Environmental Engineers

Career summary

#checked 3/5/19 lh

Environmental engineers find ways to:

• Reduce air and water pollution
• Increase recycling
• Improve waste disposal

Environmental engineers find or analyze contaminants such as chemicals in soil, air, and water. Sometimes they do this when a company wants to buy property or when a leakage is reported. Once they have collected information, they write a report that summarizes their findings.

When contamination is found, environmental engineers help their clients find the best ways to solve the problem. They often design systems or equipment to clean up a site. They present options for remediation (or clean up), timelines, and costs. They help their clients understand the environmental rules that apply to them.

Environmental engineers coordinate the work done on environmental projects. They hire workers and obtain required permits. They also contact landfills to haul away and dispose contaminated soil.

To make sure work is completed safely, engineers create health and safety plans for each project. The safety plan outlines procedures in the event of an emergency. Workers may be required to test the air at the site to make sure harmful vapors are not present.

Environmental engineers also evaluate the impact an activity will have on the environment. For example, if a shopping mall is to be built on farmland, they will write an environmental impact statement. They look at how the new shopping mall will affect the area's water and air.

Related careers

This career is part of the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Agricultural Engineers
• Architectural and Engineering Managers
• Chemical Engineers
• Civil Engineers
• Climate Change Analysts
• Environmental Engineering Technicians
• Environmental Scientists
• Geologists and Geophysicists
• Geospatial Information Scientists and Technologists
• Mining Engineers
• Natural Sciences Managers
• Petroleum Engineers

Military careers

• Environmental Health and Safety Officers
• Industrial Engineers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to environmental engineers.

• Write and review environmental reports.
• Work with scientists, government regulators, and clients to solve environmental problems.
• Manage and coordinate environmental projects and programs.
• Create project budgets and track costs.
• Develop site health and safety plans that workers follow.
• Design equipment or methods used to improve environmental conditions of soil, air, or water.
• Perform field work, such as sample collection, surveying, and monitoring.
• Help organizations find ways to clean up contaminated sites and protect people and the environment. Give public reports on the status of these projects.
• Inspect industrial and government facilities. Check that facilities operate efficiently and follow environmental regulations.
• Monitor progress of environmental improvement programs. Set up remote controlled equipment to collect data.
• Obtain and update plans, permits, and operating procedures. Prepare required paperwork for waste disposal.
• Read and understand environmental rules. Help organizations understand the impact and the importance of the rules.
• Assess the environmental impact of activities on air, water, and land. Write articles for the web about these issues.
• Attend conferences and seminars to stay current on methods and technology.

Common work activities

Environmental engineers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Analyze data or information
• Evaluate information against standards
• Get information needed to do the job
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Use computers
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Process information
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Document and record information
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Think creatively
• Develop and build teams
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Schedule work and activities
• Coach others
• Develop goals and strategies
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Provide information or drawings about devices, equipment, or structures
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Monitor and control resources
• Teach others
• Perform for or work with the public
• Perform administrative tasks

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, environmental engineers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a moderately high level of social interaction. They spend most of their time working with others, but also work alone when planning and writing reports.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of people working on their projects.
• Are responsible for the work outcomes of workers they assign to tasks.
• Are sometimes placed in conflict situations.
• Work as part of a team. This is very important because they coordinate the activities of many people.
• Communicate with clients and coworkers daily by telephone, e-mail, and in person.
• Write letters and memos daily.

Physical work conditions

• Mostly work indoors. Some indoor work sites may not be temperature-controlled.
• Sometimes wear protective gear when making site visits.
• Sometimes travel to and from work sites in an enclosed vehicle such as a car, truck, or van.
• Are occasionally exposed to contaminants.

Work performance

• Are accurate in performing their job. This is very important because they must follow guidelines and make sure procedures and standards are met.
• Meet strict deadlines weekly.
• Rarely consult a supervisor before setting tasks and goals.
• Repeat the same physical or mental activities. They may need to work at the computer all day writing. They may also do repetitive tasks in the field, such as sampling.
• Can make most decisions without talking to a supervisor.
• Often make decisions that strongly impact their company, coworkers, and clients.

Hours/travel

• Work more than 40 hours per week.
• May travel to conferences or sites.
• Must meet strict weekly deadlines.

Physical demands

Environmental engineers frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for environmental engineers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for environmental engineers to be able to:

• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Determine the distance between objects.

Skills and abilities

Environmental engineers need to:

Communicate

• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
• Make sense of information that seems without meaning or organization.

Use math and science

• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.
• Use math skills to solve problems.
• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.
• Use scientific methods to solve problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Teach others how to do something.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Look for ways to help people.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Environmental Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering

Other programs of study to consider

• Civil Engineering
• Engineering, General
• Environmental Science
• Environmental Studies
• Geological and Geophysical Engineering
• Pre-Engineering

Training

#3/5/19 lh

To work as an environmental engineer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have at least a bachelor's degree; and
• have a license.

Education after high school

Environmental engineers need at least a bachelor's degree in civil, mechanical, or chemical engineering. Most universities offer a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. Some colleges and universities also offer engineering programs with an emphasis on environmental systems and design. Engineering programs take four to five years to complete.

Work experience

You should consider participating in an internship with an engineering firm while you are in college. An internship is usually part of a four-year degree program. It offers you a chance to apply what you have learned in the classroom to a work situation. It also allows you to build skills and make contacts with people in the field.

Many engineering companies have their own testing labs. They often need extra help during the summer when construction activities are at a peak. Getting a summer job in an "in house" laboratory is a good way to gain experience and make contacts.

