Occupation Details
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
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Interests
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$55,920.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$85,740.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$135,320.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
960
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
1,080
+12 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
105
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.1%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
More School - Graduate or advanced degree
Experience Requirements
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Training Details
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Instructing
Teaching others how to do something.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Geography
Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Innovation
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Atomic absorption AA spectroscopes
- CHNS/O Analyzer
- Carousel slide projectors
- Compact digital cameras
- Compact disk CD players
- Computer data input scanners
- Computer laser printers
- Conference telephones
- Desktop computers
- Digital calculators
- Digital video cameras
- Digital video disk DVD players
- Field data collectors
- Flow meters
- Global positioning system GPS receivers
- Hand held portable scales
- Handheld microphones
- Interactive whiteboard controllers
- Interactive whiteboards
- Ion chromatography equipment
- Laboratory triple beam balances
- Laptop computers
- Laser facsimile machines
- Liquid crystal display LCD projectors
- Liquid crystal display LCD televisions
- MP3 digital voice recorders
- Marine collection nets
- Microphone podiums
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Multimedia projection equipment
Technology
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Blackboard Learn
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Collaborative editing software
- Course management system software
- DOC Cop
- Desire2Learn LMS software
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Email software
- Geographic information system GIS systems
- Google Docs
- Google Drive
- Image scanning software
- Learning management system LMS
- Microsoft Access
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- maintain educational records, reports, or files
- prepare educational reports
- encourage group participation
- advise students
- advise governmental or industrial personnel
- make education presentations
- direct and coordinate scientific research or investigative studies
- evaluate student performance
- record student progress
- write research or project grant proposals
- analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
- conduct laboratory research or experiments
- conduct research on work-related topics
- compile bibliographies of specialized materials
- design classroom presentations
- write scholarly or technical research papers
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve educational data
- use chemical testing or analysis procedures
- use hazardous materials information
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use pollution control techniques
- follow safe waste disposal procedures
- use teaching techniques
- use public speaking techniques
- use knowledge of environmental laws and regulations
- use library or online Internet research techniques
- collect academic research data
- convert information into instructional program
- develop instructional materials
- organize educational material or ideas
- teach college level courses
- develop course or training objectives
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- Supervise students' laboratory and field work.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
- Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as hazardous waste management, industrial safety, and environmental toxicology.
- Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks and laboratory equipment.
- Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.
- Write letters of recommendation for students.
- Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
- Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
- Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
- Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.
- Review papers or serve on editorial boards for scientific journals, and review grant proposals for various agencies.
- Act as advisers to student organizations.
- Participate in campus and community events.
- Provide professional consulting services to government or industry.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
American Museum of Natural History Courses, Institutes and Evenings for Educators
The American Museum of Natural History offers an extensive program of professional development in a variety of formats that provide educators at all levels with opportunities to deepen their content knowledge and address national and local performance standards in the natural and social sciences through interactions with scientists and educators and use of AMNH research, exhibitions, and print and online resources.
Learn MoreGlobal Warming Facts and Our Future
Is the climate warming? Are humans causing climate warming? What effects might climate warming have? The National Academies provide scientific information to help us make informed decisions and to help answer these important questions. The activities include the exploration of the changing CO2 concentrations over the past century, climate models and CO2 emissions calculator.
Learn MorePeconic Dunes and Camp Sea Wolf
These two unique environmental camps supply experiences provided by Cornell Cooperative Extension. The focus is on the stewardship of our natural resources and outdoor recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, kayaking and canoeing.
Learn MoreStalking Science Education in The Adirondacks
Participating educators learn firsthand a process for taking their students from primary field observations to student designed, field based inquiry suitable for the school yard or nearby natural areas. The process encompasses guided nature observation, exploration and journaling.
Learn MoreStalking Science Education in The Adirondacks
Participating educators will learn firsthand a process for taking their students from primary field observations to student-designed, field-based inquiry suitable for the schoolyard or nearby natural areas. The process will encompass guided nature observation, exploration and journaling.
Learn MoreTeachers-postsecondary
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn More