Environmental Engineer Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an environmental engineer. Feel free to use our environmental engineer job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an environmental engineer.
Who Is An Environmental Engineer?
Environmental engineering is a relatively recent field with a storied and illustrious past.
Carlyle coined the term “environment” in 1827 to describe the collection of circumstances in which a person or thing exists. In 1956, the term took on a new meaning when it was used for ecology, which is the field of science concerned with the link between living organisms and their surroundings. Environmental engineering is a vast field that incorporates chemistry, ecology, geology, hydraulics, hydrology, microbiology, economics, and mathematics into its knowledge, ability, and expertise. The environmental engineer derives concern for the greater good from ethics. It was once a specialist field under civil engineering that was known as sanitary engineering until the mid-1960s when the more correct name of environmental engineering was chosen.
The term “environmental engineer” was not coined until the mid-1960s, when university programs in engineering and public health expanded their scope and demanded a more precise title to characterize their curricula and graduates. However, the origins of this profession may be traced back to the beginning of time.
Environmental engineering is a term that has been used to describe work that has been done since the dawn of civilization as people have learned to manipulate and regulate the environment to satisfy their requirements. People established mechanisms to improve their surroundings when they realized how important it was to their health. In response to rising public concern about water and air pollution, as well as other environmental degradation, Environmental Engineering became a distinct academic discipline in the middle of the twentieth century. As society and technology became more sophisticated, unanticipated consequences on the environment became more common. People have had to be concerned about air quality and soil contamination as cities have grown and large-scale farming and industrialization have emerged.
Joseph Bazalgette is claimed to be the first environmental engineer.
An Environmental engineer is someone who uses scientific and engineering principles to improve and manage the environment to safeguard human health, and natural ecosystems, and promote environmental-related enhancements of human life.
Environmental engineering is a branch of engineering that focuses on wastewater management, water, and air pollution control, recycling, waste disposal, and public health. Environmental engineers are responsible for the design of municipal water supply and industrial wastewater treatment systems, as well as the prevention of waterborne diseases. These plans are designed to prevent and improve sanitation in urban, rural, and recreational settings. They assess hazardous-waste management systems to determine the severity of potential dangers, provide treatment and containment recommendations, and draft legislation to avoid catastrophes.
They put environmental engineering laws into practice, such as evaluating the environmental impact of planned construction projects.
Environmental engineers research the effects of technological advancements on the environment, tackling local and global challenges such as acid rain, global warming, ozone depletion, water pollution, and air pollution from automotive emissions and industrial sources. Environmental engineers provide answers to environmental problems by applying engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry principles. These activities protect human health and the environment by restricting disease transmission and minimizing contamination and deterioration of air, water, and land resources. Environmental Engineers work to promote recycling, waste disposal, public health, and pollution management in water and the air. To handle environmental challenges and ensure environmental sustainability, they work with environmental scientists, urban and regional planners, hazardous-waste technicians, and other engineers, as well as professionals such as lawyers and business experts.
Environmental Engineer Job Description
Below are the environmental engineer job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an environmental engineer job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of an environmental engineer include the following:
- Providing advice about preventing future difficulties.
- Assessing or forecasting past, present, and future environmental problems using mathematical tools and computer modeling.
- Determining whether or not a location conforms to environmental regulations: The engineer will examine the environmental standards to see if they’re being followed correctly.
- Designing, creating, testing, and implementing technical solutions that will assist businesses in actively reducing their negative environmental effect.
- Keeping up with environmental legal changes: the Engineer must know current environmental regulations and guidelines.
- Identifying and considering potential contaminant sources.
- Collecting, and maintaining plans, permits, and basic operating procedures
- Making suggestions for preserving and increasing environmental performance: Making recommendations for operations related to cleanup, reclamation, and waste management
- Examining best practices in stormwater management for municipal, industrial, and construction stormwater programs.
- Creating and maintaining air quality management systems that adhere to air permit and regulation requirements.
- Reporting Environmental occurrences, such as internal spills, exterior releases, probable permit non-compliances, and forthcoming regulatory inspections to plant management.
- Preparing and negotiating numerous environmental permit applications as a leader or as a supporter.
- Interfacing with various regulatory bodies, preparing appropriate documentation, scheduling required testing and providing any additional follow-up documentation that may be required.
- Trashing materials such as water and plastics, particularly high-volume industrial waste, must be disposed of.
- Ensuring environmental compliance by minimizing spills and emissions’ environmental impact.
- Bringing your mastery from the field to the office is a crucial fraction of the position, and you’ll be expected to relate your ideas, proposals, and costings to clients, and other stakeholders.
- Restoring and Cleansing lands that have been harmed by mining, landfills, or farming.
- Collecting data from various sources such as site evaluations, environmental monitoring, and third-party reports.
- Assessing the project’s hazard or commercial operation’s influence on the environment.
- Visiting the site regularly may necessitate early mornings or overnight stays.
- Drafting and presenting findings, costings, health and safety plans, and suggestions for containment, clean-up, remediation, recycling, and garbage disposal to resolve environmental concerns.
- Advising and collaborating with other professionals, such as environmental scientists, planners, construction workers, lawyers, and landowners, to unravel and solve environmental issues and promote environmental sustainability.
- Coordinating with clients and local governments on project planning issues
- Communicating with susceptible stakeholders such as residents to reduce the effects of projects on the community.
- Creating site-specific health and safety procedures, such as spill contingency plans and loading and transportation methods for raw materials.
- Implementing, managing, and supervising construction and repair projects
- carrying out technical audits
Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering or a similar field such as civil, chemical, or general engineering is required.
- A master’s degree is preferable. It will give you an edge.
- A PE (Professional Engineering) license is vital.
- Internships and cooperative engineering programs could also be beneficial.
- Some years of experience in the field as an environmental engineer will give you an edge.
- A written exam and an oral peer review must be passed.
Essential Skills
- Creativity/ Imagination: Environmental engineers are frequently called upon to create solutions that will be integrated into bigger systems. They must consider how the proposed designs will interact with other parts of the system, such as employees, machinery, and equipment, as well as the surrounding environment.
- Good Interpersonal skills: Environmental engineers must collaborate with other professionals to achieve a common aim. They usually collaborate with engineers and scientists who create additional systems, as well as technicians and mechanics who implement the plans.
- Skills in problem-solving: Environmental engineers seek to handle numerous challenges at once while developing facilities and processes, ranging from worker safety to environmental protection. They must recognize and anticipate issues to avoid losses for their companies, protect the health of their employees, and limit environmental damage.
- Reading ability: Environmental engineers frequently collaborate with persons outside their specialty, such as business people, lawyers, and other experts. They are regularly needed to read and comprehend materials that deal with subjects that are outside of their training.
- Good Writing skills: Environmental engineers must write properly so that individuals who are unfamiliar with their field can understand their documents, such as plans, proposals, specifications, and findings, among other things.
- Safety mentality: Workplace safety, sustainability, and environmental compliance must all be your priorities.
- Ability to work Independently: A proven ability to follow directions and work independently as well as in a team atmosphere, as well as a pleasant professional attitude, will help you succeed in this position.
- Computer knowledge: Microsoft Office product knowledge and proficiency are crucial requirements.
- Skills in project management: You must be self-motivated and have excellent project management abilities.
- Excellent organizational skills: To manage all the many phases of a project, you’ll need to be an outstanding organizer.
- Capable of working under duress and adhering to severe project deadlines.
- Self-assured enough to ask questions and challenge the status quo.
- The ability to acquire and analyze scientific data.
How To Become An Environmental Engineer
1) Earn An Environmental Engineering Bachelor’s Degree: A bachelor’s degree in engineering is usually required for entry-level environmental engineering work. Aspirants should seek programs that have been accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) or other respectable regional bodies. Many graduate schools, licensing boards, professional organizations, and companies seek ABET certification to ensure that an engineering program fulfills established quality standards and best practices. ABET-accredited degrees can be earned online or on campus. Students enrolling in online environmental engineering programs can usually complete their hands-on, practical requirements in their local regions.
Environmental engineering programs give students the knowledge they need to become certified, acquire certifications, and excel in the field. Environmental engineering bachelor’s degrees are available at some engineering colleges, but not all. Future professionals frequently enroll in comparable disciplines, such as civil, chemical, or general engineering, before receiving specialized training in graduate school or on the job. Aspirants are urged to look for programs that include “co-ops” in their curriculum (i.e., they award credit for structured work experience). Aspirants will be better able to meet future licensure and employment requirements if they do so. Some institutions offer five-year bachelor’s and master’s degrees, which can be a more cost-effective alternative for students than completing the two degrees individually.
2) Get a Master’s Degree In Environmental Engineering(Optional): Although a master’s degrees in environmental engineering are not essential to work in the area, failing to obtain one can limit students’ future professional responsibilities and licensing options. Environmental engineering programs at the graduate level are more advanced and specialized than those offered at the undergraduate level.
3) Set Up State Licensure: Without a license, most environmental engineers are unable to work on their own. Individual states determine licensure standards, according to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). Candidates should check the licensing requirements in the state in which they plan to operate, according to the Council. Several states need environmental engineering students and recent graduates to complete the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) test to obtain special Engineer in Training (EIT) or Engineer Intern (EI) licenses.
4) Get a Field Work Experience: Graduates of environmental engineering who complete state practice criteria, including those linked to EIT or EI license, are free to work in the field, but only under the supervision of Professional Engineers (PEs). Work and any practical co-op experience accomplished as part of a bachelor’s or master’s degree program in environmental engineering prepare new engineers to become PEs. A certain number of years in the area is also required for most board and professional certifications.
5) Become a Professional Environmental Engineer (PE)(Optional): A PE license is a voluntary yet valuable certificate, similar to a master’s degree in environmental engineering. Professional engineers often earn more and have more opportunities for growth than their non-credentialed counterparts. They can also practice on their own and do a larger range of tasks.
6) Venture into Board And Professional Environmental Engineering(Optional): Additional voluntary but highly helpful credentials include board and professional certificates. These credentials show that an environmental engineer is a true specialist in the subject, whether in general or in a specific area. The most prevalent forms of advanced certifications are shown below.
Where To Work As An Environmental Engineer
- Central Government Departments.
- Executive Agencies.
- Construction Companies.
- Energy and Utilities.
- Mining Industries.
- Manufacturing Companies.
- Environmental Consultancy.
- Land and Property Development, etc.
Environmental Engineer Salary Scale
An Environmental Engineer’s salary is determined by several criteria, including the size and type of business for which you work, your location, your abilities and experience, and whether or not you have charters.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an environmental engineer earns a mean annual salary of $96,820. Professionals working for the federal government continue to earn the highest salaries, followed by engineering services and municipal governments.