One key strategy to become a field examiner is obtaining a science related bachelor's degree. It is also helpful to have some researching and documenting skills, such as from working as an intern or volunteer for an environmental compliance company. Any higher position within a company that oversees a group of field examiners requires a graduate degree.
To become a field examiner, you should have a four year college degree, typically in chemistry, biology, or a related area of study. Those in this profession analyze factors related to environmental pollution and determine their causes. A background in natural science allows the field examiner to understand local ecosystems and the impact of human construction and production, such as building a structure near a natural marsh. In this role, your environmental data can be used to aid decision making, such as determining whether a business can remain in an environmentally-sensitive area or whether it should relocate.
Another type of bachelor's degree that is often useful if you want to become a field examiner is environmental science or law. Aside from the scientific nature of your daily duties as an examiner, you must be able to read and understand environmental laws that pertain to specific areas. Those laws must be interpreted and conveyed to businesses so they can comply with any special regional needs, such as filtering waste water near the coast. In cases where a business is ignorant of or confused by environmental regulation, the law must be fully explained to prevent accidental pollution of a protected area.
A large part of a field examiner's day is collecting and analyzing environmental data, such as chemical levels in ground water. During college, many future field examiners volunteer or intern at local environmental compliance companies to gain real life experience. Students learn about data collection practices and analysis techniques, as well as the importance of documenting all information clearly and accurately. Attention to detail is also necessary to become a field examiner.
Many hiring companies look for a mixture of experience and education when deciding between applicants. As a result, you should strive to balance both areas by volunteering during the summer or school breaks at a local environmental company or organization. During the school year, you should concentrate on your studies for the best chance to become a field examiner.
Some environmental compliance companies have multiple field examiners; you may want to consider a graduate degree if you are interested in supervising a group of examiners. A typical graduate degree should be in the sciences or law to become a field examiner supervisor. You must be fully versed in environmental law to administer advice to numerous field examiners; their success is based on your direction and reflects greatly on the company as a whole.
