Environmental Careers

What do you do? Design schemes, programs and methods to design for future and present use of space and resources.
What can you be? A comprehensive planner, an air quality planner, aviation planner, building or zoning inspector, current planner, environmental planner, growth management planner, neighborhood planner, planning consultant, recreation planner, water resources planner, geographer, architectural historian, drafter, surveyor, or landscape architect.
Recommended Education college degree (four years) with advanced degree(s) in planning.

What do you do? Help people to appreciate and understand the natural world around them.
What can you be? A community affairs manager, community activist, environmental policy analyst, teacher, environmental journalist, an environmental advocate, interpretive naturalist, environmental trainer, eco-therapist, teacher in a public or private school, museum education staff member, or public information officer.
Recommended Education--college degree with a background in sciences and communication skills.

What do you do? Reduce the volume and toxicity of solid waste and manage the recycling and disposal of remaining waste material.
What can you be? A chemist, civil engineer, economist, environmental engineer, hydrologist, logistics expert, planner, recycling coordinator, solid waste manager, transportation specialist, incinerator operator (college degree not necessary), or a landfill operator (college degree not necessary).
Recommended Education--college degree (four years) with advanced degree in chemistry, engineering, or waste management.

What do you do? Identify hazardous waste, control the production, transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste, track it to ensure proper and regulated handling, reduce the use of hazardous materials, clean up hazardous spills and contaminated sites, and communicate with the public about hazardous waste and problems.
What can you be? A biologist, chemical engineer, chemist, civil engineer, environmental engineer, hazardous material specialist, hazardous waste engineer, environmental toxicologist, hazardous waste technician, hydrologist, industrial hygienist, lawyer, or process engineer.
Recommended Education--associate degree to advance degree with an emphasis in sciences or engineering.

What do you do? Ensure healthy air quality
What can you be? An air quality engineer, an air quality planner, analytical chemist, environmental quality analyst, meteorologist, risk assessment specialist, safety and health manager, toxicologist, industrial environmental manager, or a lab technician.
Recommended Education--two-year associate degree to advanced degree with a science background.

What do you do? Manage water quality for domestic or industrial purposes, irrigation, hydroelectricity power or for sustaining habitat for fish and wildlife.
What can you be? An aquatic ecologist, aquatic toxicologist, attorney, biologist, civil engineer, environmental chemist, environmental engineer, environmental specialist, hydrogeologist, hydrologist, oceanographer, water resource specialist, or a waste-water treatment plant operator.
Recommended Education--two-year associate degree to advanced degree with an emphasis in science.

What do you do? Manage land and water use as to aid its ability to support a diversity of wildlife now and in the future.
What can you be? Biologist, ecologist, environmental planner, geographic information system specialist, land acquisition professional, land trust or preserve manager, lawyer, natural resource manager, soil conservation specialist, geology technician, conservation officer, geologist, organic farmer, or archeologist.
Recommended Education--two-year technician's degree to an advanced degree with a science background.

What do you do? Regulation and manipulation of natural resources and human activity in the best interest of fish, wildlife, and plants. Simply stated, ecosystem management.
What can you be? An aquaculturist, botanist, data management specialist, endangered species biologist, environmental specialist, fish or wildlife biologist, fishery and wildlife manager, hatchery manager, marine biologist, entomologist, ecologist, naturalist, professor, refuge manager, research scientists, or wetlands ecologist.
Recommended Education--college or advanced degree with a science emphasis.

What do you do? Guide the public through outdoor places of enjoyment, education, and contemplation.
What can you be? An administrator, archeologist, biologist, botanist, concession manager or worker, ecosystem restorian expert, geologist, historian, landscape architect, maintenance manager or worker, natural resource manager, planner, ranger, wildlife biologist or naturalist.
Recommended Education--Varied, as are the jobs available. A science background is helpful along with communication skills.

What do you do? Manage timber, water, wildlife, recreation, and grazing practices.
What can you be? A consulting forester, environmental consultant, forest entomologist, forester, forest hydrologist, forest manager, forest pathologist, land manager, natural resources manager, procurement manager, urban forester, or urban planner.
Recommended Education--college to an advanced degree specialized in forestry.

What do you do? These are professions on their own with an environmental twist.
What can you be? Environmental activist or lobbyist, environmental lawyer, environmental journalist, public relations specialist, consumer advocate, data processing specialist, photographer, artist, environmental aesthetist, nutritionist, or an environmental entrepreneur or business person.
Recommended Education--high school diploma to an advanced degree; a background in science is helpful.