Increasing Black Representation in the Environmental Workforce
Have you ever given thought to a career related to environmental science or environmentalism?
I knew in high school that I wanted to serve my community and that law was something I was fascinated by, but I was unsure how to combine my passions with my academics. I was thrilled to discover that there was an Environmental Policy degree program where I could study how some laws disproportionately affect different communities. The moment of truth, however, came at the end of undergrad when I realized that the only jobs that seemed to fit my field of interest were related to biology or education—neither of which seemed up my alley. It took years of learning, searching, and even LinkedIn connections to discover that the career I want does indeed exist, it is just not typically held by someone who looks like me.
In an attempt to broaden your perspective on the range of employment options available beyond what you might normally discover or hear, perhaps consider the diversity and representation related to different fields of work. In light of Black History Month, we focus this post on opportunities for Black employees in the field of the environment, given the persistent underrepresentation of Black workers in the workforce. In the environmental sector, there are indications of occupational segregation as seen by the stark underrepresentation of Black workers in higher-paying professions overall. Consider looking into these environmental jobs:
Environmental Specialist - Special Waste Sample waste streams, respond to spills and potential contamination through corrective actions. Implement and workshop health, safety, and compliance protocols as they relate to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation. Completing this work will help ensure companies comply with safety standards and prevent hazardous waste from being improperly disposed of.
Environmental Health Specialist This position's primary goal is to protect the public by overseeing and managing an extensive community hygiene program that encourages safe food handling practices, hygienic preparation conditions, and proper food handling through enforcement of food service facility regulations and education.
Climate and Sustainability Program Assistant Give communities the knowledge and resources they need to manage change for a better quality of life and a healthy environment. The purpose of this role is to support the preservation of natural resources and watersheds by enhancing local decision-makers' ability to assess environmental issues, create creative and practical funding solutions, and inform the public about the role that finance and economic growth play in environmental protection. Make use of your expertise in local government operations, mitigation, adaptation, and/or resilience to climate change, as well as your successful customer service background and enthusiasm for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
Environmental Protection Specialist Interpret specific environmental district and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines. Create inspection and investigatory reports from field inspections and records review, and keep a database of findings, conclusions, and judgments.
Further, if this all feels too far away and you are looking to dip your toe in the environmental sector sooner, look into environmental fellowships and internships with non-profit organizations similar to the one below.
The Hazel M. Johnson Fellowship Program seeks to expand the chances for aspiring leaders of color to learn about, interact with, and enter the environmental and climate sectors. Black women, gender-inclusive rising juniors, rising seniors, and recent college graduates who have expressed interest in pursuing careers in the environmental and/or climatic sectors are the target audience for the fellowship.
Meet the Author
Angelica Gonzalez
