Environmental engineering advances are being sought as concerns about global warming and the impact of environmental toxins on human health continue to grow. Indeed, the demand for and scope of various environmental engineering jobs has risen dramatically over the last few decades. Environmental engineering is primarily concerned with preserving public health and safety by addressing issues such as hazardous waste management, recycling, and air and water pollution. Of course, all jobs in environmental engineering deal with the impact of these issues on the environment, as well as wildlife preservation.
Many types of environmental engineering jobs allow you to specialize in a variety of fields. For example, many environmental engineers work in government, where they are responsible for designing new measures and evaluating existing systems to contain and treat industrial and municipal wastewater. A number of positions in environmental engineering, on the other hand, allow you to work as an advisor or consultant. Some engineers, for example, specialize in conducting impact studies and quality control analyses to determine the environmental consequences of new construction projects. Environmental engineering jobs are closely aligned with aspects of civil engineering, whereas wastewater separation and treatment incorporates chemical engineering principles.
While many environmental engineering jobs are focused on a specific location or region, others aim to address global environmental challenges. Many engineers, for example, focus their talents on analyzing the effects of global warming and devising novel ways to mitigate them. Engineers working on the global implications of this issue are often experts in specific environmental hazards like acid rain, deforestation, or industrial pollution. They could also help with soil and waterway remediation to improve the potential for human habitation and wildlife restoration.
Some environmental engineers assist in the development and enforcement of environmental regulations. In fact, some people combine their engineering and chemistry knowledge with a formal legal education. These engineers have a law degree in addition to an engineering degree. Furthermore, these types of environmental engineering jobs necessitate both a legal bar admission and an engineering license.
Regardless of specialization, all aspects of environmental engineering require the application of a diverse set of skills. It is unquestionably necessary to have a working knowledge of chemistry and civil or mechanical engineering principles. Some environmental engineering jobs, however, necessitate additional training and knowledge in biology, geology, ecology, geography, and agricultural engineering. Furthermore, most environmental engineers must be knowledgeable about current public health laws and regulations.