Unit Group (L4) 2142

2142 — Environmentalists and Related Professionals

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L4 CODE: 2142
2 PROFESSIONALS → 21 Science and Engineering Professionals → 214 Agriculturalists, Environmentalists and Related Professionals
Summary
Environmentalists and Related Professionals (KeSCO 2142) supports outcomes in the Science, Engineering & Built Environment sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Minimum entry
Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
Future outlook
Future trends such as digital transformation, automation, climate resilience, and changing consumer needs are shaping most occupations. Workers who continuously upskill (digital literacy, quality standards, safety, customer service, and modern tools) are more resilient and competitive.
Sectors
Science, Engineering & Built EnvironmentProfessional ServicesPublic SectorPrivate SectorNGO/DevelopmentSpecialised Practice
Description
Environmentalists and Related Professionals (KeSCO 2142) supports outcomes in the Science, Engineering & Built Environment sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Employment prospects
Prospects depend on national and county demand, sector investment, policy priorities, and supply of trained workers. Job seekers improve prospects by gaining practical experience, building a portfolio or track record, earning relevant certifications, and being flexible on location and sub-sector.
Tasks
  • Plan and prioritise daily work activities to meet targets and deadlines
  • Follow workplace procedures, standards, and relevant regulations
  • Carry out core job duties accurately and safely
  • Use job tools/equipment/software correctly and maintain them appropriately
  • Communicate progress, issues, and requirements with supervisors and colleagues
  • Serve clients/customers professionally and resolve routine queries
  • Document work completed, maintain records, and submit routine reports
  • Identify errors, risks, or service gaps and propose improvements
  • Work as part of a team and coordinate tasks across units
  • Maintain confidentiality and ethical conduct where required
  • Comply with occupational safety and health (OSH) guidelines
  • Participate in training, mentoring, or continuous improvement activities
Skills
Communication (verbal and written) | Teamwork and collaboration | Problem-solving and critical thinking | Time management and prioritisation | Attention to detail and accuracy | Customer service orientation | Integrity and ethical conduct | Adaptability and continuous learning | Decision-making and judgement | Documentation and record-keeping | Digital literacy (basic) | Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Core skills
  • Communication (verbal and written)
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking
  • Time management and prioritisation
  • Attention to detail and accuracy
  • Customer service orientation
  • Integrity and ethical conduct
  • Adaptability and continuous learning
  • Decision-making and judgement
  • Documentation and record-keeping
  • Digital literacy (basic)
  • Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Technical skills
  • Use of hand and power tools safely
  • Installation, maintenance, and repair procedures
  • Reading drawings/specifications and measurements
  • Troubleshooting and fault diagnosis
  • Quality control and workmanship standards
  • Equipment handling and preventive maintenance
  • Workplace safety and PPE usage
  • Basic electrical/mechanical principles (as relevant)
  • Material handling and storage
  • Site readiness and task planning
  • Compliance with standards and inspections
Transferable skills
  • Leadership and supervision (as one progresses)
  • Negotiation and stakeholder management
  • Conflict resolution
  • Presentation and public speaking
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Planning and organisation
  • Resilience and stress management
  • Service mindset and empathy
  • Networking and relationship building
  • Analytical thinking
  • Professionalism and work discipline
Certifications
  • Trade test / competency certification (where applicable)
  • Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) certification (strongly recommended)
  • Equipment-specific operator certification (where applicable)
  • First Aid certification (recommended in many workplaces)
Education
Specialised degree in the relevant discipline | Graduate internship/attachments where applicable | Professional registration/licensing where regulated | Experience-based progression into senior/specialist roles
Pathways
  • Specialised degree in the relevant discipline
  • Graduate internship/attachments where applicable
  • Professional registration/licensing where regulated
  • Experience-based progression into senior/specialist roles
Relevant courses
  • Diploma/Certificate in Electrical/Electronics Engineering
  • Diploma/Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
  • Civil/Construction Technology
  • Welding and Fabrication
  • Plumbing and Pipefitting
  • Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
  • Automotive Mechanics
  • Plant/Machine Operation
  • Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)
  • CAD/Draughting basics
Institutions
  • Universities (accredited public and private universities offering relevant programmes)
  • National Polytechnics and TVET institutions (diploma, certificate, artisan programmes)
  • Technical Training Institutes and Vocational Centres
  • Professional Colleges and Accredited Training Academies
  • Sector Training Authorities and Recognised Centres of Excellence
  • Employer-based Academies and Apprenticeship Programmes
  • Online Learning Platforms (supplementary; verify recognition for regulated fields)
  • Industry Associations and Professional Bodies (short courses/CPD)
Minimum requirements
  • Minimum education: Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
  • Basic literacy and numeracy (reading, writing, and basic calculations)
  • Good conduct, reliability, and professional behaviour
  • Ability to follow instructions, procedures, and workplace rules
  • Basic digital literacy where the role uses computers/phones
  • Physical/medical fitness where the role is physically demanding or safety-sensitive
  • Regulatory registration/licensing where required (profession-dependent)
  • Background checks/clearance for sensitive roles where applicable
Work context
Workplace policies | Team collaboration | Quality standards | Professional environment | Standards compliance | Reporting
Where they work
  • Public sector institutions, private companies, NGOs and community-based organisations depending on the sector.
