An Environmental Engineer is a professional who applies principles of engineering, biology, chemistry, and soil science to develop solutions to environmental problems. They play a crucial role in preserving and protecting the natural environment while promoting sustainable development practices. In this blog post, we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Environmental Engineers.

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Main Responsibilities of an Environmental Engineer

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an Environmental Engineer:

Analyze

• Analyze, compily and document field data in tables, figures and logs.

• Analyze data to evaluate environmental risks.

Apply

Apply company quality assurance requirements to all certification products, reports, and reviews.

Assess

• Assess the environmental sustainability of construction projects.

• Assess water quality and recommend remediation techniques.

Assist in

• Assist and coordinate with key staff across disciplines, as required.

• Assist and support design teams in the execution of projects.

• Assist in business development efforts with potential clients.

• Assist in performing geotechnical design / analysis and developing geotechnical recommendations.

• Assist in the development and maintenance of client relationships.

• Assist with environmental permit applications.

• Assist with evaluation of subsurface geotechnical and environmental data.

• Assist with the review and approval of waste acceptance applications.

Check

Check the Education section above to see what is allowed and what is required.

Clean

Clean agent fire detection / suppression systems.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate with climate scientists on projects.

• Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World.

• Collaborate with policymakers on environmental regulations.

Collect

• Collect data to support of environmental permits.

• Collect EHS samples and submit them to an authorized testing laboratory for analysis.

Comply with

Comply with all Orano health, safety and environmental policies, practices and procedures.

Conduct

• Conduct environmental education and outreach programs.

• Conduct environmental impact assessments.

• Conduct environmental modeling and simulations.

• Conduct life cycle assessments of products and processes.

• Conduct risk assessments for environmental hazards.

• Conduct site investigations to assess environmental contamination.

• Conduct SPCC and Air environmental inspections and summarize in a monthly KPI reports.

• Conduct technical peer reviews of environmental reports.

• Conduct technical reviews of geo-environmental reports.

Coordinate

• Coordinate and support environmental implementation of projects and programs.

• Coordinate Environmental Certification in accordance with the Certification Plan.

• Coordinate subcontractor work including scheduling of field activities and procurement of bids.

• Coordinate, supervise and perform research and field responsibilities.

• Coordinate with clients, regulatory personnel and subcontractors.

Co-Present

Co-Present and communicate technical reports and documents to clients, regulators, and peers.

Design

• Design and implement environmental remediation projects.

• Design green infrastructure projects.

• Design stormwater management systems.

• Design strategies for noise pollution control.

• Design support, collection of environmental media samples, and associated reporting.

• Design systems for hazardous waste disposal.

• Design systems for wastewater treatment.

Develop

• Develop and implement strategies to address permitting, compliance and remediation issues.

• Develop and present technical summary reports.

• Develop and submit regular reports to government agencies.

• Develop compliance programs.

• Develop environmental management plans for industries.

• Develop erosion and sediment control plans.

• Develop innovation partnerships.

• Develop outline and conducts internal training of employees in appropriate EHS areas.

• Develop plans for air pollution control.

• Develop regulatory guidance documents and model programs.

• Develop solutions with senior personnel for complex design programs.

• Develop strategies for energy conservation.

• Develop subcontractor environmental requirements.

• Develop the Environmental aspects of the Safety and Environmental Management Plan.

• Develop the Environmental Case in accordance with the Safety and Environmental Management Plan.

Document

Document and record data and observations in a clear and organized manner.

Drive

Drive site team and sub-contractors to achieve Annual Recycle rate.

Ensure

• Ensure sustainable operations with no unscheduled customer impacting outages.

• Ensure that firm policies and practices are followed on all designs.

Evaluate

• Evaluate the effectiveness of pollution control measures.

• Evaluate the environmental impact of renewable energy systems.

• Evaluate the impact and resolution of mishaps and other system safety violations.

Follow

Follow established escalation procedures and incident reporting procedures.

Generate

Generate environmental plans.

Help

Help develop safety, emergency, spill, stormwater and other site operating plans.

Identify

Identify and develop new methods and innovation to maximize use of resources.

Implement

• Implement environmental sampling plans.

• Implement measures for biodiversity conservation.

• Implement pollution prevention programs.

• Implement strategies for solid waste management.

Interact with

• Interact with Corporate contacts and Contractors with management oversight.

• Interact with EHS consultants in performance of EHS.

• Interact with EPA agencies.

Interpret

Interpret regulations affecting a specific area.

Investigate

Investigate environmental incidents and accidents.

Keep

Keep abreast of changing regulatory federal and / or state laws.

Lead

Lead and / or participate on corporate environment audits.

Learn

Learn and work within in our Environmental, Health and Safety data management programs.

Liaise with

Liaise with clients, contractors and government regulators.

Maintain

• Maintain and develop existing client relationships.

• Maintain awareness of new regulations.

• Maintain full compliance with regulatory, permit or license requirements.

• Maintain knowledge of basic principles and legal requirements relative to EHS.

• Maintain positive team relationships.

• Maintain project management tools for project tracking, billing, and revenue forecast projections.

• Maintain records and information databases.

• Maintain required EHS reference materials at the facility.

Make

• Make complex, cutting-edge ideas understandable and exciting to utility managers and clients.

