Remediation Specialist

What does a remediation specialist do?

As a remediation specialist, you will be responsible for assessing and reducing contamination levels in soil and water. Duties may include reporting on samples and advising on effective solutions to clean up sites polluted by waste substances, such as chemical residues or hazardous materials. You may collaborate with environmental geologists, hydrologists, and toxicologists to investigate which methods will work best.

The role of a remediation specialist involves the following duties: 

How to become a remediation specialist

There are several routes to becoming a remediation specialist. You could do a university or college course, an apprenticeship or apply directly to an employer for work.

You should explore these routes to becoming a remediation specialist, to find out which is the right one for you. Although some of these options have certain qualification requirements, many employers are more interested in people who are enthusiastic, willing to learn and can follow instructions.

You may need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on a construction site.

University

You can become a remediation specialist by completing an undergraduate degree in a subject related to engineering, construction, soil science or environmental science. 

For an undergraduate degree, you’ll need:

• 5 GCSEs (including English and maths) at grade 4 (C) or above, or equivalent
• 2 - 3 A levels, or equivalent.

• Equivalent entry requirements explained
• Find a university course
• Funding advice

College/training provider

You could complete a college course to start you on your journey to becoming a remediation specialist, such as Construction and the Built Environment or an environmental studies course. You could then decide to specialise in remediation.

You’ll need 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent to enroll on a college course.

• Equivalent entry requirements explained
• Find a course near you
• Funding advice

Apprenticeship

You could complete an apprenticeship to become a remediation specialist. This should be related to construction, the built environment or environmental studies, so you can go to on to specialise in remediation afterwards.

An apprenticeship with a construction company is a good way into the industry.

Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16. As an apprentice, you will be fully employed by your company and expected to work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Your time will be split between on-the-job experience and a college or training provider.

• Guide to apprenticeships

Work

If you have some basic experience, you could apply directly to a specialist remediation company to gain onsite experience as a remediation specialist. You might start out as an assistant and progress as your abilities improve.

Work experience

Work experience is essential to gaining employment within the construction industry. You could gain this at school, or by working weekends and holidays with a company or relative who works as a remediation specialist. Potential employers will always be pleased to see work experience listed on your CV.

• Find out more about work experience

Skills 

Additional skills which may benefit anyone considering a job as a remediation specialist include: 

• Understanding of sampling
• Good analytical skills
• Report writing
• Excellent communication skills.

How much could you earn as a remediation specialist?

The expected salary for a remediation specialist varies as you become more experienced.

• Newly trained remediation specialists can start at £27000
• Trained with experience remediation specialists can earn up to £45000*

Salaries depend on location, employer, level of responsibility, any overtime you may do, and whether you have completed an industry recognised training route. 

* Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources