Carrer in Environmental Engineering

Job Description
An environmental engineer solves problems in the environment using her or his knowledge of
engineering, soil science, chemistry and biology. His or her concerns include pollution control,
recycling and public health issues.Environmental engineers conduct hazardous-waste management
studies, evaluate the significance of the hazard, offer analysis on treatment and containment, and
develop regulations to prevent mishaps. They design municipal sewage and industrial wastewater
systems. They analyze scientific data, research controversial projects, and perform quality control
checks.
Environmental engineers are concerned with local and worldwide environmental issues. They
study and attempt to minimize the effects of acid rain, global warming, automobile emissions, and
ozone depletion. They also are involved in the protection of wildlife.Many environmental engineers
work as consultants, helping their clients comply with regulations and clean up hazardous sites,
including brownfields, which are abandoned urban or industrial sites that may contain
environmental hazards.
They use the principles of mathematics, biology, chemistry, and other scientific disciplines to
perform these duties.An Environmental Engineer's job description has two main areas of focus: the
remediation of existing environmental threats and the development of new approaches to prevent
and control future environmental health hazards. Their job description may include providing
network and regulatory analysis, performing quality control checks, and updating permits.
Engineers also work closely with industry, business, and government agencies to ensure that
they are in compliance with federal, State, and local environmental laws. Additional responsibilities
could include technical advising, managing projects, and developing systems of review.
Environmental Engineers may have to develop site cleanup plans, supervise processes, and make
sure that the cleanup is done according to environmental laws. They also may communicate with
business and government agencies to coordinate services to minimize the risk or impact of
environmental accidents.
Environmental Engineers frequently work as part of a team. Engineers often attend meetings
with staff, government officials, and other interested parties, providing technical advice and the
interpretation of environmental law.

Working Condition
Environmental Engineers work in office buildings, laboratories, or industrial plants. They
frequently spend time outdoors at construction sites, facilities, businesses, and other locations to
oversee project implementation or verify compliance with environmental laws. Environmental
Engineers may travel extensively to plants or worksites. When working in hazardous conditions,
Environmental Engineers must be trained in health and safety procedures, and they must wear
personal protective equipment. Most Engineers work a standard 40-hour workweek, but can expect
occasional evening, weekend, and holiday work to meet pressing needs.
 Education, Training, and Other Requirements

A bachelor's degree in engineering is generally the minimum educational level that employers
will consider for a position as an Environmental Engineer. Most engineering programs involve a
concentration of study in an engineering specialty, along with courses in design, mathematics,
physical and life sciences, and hands-on laboratory classes. In addition to the core classes which
often reflect civil, chemical, or mechanical engineering basics, coursework may also include a focus
on air pollution control, water and wastewater management, and public health. Environmental
engineering programs in some universities may be located within the Department of Civil
Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or the school of Public Health.

Experience

Many employers will hire only those with a master's degree or at least four years of successful
experience in this field, and a Professional Engineers (PE) license. However, larger companies may
offer entry-level engineering positions for college graduates and provide them with formal
classroom or seminar-type training. These entry-level Engineers, while under the direction of a
licensed Engineer, gain knowledge and experience and are assigned more difficult projects with
greater independence to develop designs, solve problems, and make decisions. Licensed Engineers
no longer require the approval of a professional overseer and can approve documents directly.

Task of Environmental Engineering

Task Skill Used in this Task

Direct installation or operation of environmental monitoring
Systems Analysis
devices or supervise related data collection programs.
Inspect industrial or municipal facilities or programs to evaluate
operational effectiveness or ensure compliance with environmental Systems Evaluation
regulations.
Collaborate with environmental scientists, planners, hazardous
Engineering and
waste technicians, engineers, and experts in law or business to
Technology
address environmental problems.
Develop plans for new water resources or water efficiency Judgment and
programs. Decision Making
Prepare, review, or update environmental investigation or
Writing
recommendation reports.
Gather and analyze water use data to forecast water demand. Mathematics
Design or supervise the design of systems processes, or equipment
for control, management, or remediation of water, air, or soil Design
quality.
Provide technical support for environmental remediation or
litigation projects, including remediation system design or Critical Thinking
determination of regulatory applicability.
Advise corporations or government agencies of procedures to
Complex Problem
follow in cleaning up contaminated sites to protect people and the
Solving
environment.
Inform company employees or other interested parties of Customer and
environmental issues. Personal Service
Develop proposed project objectives and targets, and report to
Inductive Reasoning
management on progress in attaining them.
Advise industries or government agencies about environmental
Law and Government
policies and standards.
Assess the existing or potential environmental impact of land use
Problem Sensitivity
projects on air, water, or land.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Information Network (O*NET)

