SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Sustainability Specialists

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Campus Energy Coordinator
  • Energy and Sustainability Strategic Advisor
  • Sustainability Advisor
  • Sustainability Champion
  • Sustainability Consultant
  • Sustainability Coordinator
  • Sustainability Specialist
  • Sustainable Design Champion

What do Sustainability Specialists do?

A Sustainability Specialist is a professional dedicated to promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable practices within organizations and communities. Their primary focus is to develop and implement strategies that minimize ecological footprints and enhance operational efficiency, while also ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. These specialists assess the environmental impact of projects and processes, conduct sustainability audits, and analyze data to identify areas for improvement. They often collaborate with cross-functional teams, including management, engineering, and marketing, to foster a culture of sustainability that aligns with organizational goals. Sustainability Specialists also engage in stakeholder education and advocacy, promoting awareness of sustainable practices and their benefits to both the environment and the organization’s bottom line. By researching and applying emerging trends and technologies in sustainability, they help organizations innovate and create more sustainable solutions that benefit both society and the planet.

What the work actually is

  • Develop sustainability project goals, objectives, initiatives, or strategies in collaboration with other sustainability professionals.
  • Monitor or track sustainability indicators, such as energy usage, natural resource usage, waste generation, and recycling.
  • Assess or propose sustainability initiatives, considering factors such as cost effectiveness, technical feasibility, and acceptance.
  • Provide technical or administrative support for sustainability programs or issues.
  • Review and revise sustainability proposals or policies.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Writing Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • 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.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Abilities

  • Written Comprehension The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Written Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Deductive Reasoning The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Knowledge

  • Administration and Management Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Law and Government Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
  • 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.
  • Building and Construction Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Some college, no degree

A normal week

  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Getting Information
  • Developing Objectives and Strategies
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  • Analyzing Data or Information

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Computer aided design CAD software Autodesk AutoCAD · Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D · Autodesk Revit · Bentley MicroStation
  • Presentation software Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Analytical or scientific software Life cycle assessment LCA software · PE INTERNATIONAL GaBi · PE INTERNATIONAL SoFi · PRe Consultants SimaPro
  • Graphics or photo imaging software Adobe Creative Cloud software · Adobe Illustrator · Adobe Photoshop
  • Desktop publishing software Adobe InDesign · Microsoft Publisher · Quark enterprise publishing software

Tools

  • Photocopiers Photocopying equipment
  • Scanners Computer data input scanners
  • Notebook computers Laptop computers
  • Laser printers Computer laser printers
  • Special purpose telephones Multi-line telephone systems

Who it suits

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Questions people ask

How much do Sustainability Specialists earn in South Africa?

Sustainability Specialists salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Sustainability Specialists do?

Develop sustainability project goals, objectives, initiatives, or strategies in collaboration with other sustainability professionals, Monitor or track sustainability indicators, such as energy usage, natural resource usage, waste generation, and recycling and Assess or propose sustainability initiatives, considering factors such as cost effectiveness, technical feasibility, and acceptance.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.