Take nothing but pictures.
Leave nothing but footprints.
Kill nothing but time.
~Motto of the Baltimore Grotto, a caving society
It’s hard to avoid the word “green” these days. From policies to programs, it seems that green is cool—and red hot. Green is often used as a synonym for environmental or ecological, especially as it relates to products and activities aimed at minimizing damage to our planet. Scientists and engineers have long had important roles in the environmental movement. Their expertise is focused on a variety of issues, including increasing energy efficiency, improving air and water quality, and sustaining natural resources. And, with interest in such projects growing, there should be additional opportunities for these scientists and engineers in the future.
This blog describes the job duties, employment, outlook, wages, and training requirements for conservation scientists, environmental engineers, environmental scientists, and hydrologists. Conservation scientists, environmental scientists, environmental engineers, and hydrologists are among the workers who apply their specialized knowledge to a variety of environmental issues. This specialized knowledge comes from college study in math and sciences, including biology, chemistry, geography, and statistics. In addition, good communications skills are essential for writing reports and sharing project results with employers, colleagues, or the public.
These workers gather and analyze information to create solutions to the problems they study. Conservation scientists usually work independently, but environmental engineers, environmental scientists, and hydrologists are often part of a team.
Conservation scientists
Conservation scientists develop strategies to help manage, improve, and protect the Earth’s resources. To devise these protective strategies, conservation scientists often collect samples of soil, water, and plants, as well as record data on plant and animal life. After they have analyzed the samples and data, these workers create a conservation plan. Their plan offers strategies for optimizing resources while minimizing damage to the surrounding environment.
There are several types of conservation scientists, and they often have different job titles. One of the most common types is range manager. These workers study and care for rangelands—the open expanses of land located primarily in the Western States and Alaska that contain natural resources, such as wildlife habitats, watersheds, and mineral and energy sources. Another type of conservation scientist is soil and water conservationist. These workers study soil and water conditions and offer advice about maintaining or improving the quality of these and related resources. Soil conservationists help identify causes of soil erosion and develop plans to correct them.
Conservation scientists held about 15,800 jobs in May 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Federal, State, and local governments employed nearly 75 percent of these workers. Other conservation scientists are employed by social advocacy groups, including nonprofit organizations, and by consulting firms. A small portion is self-employed.
The mean annual wages of conservation scientists in May 2008 were $60,170, according to BLS. Mean wages were $69,090 for conservation scientists in the Federal Government and $51,520 in local government. (BLS does not have wage data for these workers in State government.) Those employed by social advocacy groups had mean wages of $54,540; those employed in management, scientific, and technical consulting services had mean wages of $55,320.
Environmental engineers
Environmental engineers develop methods, systems, and products to prevent or repair environmental harm. Environmental engineers may specialize in the types of problems they solve. Some assess the likely impact of different projects on air and water quality, animal habitats, and other aspects of the natural and human environment and then devise ways to avoid or minimize harm. Others study watersheds and other natural water systems and develop processes, policies, and machinery for maintaining and supplying clean water to the public. Still others develop wastewater treatment or other systems to control or reduce problems associated with disposal of pollutants.
Environmental engineers held about 52,590 jobs in May 2008, according to BLS. About 30 percent worked for Federal, State, or local governments. An additional 30 percent worked for engineering services firms. The remaining environmental engineers were employed by management, scientific, and technical consulting services; scientific research and were $77,970. Environmental engineers who worked for the Federal Government had mean wages of $92,750. State government workers had mean wages of $65,320, and local government workers had mean wages of $66,510. Workers employed by engineering services firms had mean annual wages of $80,450.
Environmental scientists
Environmental scientists conduct research to help identify and lessen environmental hazards that affect both humans and wildlife. This research involves collecting and analyzing samples of air, food, water, and soil to determine the state of the environment. Using their skills and training, these scientists attempt to solve problems ranging from reduction of carbon dioxide emissions to preventing the loss of habitats to monitoring waste disposal. After environmental scientists identify a problem, they come up with ways to reduce or eliminate its negative effects.
In May 2008, according to BLS, environmental scientists and specialists, including health, held about 80,100 jobs. About 45 percent of environmental scientists worked for Federal, State, and local governments. BLS data show that in May 2008, the mean annual wages for environmental scientists were $65,280. Mean wages were $58,040 for these scientists in local government; $70,450 in management, scientific, and technical consulting services; and $63,990 in engineering services.
Hydrologists
Hydrologists find ways to optimize our use of water, protect it from contamination, and improve water sources that have been damaged or polluted. Their work helps ensure easy access to safe water for households, businesses, crop irrigation, power generation, and more.