Skill

Skill Definition
Determining how a system should work and how changes in
Systems Analysis
conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the
Systems Evaluation actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the
goals of the system.
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and
Engineering and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques,
Technology procedures, and equipment to the design and production of
various goods and services.
Judgment and Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to
Decision Making choose the most appropriate one.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs
Writing
of the audience.
Mathematics Using mathematics to solve problems.
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in
Design production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and
models.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses
Critical Thinking
of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to
Solving develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
 Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and
Customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment,
Personal Service meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer
satisfaction.
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules
Inductive Reasoning or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly
unrelated events).
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents,
Law and Government government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the
democratic political process.
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
Problem Sensitivity It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a
problem.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Information Network (O*NET)

Activity

These are some typical job duties taken from online ads for environmental engineer
positions found onindeed.com:
Provide recommendations for maintaining and improving environmental performance.
Review environmental regulations and determine or seek assistance with applicability
determinations.
Identify, assess and apply storm water best management practices for industrial, municipal and
construction storm water programs.
Create and maintain environmental management systems to comply with air permits and air
regulations.
Report all environmental incidents, including internal spills, external releases, potential permit
non-compliances, regulatory inspections, or similar incidents to plant management.
Lead and/or support preparation and negotiation of permit applications.
Interface with regulatory agencies, prepare required documentation, schedule any required
testing, and provide additional follow-up documentation as required.

There is a lot you can do with an Environmental Engineering degree, and there are many
employers interested in the skills that graduates of these programs have to offer. The following is a
list of industry sectors are those that typically hire Environmental Engineering graduates.

Architectural & Engineering Firm

Engineering Consulting Firm

Federal Government
 Municipal Government

Power Industry

Provincial/State Government

Research Institute

Special Interest Groups

Related Occupations
Engineers apply the principles of physical science and mathematics in their work. Other workers
who use scientific and mathematical principles include architects, except landscape and naval;
engineering and natural sciences managers; computer and information systems managers; computer
programmers; Computer software engineers; mathematicians; drafters; engineering technicians;
sales engineers; science technicians; and physical and life scientists, including agricultural and food
scientists, biological scientists, conservation scientists and foresters, atmospheric scientists, chemists
and materials scientists, environmental scientists and hydrologists, geoscientists, and physicists and
astronomers.

Air Pollution Control Engineers

Conduct evaluations, including design, installation, and operation of air pollution control
equipment. They examine industrial and commercial practices, equipment, emission control
devices, records, and instrumentation to ensure compliance with air pollution control laws.
Engineers calculate and compare data involving air pollution control measures for industrial and
commercial procedures. They also review plans and permit applications.

Environmental Remediation Specialists

Identify and clean up the damage caused by environmental contaminants. They design,
implement, and manage remediation systems. Specialists also offer technical assistance to
project stakeholders and various agencies.

Water and Wastewater Engineers

Design or oversee projects involving provision of fresh water, disposal of wastewater and
sewage, or prevention of flood-related damage. They prepare environmental documentation for
water resources, regulatory program compliance, data management and analysis, and field
work. Engineers perform hydraulic modeling and pipeline design. They also inspect new well and
pump installations, review construction reports for code conformity, and may be involved with
eliminating existing groundwater pollution problems.
Waste Management Engineers

Evaluate data and information for landfill sites and construction conformity. Activities may
include meeting with staff, consultants, site owners, and other interested parties. Engineers
develop and review plans and compare environmental protection agency criteria with site
information. Hazardous waste transportation, storage, treatment, and disposal practices are
evaluated for compliance. In order to implement, enforce, and determine legal conformity,
Engineers must understand environmental laws and regulations. Other duties may include
conducting facility inspections, developing technical guidelines, and providing technical
assistance.

Tools and Technology

Environmental Engineers use a variety of tools, including air quality monitoring and water quality
testing instruments, computers, groundwater monitoring equipment, oil-in-water monitors,
radiation detectors, volatile organic compound analyzers, and industrial equipment.

Earnings
Environmental engineers earned a median annual salary of $80,890 in 2012 (US).

Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15
Edition, Environmental Engineers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-
engineering/environmental-engineers.htm (visited March 31, 2014).
Employment and Training Administration, US Department of Labor, O*NET Online,Environmental
Engineer, on the Internet at http://online.onetcenter.org/link/details/17-2081.00 (visited March 31,
2014).