What’s my specialization?

When you apply to be an EP®, we’ll ask you to identify your environmental specializations and then rate your competency in these areas. Your peer references will then validate your stated experience and competency.

EP specializations are set by the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for environmental employment, including 14 diverse areas related to Environmental Protection, Resource Management, and Environmental Sustainability.

Each specialization has a unique set of standards for proficiency, creating the foundation for EP Certification. This allows you to gain recognition for your skill set and demonstrate the entire scope of your expertise.

Learn more about the NOS and required competencies for certified Environmental Professionals in our NOS report, Competencies for Environmental Professionals in Canada. See the NOS report

Find your best fit in the EP® specializations overview

Explore the EP specializations below to identify the required competencies and make your best match. When you select your specializations, consider your current or most recent work experience.

• EP applicants can choose a maximum of 5 specializations for assessment. You must meet the minimum standard for your chosen specialization(s) as set out by the NOS.
• EPt applicants can choose a maximum of 2 specializations for assessment. Due to limited experience, there are no minimum standards set, however, you will set be assessed to determine areas of strength and improvement.

EP® Specializations

Environmental Manager

Environmental managers lead the integration of knowledge, systems thinking, and strategic decision making in their organizations. Their interdisciplinary work encompasses environmental protection, resource management, and environmental sustainability.

Environmental Manager. See the competency profile

Environmental Protection

• Air Quality. See the competency profile
  
  See work examples in Air Quality

  -Support the supply of goods and services for indoor and outdoor air quality protection.
  -Research and develop air pollution control equipment, systems, and technologies.
  -Develop air quality legislation, guidelines, regulations, and standards.
  -Perform testing, compliance monitoring, indoor air evaluation, remediation, modeling, meteorological studies, and climate change functions.

• Water Quality. See the competency profile
  
  See work examples in Water Quality

  -Support the supply of goods and services for water quality and quantity protection, and water pollution control (including groundwater, surface water, drinking water, and wastewater).
  -Conduct water quality and quantity research and analysis, compliance monitoring, permitting, site characterization, impact assessments, and remediation.
  -Develop legislation, regulations, and standards related to water quality.
  -Support the design and operation of water/wastewater treatment plants, and/or provide other forms of water quality and quantity protection to keep water safe for humans, aquatic life, and recreational use.

• Site Assessment and Reclamation. See the competency profile
  
  See work examples in Site Assessment and Reclamation

  -Perform site assessments and reclamation activities associated with disturbed or contaminated sites.
  -Provide effective land management practices, such as erosion control, the prevention and control of land pollution and soil contamination, and regulatory compliance monitoring.
  -Develop legislation, guidelines, regulations and standards related to site assessment and reclamation.

• Waste Management. See the competency profile
  
  See work examples in Waste Management

  -Manage hazardous and non-hazardous waste, including the classification, tracking, reduction, reuse, recycling, collection, disposal, and end use of waste streams.
  -Support the treatment and beneficial reuse of non-hazardous or hazardous wastes.
  -Develop waste management legislation, regulations, and standards.

• Health and Safety. See the competency profile
  
  See work examples in Health and Safety

  -Identify, evaluate, and control occupational hazards and industrial hygiene.
  -Develop and implement policies, standards, legislation, and programs that maintain and improve the quality of the environment through a focus on health and safety.
  -Provide consultation and develop technical standards, emergency response guidelines, and worker health programs.

Resource Management

• Energy. See the competency profile
  
  See work examples in Energy

  -Support the sustainable use of renewable and non-renewable resources, or the development of alternative energy sources in energy operations.
  -Provide consultation for energy companies or organizations on sustainable energy usage, development, and management.
  -Conduct activities in environmental assessment, mitigation, management, site reclamation, and technical or analytical support for the development of sustainable energy transmission and usage, and the development of alternative energy sources.

• Fisheries and Wildlife. See the competency profile
  
  See work examples in Fisheries and Wildlife

  -Are involved with the use and preservation of fish and wildlife resources, as well as the conservation and preservation of their habitats.
  -Research and monitor of populations and species at risk.
  -Support the enforcement of biodiversity, conservation, and preservation regulation.
  -Provide public education and other technical or analytical support in fishery and wildlife management.

• Natural Resource Management. See the competency profile
  
  See work examples in Natural Resource Management

  -Balance the needs and pressures of industries such as tourism, agriculture, forestry, mining, and land development, with the conservation and preservation of natural resources, forest lands, parks, and natural reserves, and the flora and fauna within them.
  -Integrate socio-economic factors with environmental factors to ensure the ecological health of the planet and sustainable social development.
  -Plan, manage, and enforce natural resources management regulations and standards.

Environmental Sustainability

• Sustainability. See the competency profile
  
  See work examples in Sustainability

  -Develop and use sustainability indicators.
  -Focus on sustainability planning at the community, business, municipal, provincial, national, and international levels.
  -Identify and articulate ethical and social concerns and guidelines.
  -Develop environmental/sustainability management and other forecasting/backcasting systems.
  -Take part in activities such as change management, strategic development, economic assessment, and corporate social responsibility.
  -Report trends over time.

• Education and Training. See the competency profile
  
  See work examples in Education and Training

  -Deliver environmental education and training, including on-the-job training and continuing professional education programs.
  -Assess the need for environmental education programs, develop curricula accordingly, and measure the outcomes of these programs.
  -Increase public awareness and knowledge of environmental issues through environmental education outreach activities.

• Research and Development. See the competency profile
  
  See work examples in Research and Development

  -Perform scientific or industrial research and development that advances knowledge of the environment.
  -Assist in the prevention, improvement, or resolution of environmental problems.
  -Facilitate the development and diffusion of enabling technologies that produce long-term economic and/or environmental benefits.

• Policy and Legislation. See the competency profile
  
  See work examples in Policy and Legislation

  -Work with public, private, and non-governmental sectors to gather information and formulate policy, legislation, regulation, and standards for environmental issues or practices.
  -Collect evidence and data to assist enforcement and litigation, environmental prosecutions and defenses, as well as determine the liability of officers and directors.
  -Advise organizations on appropriate planning to comply with policies, legislation, regulations, and standards, including international ISO 9000 and 14000, and prosecution for environmental infractions.

• Communications and Public Awareness. See the competency profile
  
  See work examples in Communications and Public Awareness

  -Prepare written, audiovisual, and electronic communications to raise awareness of environmental issues and practices.
  -Organize, coordinate, and present expert information about environmental matters at conferences.
  -Develop awareness and action programs about environmental issues, and implement public relations and communications strategies.

Not sure which EP specializations are right for you? Contact us

Found your specializations? Learn more about how to apply.

See how to apply