Hydrologists study the quality, quantity, location, and movement of water. They follow water as it travels through rivers, estuaries, and streams; as it seeps into the ground; and as it evaporates into the atmosphere and returns to Earth as precipitation. Hydrologists typically split their time between the office and the outdoors, frequently traveling to field sites and working in all types of weather, climates, and terrain.
Hydrologists held about 7,600 jobs in May 2008, according to BLS. Federal, State, and local governments employed about half of these workers. In May 2008, according to BLS, hydrologists had mean annual wages of $73,540. Those in architectural, engineering, and related services had mean wages of $75,830; workers in management, scientific, and technical consulting services had mean wages of $74,760. Hydrologists employed by the Federal Government had mean wages of $78,470.
Get general information about environmental careers from the Green Careers Center, formerly the Environmental Career Center. Its employment resources include information about training and degree programs, workshops, and environmental associations. Contact the career center at:
Green Careers Center
2 Eaton St., Suite 711
Hampton, VA 23669
Toll-free: 1 (800) 745–0639
(757) 727–7895
eccinfo@environmentalcareer.com
http://www.environmentalcareer.com/
For online listings of green jobs, searchable by sector (such as climate change or renewable energy), city, or State, visit the Green Jobs Network at http://www.greenjobs.net/.
To learn more about the occupations featured in this blog, contact the professional association of the ones that interest you.
For information about conservation scientists, contact:
Society for Range Management
10030 W. 27th Ave.
Wheat Ridge, CO 80215
(303) 986–3309
srmweb@rangelands.org
www.rangelands.org/srm.shtml
For information about environmental scientists, contact:
American Geological Institute
4220 King St.
Alexandria, VA 22302
(703) 379–2480
http://www.agiweb.org/
For information about environmental engineers, contact:
American Academy of
Environmental Engineers
130 Holiday Ct., Suite 100
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 266–3311
info@aaee.net
http://www.aaee.net/
For information about hydrologists, contact:
American Institute of Hydrology
Engineering D—Mail Code 6603
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
1230 Lincoln Dr.
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 453–7809
http://www.aihydrology.org/
For additional information about careers in the federal government visit http://www.dreamfedjob.com/
Leave nothing but footprints.
Kill nothing but time.
~Motto of the Baltimore Grotto, a caving society
It’s hard to avoid the word “green” these days. From policies to programs, it seems that green is cool—and red hot. Green is often used as a synonym for environmental or ecological, especially as it relates to products and activities aimed at minimizing damage to our planet. Scientists and engineers have long had important roles in the environmental movement. Their expertise is focused on a variety of issues, including increasing energy efficiency, improving air and water quality, and sustaining natural resources. And, with interest in such projects growing, there should be additional opportunities for these scientists and engineers in the future.
This blog describes the job duties, employment, outlook, wages, and training requirements for conservation scientists, environmental engineers, environmental scientists, and hydrologists. Conservation scientists, environmental scientists, environmental engineers, and hydrologists are among the workers who apply their specialized knowledge to a variety of environmental issues. This specialized knowledge comes from college study in math and sciences, including biology, chemistry, geography, and statistics. In addition, good communications skills are essential for writing reports and sharing project results with employers, colleagues, or the public.
These workers gather and analyze information to create solutions to the problems they study. Conservation scientists usually work independently, but environmental engineers, environmental scientists, and hydrologists are often part of a team.
Conservation scientists
Conservation scientists develop strategies to help manage, improve, and protect the Earth’s resources. To devise these protective strategies, conservation scientists often collect samples of soil, water, and plants, as well as record data on plant and animal life. After they have analyzed the samples and data, these workers create a conservation plan. Their plan offers strategies for optimizing resources while minimizing damage to the surrounding environment.
There are several types of conservation scientists, and they often have different job titles. One of the most common types is range manager. These workers study and care for rangelands—the open expanses of land located primarily in the Western States and Alaska that contain natural resources, such as wildlife habitats, watersheds, and mineral and energy sources. Another type of conservation scientist is soil and water conservationist. These workers study soil and water conditions and offer advice about maintaining or improving the quality of these and related resources. Soil conservationists help identify causes of soil erosion and develop plans to correct them.
Conservation scientists held about 15,800 jobs in May 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Federal, State, and local governments employed nearly 75 percent of these workers. Other conservation scientists are employed by social advocacy groups, including nonprofit organizations, and by consulting firms. A small portion is self-employed.
