Environmental risk management has become one of the most important areas in commercial banking and real estate finance. As global regulations tighten and sustainability standards evolve, financial institutions are increasingly investing in professionals who can assess environmental liabilities tied to lending and property transactions.
The Environmental Risk Associate role at JPMorganChase offers experienced environmental professionals an opportunity to work at the intersection of finance, commercial real estate, and environmental compliance. This position supports the Commercial & Investment Bank’s Credit Risk Management division by evaluating environmental exposure connected to commercial real estate lending.
Environmental Risk Associate Job Overview
| Job Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Position | Environmental Risk Associate |
| Company | JPMorgan Chase & Co. |
| Department | Commercial & Investment Bank |
| Category | Credit Risk |
| Employment Type | Full-Time |
| Work Schedule | Day Shift |
| Locations | Columbus, Ohio; Irvine, California; Plano, Texas; Chicago, Illinois |
| Salary Range | $88,350 – $139,000 annually |
| Posting Date | May 15, 2026 |
| Experience Required | 7+ Years |
| Education | Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Sciences or Related Field |
Featured Office Locations
Professionals applying for this role may work from several major U.S. business hubs.
About the Role
The Environmental Risk Associate position focuses on identifying, evaluating, and mitigating environmental risks connected to commercial real estate transactions. The role supports responsible lending practices by reviewing environmental documentation and advising banking teams on potential environmental liabilities.
This position is part of the Credit Risk Management team within J.P. Morgan’s Commercial & Investment Bank division. Professionals in this area help ensure that environmental issues do not negatively impact collateral value, borrower stability, or regulatory compliance.
Candidates with experience in environmental consulting, remediation oversight, environmental due diligence, and commercial property analysis are particularly well-suited for this opportunity.
Key Responsibilities of the Environmental Risk Associate
The role combines technical environmental expertise with financial risk analysis. Primary responsibilities include:
1. Environmental Report Review
Associates analyze environmental reports connected to commercial real estate lending transactions, including:
- Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs)
- Phase II subsurface investigations
- Remediation plans
- Property contamination assessments
- Environmental compliance documentation
Professionals prepare detailed review memoranda that summarize findings and recommend next steps for banking teams.
2. Commercial Real Estate Risk Analysis
The role involves evaluating environmental conditions affecting collateral properties used in lending transactions. Associates assess:
| Environmental Risk Area | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Soil Contamination | Identify remediation liabilities |
| Groundwater Issues | Assess environmental exposure |
| Hazardous Materials | Evaluate regulatory concerns |
| Industrial Site History | Detect historical contamination |
| Asbestos & Lead Risks | Ensure safety compliance |
| Environmental Compliance | Protect loan collateral value |
3. Coordination with Environmental Consultants
Environmental Risk Associates work closely with third-party environmental consulting firms to:
- Procure environmental reports
- Define project scopes
- Review technical work products
- Evaluate remediation recommendations
- Monitor ongoing investigations
Strong project management and communication skills are essential for coordinating multiple stakeholders.
4. Support for Credit Risk Decisions
Environmental findings directly influence lending decisions. Associates provide recommendations to internal banking teams regarding:
- Loan approvals
- Environmental reserve requirements
- Property remediation needs
- Risk mitigation strategies
- Defaulted loan investigations
This makes the role highly influential within commercial real estate lending operations.
Skills Required for Success
The ideal candidate combines environmental science expertise with business communication and analytical thinking.
Essential Technical Skills
| Skill | Importance |
|---|---|
| Environmental Due Diligence | Critical |
| Commercial Real Estate Analysis | High |
| Environmental Regulations Knowledge | High |
| Risk Assessment | Critical |
| Technical Report Writing | Essential |
| Data Analysis | Important |
| Remediation Oversight | Valuable |
Communication & Professional Skills
Successful professionals in this role typically demonstrate:
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Ability to explain technical findings clearly
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Attention to detail
- Independent research capabilities
- Client-facing professionalism
- Problem-solving mindset
Educational Background & Certifications
Applicants are generally expected to hold a bachelor’s degree in:
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Engineering
- Geology
- Earth Sciences
- Environmental Management
- Related technical disciplines
Preferred professional certifications may include:
| Certification | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Registered Environmental Assessor (REA) | Environmental evaluations |
| Certified Asbestos Consultant (CAC) | Hazardous materials |
| Professional Geologist (PG) | Site investigations |
| Environmental Professional (EP) | Regulatory compliance |
Salary & Compensation Insights
The advertised salary range for this position is:
| Location | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Chicago, Illinois | $88,350 – $139,000 |
| Irvine, California | $88,350 – $139,000 |
In addition to base salary, eligible employees may receive:
- Incentive compensation
- Performance bonuses
- Equity-based rewards
- Health insurance coverage
- Retirement savings plans
- Tuition reimbursement
- Wellness programs
- Mental health support
Compensation varies depending on experience, technical expertise, and location.
Why Environmental Risk Careers Are Growing
Environmental risk management has become increasingly important in the banking industry due to:
- Stricter environmental regulations
- ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) initiatives
- Increased scrutiny on commercial real estate
- Climate-related financial risk concerns
- Sustainable finance growth
Major financial institutions now require experienced environmental professionals to support responsible lending practices and regulatory compliance.
Work Environment & Career Growth
Professionals in this field often collaborate with:
- Credit risk teams
- Commercial bankers
- Real estate professionals
- Environmental consultants
- Legal departments
- Asset managers
Career progression opportunities may include:
| Career Path | Potential Advancement |
|---|---|
| Environmental Risk Associate | Senior Environmental Risk Manager |
| Credit Risk Specialist | Director of Environmental Risk |
| Environmental Consultant | Commercial Real Estate Risk Lead |
| ESG Risk Analyst | Enterprise Risk Management Roles |
About JPMorgan Chase & Co.
JPMorganChase is one of the world’s largest financial institutions, serving consumers, corporations, governments, and institutional clients globally. With more than 200 years of financial history, the company operates across investment banking, commercial banking, asset management, payments, and consumer financial services.
The organization emphasizes diversity, inclusion, employee development, and responsible business practices while maintaining a strong global presence across more than 100 countries.
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity may be ideal for professionals who have experience in:
- Environmental consulting
- Commercial real estate due diligence
- Environmental compliance
- Property risk management
- Site remediation projects
- Banking risk analysis
- ESG-related risk assessment
Candidates with strong technical environmental knowledge and an interest in financial services may find this career path both stable and rewarding.
Environmental Risk Associate at JPMorganChase – Apply Online
Final Thoughts
The Environmental Risk Associate role at JPMorgan Chase & Co. represents a strong career opportunity for experienced environmental professionals seeking to transition into commercial banking and credit risk management.
With competitive compensation, exposure to complex real estate transactions, and opportunities for long-term career advancement, this position offers a meaningful combination of environmental expertise and financial decision-making.
As sustainability and environmental compliance continue to shape global finance, environmental risk professionals are expected to remain in high demand across the banking and commercial real estate sectors.
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