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Environmental Engineer - Career Profile |
Career OverviewEnvironmental engineers are responsible for designing, building and maintaining systems to control the waste streams municipalities and private industries produce. These waste streams can be waste water, solid waste, hazardous waste, or contaminated emissions in the atmosphere (air pollution). Environmental engineers usually work for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or for private industry or engineering consulting firms. Environmental engineering is a relatively new science, going back to about 1970.
Environmental engineers find solutions to environmental problems through the principles of chemistry and biology. They are involved in the control of air and water pollution, waste disposal, recycling, and public health issues. Environmental engineers carry out hazardous waste management studies in which they determine the significance of the hazard, advise on treatment and containment, and develop regulations to prevent accidents.
Environmental engineers water supply systems for municipalities, as well as waste water treatment systems for communities and industries. They conduct research on the environmental impact a proposed construction project will have. They analyze scientific data pertaining to the environment and perform quality control checks.
Environmental engineers are concerned with all environmental issues, whether they are regional or global. They work to minimize the harmful effects of automobile emissions, acid rain, global warming and ozone depletion. They will investigate to find out why fish in a small pond suddenly die. In such a case, if the cause can be traced to a local industry, that industry will be fined and told to comply with EPA regulations or face further penalties. To protect themselves from such incidents, industries will hire environmental engineers or employ an environmental consulting firm. In this way the industry avoids breaking EPA regulations, or gets back into compliance if it has been in violation of regulations.
Besides keeping watch for pollution in the air and water, environmental engineers inspect landfill sites. They also design systems to reduce, recycle and treat hazardous waste. This is one of the most technical challenges environmental engineers face, and requires the best-educated persons in the field.
Environmental engineers spend a lot of time writing reports and filling out forms. But they also do a lot of fieldwork. An environmental engineer might have to inspect a smokestack, wade a stream, or study the effects of erosion on a hillside.
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Career RequirementsHigh school students interested in becoming environmental engineers should take courses in science and mathematics. They should also develop good written communication skills. Competition to get into the best engineering skills is high, so it is vital that students do well on ACT or SAT tests.
Students can earn an undergraduate degree in environmental engineering in a post-secondary institution, or they can work toward a more traditional engineering degree with an environmental focus. They can also obtain a master’s degree in environmental engineering.
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Job OutlookMany of the major environmental cleanup jobs that began in the 1980s have been completed. Nonetheless, there will be faster than average growth of job opportunities for environmental engineers through 2010.
Environmental engineers will be needed to help clean up hazards that still exist, and they will be needed to help companies comply with regulations. The tendency toward protecting the public health through prevention will create more jobs in this field. The EPA will continue to be the main employer of environmental engineers, but consulting firms and industry will also require them.
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Career TrackOnce an environmental engineer has gained some work experience, there are opportunities for advancement. Those who work for the EPA can be promoted to department supervisor or they can make the transition to private industry or a consulting firm. In-house environmental staff members can advance to supervisory positions.
Engineers employed by consulting firms can become specialists or project managers. The environmental field is evolving very rapidly. New specialties are constantly emerging. An environmental engineer can create advancement by getting in on the beginning of a new specialty.
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CompensationEngineers dealing with hazardous waste earn slightly more than others. A beginning engineer with a bachelor’s degree earns about $37,000 a year. With a master’s degree the annual salary is about $43,000 to start. Salaries can go up to $60,000 and more.
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