Science & ResearchO*NET: 19-2041.00
Will AI Replace Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health?
Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.
40out of 100
Medium Risk
AI Risk Score
40/100
Risk Level
Medium
Job Zone
4/5
Advanced
Total Tasks Analyzed
12
🤖 What AI Can Do
- ▸Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
- ▸Monitor effects of pollution or land degradation and recommend means of prevention or control.
- ▸Collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.
- ▸Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
- ▸Process and review environmental permits, licenses, or related materials.
- ▸Conduct environmental audits or inspections or investigations of violations.
👤 What Requires Humans
- ▸Supervise or train students, environmental technologists, technicians, or other related staff.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (9)
- Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
- Monitor effects of pollution or land degradation and recommend means of prevention or control.
- Collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.
- Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
- Process and review environmental permits, licenses, or related materials.
- Conduct environmental audits or inspections or investigations of violations.
- Provide advice on proper standards and regulations or the development of policies, strategies, or codes of practice for environmental management.
- Prepare charts or graphs from data samples, providing summary information on the environmental relevance of the data.
- Monitor environmental impacts of development activities.
👤Requires Humans (1)
- Supervise or train students, environmental technologists, technicians, or other related staff.
⚡AI-Assisted (2)
- Provide scientific or technical guidance, support, coordination, or oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.
- Research sources of pollution to determine their effects on the environment and to develop theories or methods of pollution abatement or control.
Key Skills Analysis
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 4.00/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 4.00/5.00
WritingAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 4.00/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 4.00/5.00
Science
Importance: 4.00/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 4.00/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.88/5.00
Active LearningAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.62/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.62/5.00
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Learning Strategies
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Time ManagementAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Social PerceptivenessAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health have a medium risk of AI replacement with a score of 40/100. While some tasks can be assisted by AI, the core responsibilities require human judgment and skills.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research