The mean annual wages of conservation scientists in May 2008 were $60,170, according to BLS. Mean wages were $69,090 for conservation scientists in the Federal Government and $51,520 in local government. (BLS does not have wage data for these workers in State government.) Those employed by social advocacy groups had mean wages of $54,540; those employed in management, scientific, and technical consulting services had mean wages of $55,320.
Environmental engineers
Environmental engineers develop methods, systems, and products to prevent or repair environmental harm. Environmental engineers may specialize in the types of problems they solve. Some assess the likely impact of different projects on air and water quality, animal habitats, and other aspects of the natural and human environment and then devise ways to avoid or minimize harm. Others study watersheds and other natural water systems and develop processes, policies, and machinery for maintaining and supplying clean water to the public. Still others develop wastewater treatment or other systems to control or reduce problems associated with disposal of pollutants.
Environmental engineers held about 52,590 jobs in May 2008, according to BLS. About 30 percent worked for Federal, State, or local governments. An additional 30 percent worked for engineering services firms. The remaining environmental engineers were employed by management, scientific, and technical consulting services; scientific research and were $77,970. Environmental engineers who worked for the Federal Government had mean wages of $92,750. State government workers had mean wages of $65,320, and local government workers had mean wages of $66,510. Workers employed by engineering services firms had mean annual wages of $80,450.
Environmental scientists
Environmental scientists conduct research to help identify and lessen environmental hazards that affect both humans and wildlife. This research involves collecting and analyzing samples of air, food, water, and soil to determine the state of the environment. Using their skills and training, these scientists attempt to solve problems ranging from reduction of carbon dioxide emissions to preventing the loss of habitats to monitoring waste disposal. After environmental scientists identify a problem, they come up with ways to reduce or eliminate its negative effects.
In May 2008, according to BLS, environmental scientists and specialists, including health, held about 80,100 jobs. About 45 percent of environmental scientists worked for Federal, State, and local governments. BLS data show that in May 2008, the mean annual wages for environmental scientists were $65,280. Mean wages were $58,040 for these scientists in local government; $70,450 in management, scientific, and technical consulting services; and $63,990 in engineering services.
Hydrologists
Hydrologists find ways to optimize our use of water, protect it from contamination, and improve water sources that have been damaged or polluted. Their work helps ensure easy access to safe water for households, businesses, crop irrigation, power generation, and more.
Hydrologists study the quality, quantity, location, and movement of water. They follow water as it travels through rivers, estuaries, and streams; as it seeps into the ground; and as it evaporates into the atmosphere and returns to Earth as precipitation. Hydrologists typically split their time between the office and the outdoors, frequently traveling to field sites and working in all types of weather, climates, and terrain.
Hydrologists held about 7,600 jobs in May 2008, according to BLS. Federal, State, and local governments employed about half of these workers. In May 2008, according to BLS, hydrologists had mean annual wages of $73,540. Those in architectural, engineering, and related services had mean wages of $75,830; workers in management, scientific, and technical consulting services had mean wages of $74,760. Hydrologists employed by the Federal Government had mean wages of $78,470.
Get general information about environmental careers from the Green Careers Center, formerly the Environmental Career Center. Its employment resources include information about training and degree programs, workshops, and environmental associations. Contact the career center at:
Green Careers Center
2 Eaton St., Suite 711
Hampton, VA 23669
Toll-free: 1 (800) 745–0639
(757) 727–7895
eccinfo@environmentalcareer.com
http://www.environmentalcareer.com/
For online listings of green jobs, searchable by sector (such as climate change or renewable energy), city, or State, visit the Green Jobs Network at http://www.greenjobs.net/.
To learn more about the occupations featured in this blog, contact the professional association of the ones that interest you.
For information about conservation scientists, contact:
Society for Range Management
10030 W. 27th Ave.
Wheat Ridge, CO 80215
(303) 986–3309
srmweb@rangelands.org
www.rangelands.org/srm.shtml
For information about environmental scientists, contact:
American Geological Institute
4220 King St.
Alexandria, VA 22302
(703) 379–2480
http://www.agiweb.org/
For information about environmental engineers, contact:
American Academy of
Environmental Engineers
130 Holiday Ct., Suite 100
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 266–3311
info@aaee.net
http://www.aaee.net/
For information about hydrologists, contact:
American Institute of Hydrology
Engineering D—Mail Code 6603
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
1230 Lincoln Dr.
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 453–7809
http://www.aihydrology.org/
For additional information about careers in the federal government visit http://www.dreamfedjob.com/
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