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Environmental Policy & Planning Careers

Your Evolving Career

Stay adaptable in a changing world.

As more and more organizations focus on the link between healthy environments and quality of life, people who know how to integrate environmentally-conscious decisions and plan for sustainable actions are in high demand.

Get Career Support
Two environmental planning professionals work with solar panels

14% Job Growth

Employment of government analysts is projected to grow 14% from 2020-2030.
U.S. Dept. of Labor.

Opportunity

There are local companies and global corporations in our region looking for you!

$62,800

The median salary nationally for experienced environmental communications specialists is $62,800.
Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Career Options

This list is just a starting point. It represents just some, but not all, of the careers you might consider. There are a variety of professions in environmental policy and planning.

  • Community Planner
  • Policy Analyst
  • Sustainable Landscape Design
  • Invasive Species Educator
  • Sustainability Manager
  • Environmental Compliance Officer
  • Environmental Lawyer
  • Governmental Affairs Specialist
  • Outreach Coordinator
  • Watershed Manager
Explore Handshake
Architect works on concept for wind mills turbineArchitect sketches building conceptCoworkers meet to go over environmental design planTwo environmentalists perform water tests

A Phoenix can land almost anywhere!

Our graduates have found employment with environmental groups, in local government and in environmental compliance departments of large companies.

  • United States Environmental Protection Agency
  • KBX Logistics
  • Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  • BioLife Plasma Services
  • Crystal Mountain Resort
  • LaForce, Inc.
  • Sterling Landscape Services
  • Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance
  • North Central Conservancy Trust
  • New Leaf Foods
  • Ecological Services
  • Door County Parks

Broaden Your
Potential

Graduate school might be right for you.

Some careers in our field, like environmental lawyers and community planners, require further education. More than the requirement, though, a master's degree can increase your earning potential and make valuable connections with industry professionals. Fortunately, you can get your master's degree in environmental science and policy right here at UW-Green Bay.

Level Up
Male graduate smiles for photo at comencement ceremony
Erin Carviou, Water Management Specialist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Dig in to
Your Degree

"My favorite part of the program was real life or simulated activities that applied the topics and concepts that we learned. Activities like Dr. Wheat’s law simulations or surveys of lake properties in environmental planning allowed us to take the overall topic that we were digging into and applied the various concepts and regulation that we had learned to that particular situation by doing something other than just the typical term paper."

Erin Carviou '14
Water Management Specialist – Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Professor Elizabeth Wheat

Want to know More?

Not sure of your next step? Contact Professor Elizabeth Wheat. As an associate professor and pre-law advisor, she can help you figure out your career path.

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