Environmental engineers use engineering techniques, chemistry, statistics and soil science to assess the impact of processes on the environment and deliver solutions for environmental issues. They are also involved in pollution monitoring and control, recycling and waste disposal, energy production from waste, public health initiatives, and ensuring that companies comply with environmental policies.
Salary and Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a May 2018 median pay off $87,620 per year for environmental engineers. The typical entry-level education for the occupation is a bachelor's degree. The number of environmental engineering jobs were 55,400 in 2018, and the job market is expected to grow by 5% during the period from 2018 to 2028, resulting in an employment change of 2900 jobs.
Job Responsibilities
An environmental engineering job may include the following responsibilities:
biomass production units, air and water pollution control systems
Environmental engineers must have the skills to work with others on achieving a common objective. The environmental engineering job also requires good problem-solving skills. When designing processes and facilities, engineers have many things to deal with simultaneously. They must have the ability to find and anticipate issues, so they can protect the workers and the developments taking place under their supervision.
Besides communication and problem-solving skills, environmental engineers should also have a fertile imagination. As part of your work, you may be asked to envision how the designs of different parts of a structure or equipment work together.
Specializations
Environmental engineers specialize in various fields, including, but not limited to, the following:
Water Resources Engineering: The supply and treatment of water is one of the main specializations in environmental engineering. Wastewater treatment is the most traditional specialization in this sector. Wastewater treatment experts make sure that the treatment facilities have the right equipment and are following the proper procedures. Water resources engineers also work on projects related to wells, springs and innovative ways of supplying water to communities.
Alternative Energy: This is the field of environmental engineering that focuses on the development and maintenance of alternative energy sources such as biogas, solar and wind units energy units, and development of other efficient fuel methods. The engineers working in this field also help to maintain the equipment used for alternative energy production.
Solid Waste Management: Recycling and appropriate disposal of waste are two of the main areas in this specialization. The solid waste, such as municipal waste, maybe incinerated to generate electricity or it may be reused.
Ecological Engineering: The design and construction of ecosystems is the subject of this field. The engineer helps communities integrate better with their surrounding ecology.
Besides environmental engineering jobs, the field also has other jobs you can consider including, environmental engineering technician and environmental scientists. Technicians usually must have an associate degree in engineering technology. Environmental scientists usually have a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and certifications based on the area in which their work.
Education and Certifications
Environmental engineering jobs require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering or a related discipline, like civil engineering. While BLS says that you don't need experience or training for getting a job in the field, experience does count and so does becoming a licensed professional. The normal engineering degree programs are four years long, However, some colleges offer a five-year program leading to a bachelor’s and master’s degree.
The employer may also prefer that you have received a degree from an ABET-accredited program. ABET accreditation is generally a must for anyone who wants to be a licensed professional engineer (PE). To obtain a license, you normally require the following: graduate degree from program that has BET accreditation, pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, have environmental engineering related work experience, and pass the Professional Engineering (PE) exam.
In many states, you will have to take part in continuing education programs to keep your license. In terms of career advancement, some environmental engineers may go on to become supervisors of other engineers and even program managers.
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