Work setting
Not specified.
Schedule
Full-time commonDaytime hours commonDeadlines possible
Employment type
Formal employment possible
Earnings
Entry level
KES 50,000 – 120,000
Mid level
KES 120,000 – 250,000
Senior level
KES 250,000+
Entry-level typical range (illustrative): KES 50,000 – 120,000 | Mid-level typical range (illustrative): KES 120,000 – 250,000 | Senior/experienced typical range (illustrative): KES 250,000+ | Earnings vary by employer (public/private), location, allowances, commissions, overtime, risk factors, and scarcity of skills
How to become one
Complete a degree in the relevant discipline, undertake internships or graduate programmes and meet any professional registration or licensing requirements.
Career progression
  • Entry/Intern → Junior Practitioner → Mid-level → Senior Specialist
  • Senior Specialist → Team Lead/Principal → Manager/Head of Unit (where applicable)
  • Some pathways include consultancy, research, training, or policy roles
Related occupations
  • Other occupations within the same KeSCO major group
  • Support roles in the same sector/industry
  • Supervisory roles related to this occupation’s work area
  • Specialist variants of the same occupation (where they exist)
Occupation titles
2142-13 — Air Pollution analyst
Air Pollution analyst is responsible for does research, inspect and investigate levels of air pollution, and to take the necessary steps to ensure good air quality so that public health concerns are addressed; analyze air samples in the laboratory to determine the presence and level of various pollutants record and report data on air quality to the relevant government agencies e.g within their professional field.
2142-14 — Conservation Officer
Conservation Officer is responsible for develop and implement programs and regulations for the protection of fish, wildlife and other natural resources; manage and increase conservation awareness in the community prepare conservation reports, plans publicity materials and displays within their professional field.
2142-15 — Conservation scientist
Conservation scientist is responsible for manage the land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources; conduct research on how ecosystem works and identity threats to their health develops conservation plans within their professional field.
2142-12 — Ecologist
Ecologist is responsible for studies the relationship between organisms, and between organisms and their environment; identifies wetland delineations, and coordinating threatened and endangered species management conducts habitat evaluation within their professional field.
2142-11 — Environment scientist
Environment scientist is responsible for conducts research effects of human activities on the environment develops and implements strategies to protect and conserve natural resources collect and analyze data on air and water quality, soil health and other environmental factors within their professional field.
2142-16 — Environmental adviser
Environmental adviser is responsible for ensures that construction projects comply with environmental regulations and targets; they strategically plan ways to keep air pollution or water and soil contamination to a minimum, reduce material waste ensure that any necessary waste is disposed of in the correct manner within their professional field.
2142-17 — Environmental auditor
Environmental auditor is responsible for assess the environmental performance of operations and environmental management systems in business and industry; develops environmental management plans monitors environmental regulations and standards identifies environmental risks within their professional field.
2142-18 — Environmental consultant
Environmental consultant is responsible for provide environmental guidance to clients for new industrial projects; keeps advice on how to dispose waste materials perform research and analysis to understand environmental effects of industrial plants; forecast potential environmental problems and provide recommendations within their professional field.
2142-28 — Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineer is responsible for evaluate the environmental impact of construction projects, land use change, and industrial processes design and develop systems and processes to protect the environment from pollution develop environmental regulations develop and implement plans for the safe disposal of hazardous waste advise businesses and government on ways to reduce their environmental impact and promote sustainable practices within their professional field.
2142-26 — Environmental Health officer
Environmental Health officer is responsible for monitoring and enforcing health and hygiene legislation; disease surveillance and control health promotion and control investigates when there's an incident, such as pollution, a noise problem, toxic contamination, pest infestation or an outbreak of food poisoning; advise employers about matters of environmental health within their professional field.
2142-21 — Environmental research scientist
Environmental research scientist is responsible for study and develop policies and plans for the control of factors which may produce pollution, imbalance in or degradation of the environment; monitors and assess the quality of air, water and soil in different regions study the effects of climate change within their professional field.
2142-25 — Paleo-botanist
Paleo-botanist is responsible for examines the fossilized remains of dead plants; provides insight into the evolution of plants life conduct fieldwork to collect fossilized samples from exposed rock formations or drill cores within their professional field.
2142-22 — Park ranger
Park ranger is responsible for responsible for the protection and conservation of woodlands, forests, and conservatories; protects the natural resources, ecosystem, and wildlife within a national park and the people who visit the park; habitat management in the parks and reserves law enforcement conducts research on animal population within their professional field.
2142-27 — Radiation Protection expert
Radiation Protection expert is responsible for use scientific techniques and equipment to measure and monitor radiation, assess risks and ensure the safety of the workplace, the general public and the environment, works within both nuclear and non nuclear industries; develops and implement radiation safety policies and procedures conduct inspections and audits to ensure that radiation sources are properly stored and handled within their professional field.
2142-24 — Taxonomist
Taxonomist is responsible for collect plants, animals, fungi or micro organisms, study them, and group them according to patterns of variation within their professional field.
2142-23 — Water quality analyst
Water quality analyst is responsible for responsible for monitoring and testing the water in our rivers, lakes, streams, and other bodies of water; they look for signs that the water may be contaminated by human or industrial activity, and they also check to see if any pollutants are present that could harm aquatic life within their professional field.