• Make engineering calculations using standard formulas and computer software.

Manage

Manage all facility activities related to environmental issues and compliance.

Meet with

Meet with regulatory agencies as needed.

Mentor

Mentor junior level staff.

Monitor

Monitor compliance with environmental regulations.

Oversee

Oversee environmental compliance programs and sustainability initiatives.

Participate in

• Participate and evaluate on site due diligence matters with regard to environmental liability.

• Participate in enforcement activities as directed by senior enforcement officer or supervisor.

• Participate in project management meetings, office meetings, health and safety inspections.

Perform

Perform water quality analyses and modeling.

Plan

• Plan and conduct Environmental Hazard / Impact assessments.

• Plan and deliver high quality reports.

Preform

Preform environmental audits to ensure clients are complying to regulatory guidelines.

Prepare

• Prepare and deliver Phase I & Phase II ESAs.

• Prepare and review work products.

• Prepare internal and external EHS documents and reports as required by compliance requirements.

• Prepare proposals and qualification packages.

• Prepare reports and assists with proposal submissions.

• Prepare reports and assist with proposal preparation for review by a Senior professional.

Present

Present optimization concepts to utility managers and clients.

Promote

• Promote and support Operational Excellence and OE culture.

• Promote a positive Product Safety and Environmental Culture within the Project.

Provide

• Provide assistance to solve operating, design and compliance challenges at company facilities.

• Provide ENVISO support, wildlife and plant management and any other environmental related activities.

• Provide expert testimony in environmental litigation cases.

• Provide general and technical department support as required.

• Provide leadership to negotiate permits with regulatory agencies.

• Provide Senior Technical review on regulatory and environmental monitoring and closure reports.

• Provide support for environmental projects at various industrial sites.

• Provide technical and project support to internal and external project teams.

• Provide technical assistance on analytical methods, sampling techniques, etc..

• Provide technical support for environmental compliance audits.

Report

• Report any issues or concerns back to EHS Manager / Account Director.

• Report any issues or concerns back to Senior Management.

Represent

Represent the company in community events, conferences.

Respond to

Respond to requests for proposals and develop strong client relationships.

Review

• Review and interprets results of analysis appropriate action to take if risk areas exist.

• Review draft designs and reports for compliance with federal, state and local regulations.

• Review monitoring, construction, and operating reports.

• Review proposed capital and expense projects for permitting requirements.

• Review various technical reports.

Select

Select the country where you are applying for employment, and review.

Serve

Serve in a field support role, working on some interesting and technically-challenging projects.

Stay updated on

Stay updated on emerging environmental technologies and trends.

Supervise

• Supervise EWMC Sampling Group including Engineering Technologists.

• Supervise force responsible for maintenance of SIMS equipment.

Support

• Support a culture of collaboration, enthusiasm and a proactive nature within the Project.

• Support business development and project management.

• Support compliance monitoring activities.

• Support senior team members with permitting activities.

• Support the implementation and monitoring of disaster recovery and business continuity plans.

• Support the overall implementation of the environmental management program.

Train

Train / mentor junior staff.

Travel

• Travel to and from UW-IT various data centers and communications facilities will be required.

• Travel to the mill, mine or project sites as required.

Trust

Trust determination process.

Undertake

Undertake Product / System Safety activities as directed by the Engineering Manager.

Update

Update design requirements as necessary.

Work

• Work equipment provided according to the season (boot, bib, helmet, gloves, etc.).

• Work with fabrication experts as part of a team.

• Work with team members to deliver projects on-time, on-budget, and on-scope.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of an Environmental Engineer:

1. Proficiency in environmental modeling software (e.g., HEC-RAS, AERMOD).

2. Knowledge of environmental regulations and compliance standards.

3. Expertise in water and wastewater treatment processes.

4. Understanding of soil and groundwater remediation techniques.

5. Familiarity with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software.

6. Skill in conducting environmental impact assessments.

7. Knowledge of air pollution control technologies.

8. Proficiency in environmental sampling and analysis methods.

9. Experience with environmental monitoring equipment.

10. Competence in environmental risk assessment methodologies.

11. Understanding of hydrology and hydraulics principles.

12. Knowledge of environmental chemistry and microbiology.

13. Skill in conducting environmental audits and inspections.

14. Familiarity with environmental management systems (e.g., ISO 14001).

15. Experience with environmental site assessments (Phase I and II).

16. Understanding of environmental laws and regulations (e.g., Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act).

17. Proficiency in AutoCAD or other drafting software.

18. Ability to interpret environmental data and scientific literature.

19. Knowledge of sustainable engineering principles.

20. Skill in conducting life cycle assessments (LCA).

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of an Environmental Engineer:

1. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

2. Effective communication skills for conveying technical information.

3. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

4. Attention to detail in data analysis and reporting.

5. Adaptability to changing project requirements and priorities.

6. Time management skills to meet project deadlines.

7. Critical thinking in evaluating environmental issues and solutions.

8. Leadership qualities for managing project teams.

9. Interpersonal skills for collaborating with stakeholders and clients.

10. Commitment to ethical and sustainable engineering practices.

Conclusion

Environmental Engineers play a vital role in addressing complex environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development practices. By possessing a combination of technical expertise and soft skills, they contribute to creating a healthier and more sustainable world for future generations.