GEF

Unit 2  |  Humanity’s Ecological Footprint 50 CAREER FOCUS: ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER Education: Environmental engineers must have a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering or a related field, such as civil, chemical, or general engineering. To advance, they may need aMaster’s degree. Median Salary (2015): $84,560. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), environmental engineers use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems. They are involved in efforts 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. 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, 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. Typical job duties include: ■■ Preparing, reviewing, and updating environmental investigation reports. ■■ Designing projects that lead to environmental protection, such as water reclamation facilities, air pollution control systems, and operations that convert waste to energy. ■■ Obtaining, updating, and maintaining plans, permits, and standard operating procedures. ■■ Providing technical support for environmental remediation projects and for legal actions. ■■ Analyzing scientific data and performing quality-control checks. ■■ Monitoring the progress of environmental improvement programs. ■■ Inspecting industrial and municipal facilities and programs in order to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. ■■ Advising corporations and government agencies about procedures for cleaning up contaminated sites. For more information on this and other careers in Sustainability, go to bls.gov/oco/.