Environmental Engineer

I. JOB SUMMARY

Main Topic: Environment and Society
Secondary Topic: Physical Geography

Overview: Environmental engineers use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, chemistry, and geography to develop solutions to environmental problems. They work to improve recycling, waste disposal, public health, and water and air pollution control. They also address global issues, such as unsafe drinking water, climate change, and environmental sustainability. Environmental engineers conduct hazardous-waste management studies in which they evaluate the significance of a hazard and advise on treating and containing it. They also design systems for municipal and industrial water supplies and industrial wastewater treatment and research the environmental impact of proposed construction projects. Some environmental engineers study ways to minimize the effects of acid rain, climate change, automobile emissions, and ozone depletion. They also collaborate with environmental scientists, urban and regional planners, hazardous-waste technicians, and other engineers, as well as with specialists such as experts in law and business, to address environmental problems and environmental sustainability. Environmental engineers have a strong relationship to geographical concepts and methods, both in practical design of systems and in their relationship to broader societal, economic, and environmental impact.

Geographers at work: Environmental geographers, urban planners, climatologists

Recommended College Courses: Environmental geography, natural resource use and management, climatology, air and water quality, physical geography, planning, cartography, human geography, geographic information science, remote sensing, surveying

Skills: Environmental mapping and modeling, understanding and assessment of physical features (soils, topography, hydrology); map reading and interpretation; computer and database systems; spatial analysis; critical thinking; teamwork

Occupation Group: Architecture and Engineering

Learn more about Environmental Engineer from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/environmental-engineers.htm#tab-1