On-the-job training

Employers usually provide training for employees working with and around environmental contaminants. Many states require environmental workers to be certified. Certification courses usually take place during a 40-hour training week. You learn about chemical exposure risks and ways to prevent injuries. You may also receive first aid training. The length of training varies by employer, but usually lasts less than a year.

Some environmental engineers may also receive additional training in the use of special equipment.

Military training

The military does not provide initial training in this field. However, the military may provide work experience to environmental engineering graduates.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum  may be different from your state's graduation requirements . Engineers use math and science frequently. Try to take math classes through Trigonometry and science classes through Physics.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Computer Applications
• Geology
• Natural Resources Management
• Probability and Statistics

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers look for environmental engineers who have at least a bachelor's degree in engineering. They also look for applicants who are licensed engineers or who have taken the first test in the licensing process. Licensing requirements vary by state.

Some employers prefer to hire environmental engineers that have taken environmental courses. They may also look for applicants with a master's degree.

Employers prefer to hire environmental engineers who are creative and analytical. They look for people who can solve problems and work with abstract ideas. Oral and written communication skills are also important. Employers look for people who can work as part of a team. Employers also prefer environmental engineers who have strong computer skills.

Employers also seek people with the ability to keep time commitments and who can work on multiple projects at the same time.

Costs to workers

Some may wish to join a professional association, which may have annual dues. Workers may have to pay for continuing education classes to keep up with changes in the field.

Licensing/certification

Engineers employed in responsible positions in government or in firms offering services to the public, or who stamp their work as being done by an engineer, must be licensed by the Washington State Department of Licensing.

Getting a license as an engineer-in-training requires:

• an engineering degree from a school approved by the Accrediting Board for Engineering Technology (ABET), or four years of practice in engineering working under a licensed engineer, or a combination of education and work experience; and
• passing a written exam.

Professional engineer licensing requirements include:

• completion of the engineer-in-training requirements, and
• four additional years of active practice in engineering working under a licensed engineer or a combination of work experience and education; and
• passing a written exam.

Engineers who want to be licensed must pay an exam fee to the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors and a $65 fee for the initial state exam application. The state licence renewal fee is $116 every two years. Not all industrial engineers must be licensed.

For information on testing, contact:

National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying 
PO Box 1686
Clemson, SC 29633-1686
800.250.3196

For licensing information, contact:

Washington State Department of Licensing
Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and
Land Surveyors Licensing Program 
PO Box 9025
Olympia, WA 98507-9025
360.664.1575

Licensing requirements vary from state to state. People who want to work in another state should find out what that state requires.

#No change to licensing info 4/5/16, 3/27/18 cj. updated exam statement 3/5/19 lh

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Environmental Engineers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Earnings vary based on the engineer's level of education. Those with advanced degrees usually earn higher wages. Wages also vary by area of the country.

Benefits vary by employer. Most full-time engineers receive benefits such as paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Government employees usually also receive a retirement plan.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Engineering firms
• Environmental consulting firms
• Federal, state, and local government agencies

National outlook

Demand will be good for environmental engineers as more efforts are put into conserving water resources and wastewater treatment. Demand also increases as more funding is put into cleaning up sites that are contaminated.

New concerns about chemicals put into the water as a result of shale gas drilling will create more jobs for environmental engineers. Job prospects are best for people with advanced degrees. Job openings will also occur as people retire.

Other resources

Air and Waste Management Association 
Koppers Building
436 Seventh Avenue, Suite 2100
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
800.270.3444
412.232.3444

American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists 
147 Old Solomons Island Road, Suite 303
Annapolis, MD 21401
410.266.3311

American Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) 
(This website provides a list of engineering-related programs accredited by ABET)
415 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410.347.7700

American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers 
1800 M Street, NW Suite 900 North
Washington, DC 20036
202.457.0480

Discover Engineering 

eGFI - Dream Up the Future 

Engineer Girl! 
National Academy of Engineering

Environmental & Engineering Geophysical Society 
1391 Speer Blvd., Ste 450
Denver, CO 80204
303.531.7517

Environmental Career Center 
P.O. Box 3387
Hampton, Virginia 23663

Environmental Council of the States 
1250 H Street NW, Suite 850
Washington, DC 20005

Environmental Protection Agency 
Park Place Building
1200 - 6th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101

Environmental Technology Council 
1112 - 16th Street, Suite 420
Washington, DC 20036
202.783.0870

National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering 

National Association of Environmental Professionals 
2150 N 107th St, Suite 205
Seattle WA 98133

National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying 
280 Seneca Creek Road
Seneca, SC 29678

National Ground Water Association 
601 Dempsey Road
Westerville, OH 43081
800.551.7379

National Society of Professional Engineers 
1420 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
888.285.6773
703.684.2800

Profiles in Ocean Careers 

Society for Ecological Restoration 
1133 15th St. NW, Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20005

Society of Women Engineers 
130 East Randolph Street, Suite 3500
Chicago, IL 60601
877.793.4636

SWANA-Solid Waste Association of North America 
1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 650
Silver Spring, MD 20910
800.467.9262

Technology Student Association 
1904 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191-1540
888.860.9010

United States Environmental Protection Agency 

Washington Business Week 
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

Washington State Science & Engineering Fair 

Water Environment Federation 
601 Wythe Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
800.666.0206

References

Career cluster

• Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

Career path

• Investigative (Science)

O*Net  occupation

• Environmental Engineers (17-2081.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

DOT occupations

• Industrial-health Engineer (012.167-034) 
• Pollution-control Engineer (019.081-018) 
• Project Engineer (019.167-014) 
• Sanitary Engineer (005.061-030) 
• Waste-management Engineer, Radioactive Materials (005.061-042) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Engineer

Holland occupational cluster

• Investigative/Realistic/Conventional

COPSystem

• Technology Professional