Environmental Engineers :: Job Description

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Environmental Engineers

Careers / Environmental Engineers

Summary Description


	Research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Air Pollution Control Engineer

2.	Chief, Pesticides and Toxic Substances Branch

3.	Environmental Analyst

4.	Environmental Consultant

5.	Environmental Coordinator

6.	Environmental Designer

7.	Environmental Engineer

8.	Environmental Planner

9.	Environmental Project Manager

10.	Environmental Remediation Engineer

11.	Environmental Remediation Specialist

12.	Environmental Safety Specialist

13.	Environmental Scientist

14.	Environmental Systems Coordinator

15.	Environmentalist

16.	Flood Control Engineer

17.	Global Director Air and Climate Change

18.	Hazardous Substances Engineer

19.	Hazardous Waste Management Control Engineer

20.	Hazardous Waste Management Specialist

21.	Industrial Hygiene Engineer

22.	Irrigation Engineer

23.	Marine Engineer CPVEC (Marine Engineer Commercial Passenger Vessel Environmental Compliance)

24.	Pollution Control Engineer

25.	Project Engineer

26.	Project Manager

27.	Public Health Engineer

28.	Radiation Protection Engineer

29.	Regulatory Environmental Compliance Manager

30.	Remediation Project Engineer

31.	Reservoir Engineer

32.	Sanitary Engineer

33.	Sanitation Engineer

34.	Sewage Disposal Engineer

35.	Soil Engineer

36.	Solid Waste Engineer

37.	Solid Waste Management Engineer

38.	Waste Management Engineer

39.	Wastewater Treatment Engineer

40.	Water Resources Engineer

41.	Water Supply Engineer

42.	Water Treatment Plant Engineer

Job Tasks

	Design or supervise the design of systems, processes, or equipment for control, management, or remediation of water, air, or soil quality. Design environmental control systems.

	Advise corporations or government agencies of procedures to follow in cleaning up contaminated sites to protect people and the environment. Advise others regarding green practices or environmental concerns.

	Collaborate with environmental scientists, planners, hazardous waste technicians, engineers, experts in law or business, or other specialists to address environmental problems. Confer with other personnel to resolve design or operational problems.

	Obtain, update, or maintain plans, permits, or standard operating procedures. Maintain operational records or records systems.

	Serve as liaison with federal, state, or local agencies or officials on issues pertaining to solid or hazardous waste program requirements. Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.

	Provide technical support for environmental remediation or litigation projects, including remediation system design or determination of regulatory applicability. Advise others regarding green practices or environmental concerns.

	Prepare, review, or update environmental investigation or recommendation reports. Prepare technical or operational reports. Maintain operational records or records systems.

	Develop site-specific health and safety protocols, such as spill contingency plans or methods for loading or transporting waste. Develop technical methods or processes.

	Inspect industrial or municipal facilities or programs to evaluate operational effectiveness or ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Inspect facilities or sites to determine if they meet specifications or standards.

	Provide assistance with planning, quality assurance, safety inspection protocols, or sampling as part of a team conducting multimedia inspections at complex facilities. Inspect facilities or sites to determine if they meet specifications or standards.

	Prepare or present public briefings on the status of environmental engineering projects. Explain project details to the general public.

	Develop proposed project objectives and targets and report to management on progress in attaining them. Determine operational criteria or specifications. Prepare operational reports.

	Coordinate or manage environmental protection programs or projects, assigning or evaluating work. Direct environmental development activities.

	Direct installation or operation of environmental monitoring devices or supervise related data collection programs. Direct environmental development activities.

	Advise industries or government agencies about environmental policies and standards. Advise others regarding green practices or environmental concerns.

	Monitor progress of environmental improvement programs. Monitor activities affecting environmental quality.

	Prepare hazardous waste manifests or land disposal restriction notifications. Prepare technical or operational reports.

	Assess the existing or potential environmental impact of land use projects on air, water, or land. Investigate the environmental impact of projects.

	Prepare, maintain, or revise quality assurance documentation or procedures. Maintain operational records or records systems. Prepare procedural documents.

	Assess, sort, characterize, or pack known or unknown materials. Test characteristics of materials or structures. Package materials for transport.

	Assist in budget implementation, forecasts, or administration. Prepare project budgets.

	Provide environmental engineering assistance in network analysis, regulatory analysis, or planning or reviewing database development. Assist engineers or scientists with research.

	Inform company employees or other interested parties of environmental issues. Advise others regarding green practices or environmental concerns.

	Develop or present environmental compliance training or orientation sessions. Teach safety standards or environmental compliance methods.

	Provide administrative support for projects by collecting data, providing project documentation, training staff, or performing other general administrative duties. Maintain operational records or records systems. Train personnel on proper operational procedures.

	Request bids from suppliers or consultants. Purchase materials, equipment, or other resources.

	Develop, implement, or manage plans or programs related to conservation or management of natural resources. Prepare detailed work plans. Direct environmental development activities.

	Write reports or articles for Web sites or newsletters related to environmental engineering issues.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Environmental Engineers
	Environmental engineers use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems. They are involved in efforts to improve recycling, waste disposal, public health, and water and air pollution control.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Environmental Engineers
	Environmental engineers work in a variety of settings because of the nature of the tasks they do. When they are working with other engineers and urban and regional planners, environmental engineers are likely to be in offices. When they are carrying out solutions through construction projects, they are likely to be at construction sites.

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Interesting Fact

Dentists have one of the highest suicide rates of all professions. Their rate of suicide is 6.64 times greater than the rest of the working population.

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