularly requires field visits, site assessments, and in-person agency coordination. About 57% of environmental specialist openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with those positions concentrated in report writing, data analysis, regulatory review, and GIS mapping roles rather than fieldwork-heavy positions.

How can I get hired as a environmental specialist in Virginia with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying for environmental technician or field sampling roles at mid-size Virginia consulting firms, which regularly hire recent graduates without project experience. Completing a senior thesis or internship with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, a Chesapeake Bay Program partner, or a university cooperative extension program strengthens a resume considerably. Obtaining a 40-hour HAZWOPER certification before applying signals field readiness, and candidates who can demonstrate GIS or data reporting skills through coursework or volunteer projects move forward faster in the Virginia market.

Where can I find and apply to environmental specialist jobs in Virginia?

You can find and apply to environmental specialist jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings updated regularly. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level and specialty, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 32 Environmental Specialist Jobs in Virginia

Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Environmental Specialist Jobs