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Job Definition
View MovieDesign, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental health hazards utilizing various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.
Job Zone

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

A bachelor's degree is the minimum formal education required for these occupations. However, many also require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Interests
Knowledge
Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Skills
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Tasks
Develop site-specific health and safety protocols, such as spill contingency plans and methods for loading and transporting waste.
Coordinate and manage environmental protection programs and projects, assigning and evaluating work.
Serve as liaison with federal, state, and local agencies and officials on issues pertaining to solid and hazardous waste program requirements.
Design systems, processes, and equipment for control, management, and remediation of water, air, and soil quality.
Prepare hazardous waste manifests and land disposal restriction notifications.
Serve on teams conducting multimedia inspections at complex facilities, providing assistance with planning, quality assurance, safety inspection protocols, and sampling.
Develop and present environmental compliance training or orientation sessions.
Maintain, write, and revise quality assurance documentation and procedures.
Develop, implement, and manage plans and programs related to conservation and management of natural resources.
Assess, sort, characterize, and pack known and unknown materials.
Request bids from suppliers or consultants.
Provide environmental engineering assistance in network analysis, regulatory analysis, and planning or reviewing database development.
Inspect industrial and municipal facilities and programs to evaluate operational effectiveness and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
Provide administrative support for projects by collecting data, providing project documentation, training staff, and performing other general administrative duties.
Develop proposed project objectives and targets, and report to management on progress in attaining them.
Wages

In 2008, the California average annual wage was $84,930.00.

Most people employed in this occupation were paid between $54,890.00 and $123,260.00.

Outlook

During 2006, there were approximately 4,800 people employed in this field in California. It is projected that there will be 6,000 employed in 2016. This occupation will have about 120 openings due to growth and about 140 replacement openings for approximately 260 total annual openings. This occupation .

Colleges and Training
Below are college programs that are generally associated with this occupation. To view colleges that offer these programs, click on the titles below.
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering - A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems for controlling contained living environments and for monitoring and controlling factors in the external natural environment, including pollution control, waste and hazardous material disposal, health and safety protection, conservation, life support, and requirements for protection of special materials and related work environments.
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