Environmental Engineering Job Description – What Are Their Duties

The activities of humans all over the world have resulted in a lot of harmful effects on the environment in which we live in. There are many reports of the ozone layer being depleted lately, pollutants interfering with agricultural products and aquatic life, and also a decline in human health due to the presence of toxic substances present in the air.

What this implies is the need for experts to carry out extensive research and study some of these devastating effects while also proferring solutions to the existing problems.

Environmental engineers also work alongside other environmental experts in proffering lasting solutions to some of the processes which led to the contamination of our environment.

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Job Profile For Environmental Engineers

As an Environmental Engineer, your work revolves around studying and evaluating the level of damage caused in the environment due to human activity. This evaluation and research typically examines the following areas;

  • Waste disposal and management
  • Land Reclamation especially land damaged by industrial activities, urban sprawl, and construction projects
  • How pollutants or Effluents from industries can be controlled to minimize their impact on the environment

Due to the nature of your job, you may be required to work outside the office with more working hours especially during a short time frame for a project. It is also advised that you put on adequate personal protective equipment especially when evaluating environments with harmful pollutants.

As an environmental expert, your work not only involves evaluation of various geographical locations, you would also be involved in implementing, developing, and providing technical solutions that can help reduce some of the negative impacts of organizations on the environment.

Job Description Of Environmental Engineers

As an Environmental Engineer, your daily activities and responsibilities would include;
  • Obtain data from designated environments
  • Make recommendations that can be used to maintain and improve environmental conditions in the areas where data was obtained
  • Check environmental regulations in the state and ensure your organization operates in compliance with their rules
  • Review stormwater management practices for municipal, industrial, and construction stormwater programs
  •  Report incidents on-site to the appropriate department within your organization
  • Ensure all processes are regulatory compliant and prepared for any external regulatory inspection
  •  compile appropriate data and documents that can be used in obtaining or renewal of environmental permit applications

What Skill Should I Have As An Environmental Engineer?

Some of the relevant skills required of you as an environmental engineer includes;

  •  Problem-solving skills
  • Creative thinking and decision making skills
  • Good eye for details
  • Research and writing skills
  • Knowledge of relevant systems and processes
  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Project management
  •  Teamwork
  • Time management and Positive mental attitude

Who Are The Employers Of Environmental Engineers?

Environmental engineers can enjoy wonderful careers in the following sectors;

  •  Oil and Gas industries
  • Engineering Consulting firms
  • Ministries of agriculture; Land and property development (state and federal)
  • Environmental Agencies
  • Construction companies
  • Manufacturing Industries

What Steps Can I Take To Become An Environmental Engineer?

Having a degree in environmental engineering, civil or chemical engineering with relevant certification from appropriate professional bodies in the state where you would love to work is very important to landing entry-level jobs.

Also, most senior positions would require that you have a master’s degree with relevant years of experience. You should also demonstrate that you can use the following tools ;

  • Environmental engineering software (MATLAB, ArcMap/qGIS )
  • Air samplers or collectors
  • Air velocity and temperature monitors
  • Water samplers

Knowing how to use these tools can be either from volunteering, internships, and self-learning during breaks from school.

 

 

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