Environmental Engineering Jobs Overview
As an environmental engineer, it’s your duty to find ways to protect and conserve the world around us. Environmental engineering jobs combine engineering and soil science, a blend of biology, physics, and chemistry, to address environmental issues like pollution control.
These roles may involve minimizing wasteful practices, finding new ways to generate power, making the most of what people already have, and reducing the negative effects of human activity on the environment. Some of the most common duties performed by environmental engineers include:
- collecting samples of soil, air, and water from the environment
- helping businesses obtain necessary licenses
- creating procedures to ensure employers operate in accordance with safety regulations
- managing programs for preventing pollution and disposing of garbage
- advising on remediation, restoration, and waste management plans
- planning infrastructure for water treatment plants to prevent environmental damage
- assisting with environmental investigations
Environmental engineers operate in several settings according to their duties. They often work in offices alongside other engineers and urban and regional planners. When deploying environmental safety practices, they sometimes work on-site outdoors.
Environmental engineers work in a variety of industries. Some of the most common include:
- energy companies
- utility companies
- healthcare agencies
- engineering consulting firms
- government agencies
- construction companies
- federal agencies
- manufacturing companies
Almost all environmental engineers work full-time. Those in management and senior-level positions sometimes work more than 40 hours a week to ensure the successful completion of initiatives. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), projects that this profession will grow by 4% over the next decade.
Salary Ranges for Environmental Engineering Jobs
Environmental engineers can earn anywhere from $37,914 to $92,536 a year, with a median salary of $68,478. The cities with the highest demand for environmental engineers are Houston, TX; New York, NY; Atlanta, GA; Washington, DC; and Chicago, IL.
Median salaries for environmental engineering-related jobs are:
Want to explore salary ranges for environmental engineering jobs in your preferred locations? Use the Monster Salary Calculator.
Finding the Right Environmental Engineering Jobs
Having a clear vision of where you want your career to take you in life is essential to finding a fulfilling job. You can use goal-setting to help you create this vision. When creating career goals for environmental engineering jobs, consider these points as you read job descriptions:
- Do the job duties align with my experience and expertise?
- Do I have the required credentials?
- Am I comfortable with the company's management style and culture?
- What types of professional development does the company offer?
- Does the employer pay for professional development, such as certification?
- What about the job do I like most, and what do I like least?
- Does the required work schedule fit my lifestyle?
Tips for Applying to Environmental Engineering Jobs
Submitting a strong resume and cover letter with all applications for environmental engineering jobs are crucial to:
- pique the interest of potential employers and recruiters
- showcase your impressive skills, expertise, and reputation
- exhibit your suitability for a job role
- explain how your experience will benefit the company
Prepare for the Application Process
Taking time to carefully prepare your application is crucial when applying for environmental engineering jobs. When reading through applications, always do the following:
- Take note of all the required skills and qualifications.
- Mirror the required attributes in your resume and cover letter.
- Follow any special guidelines supplied by the employer for submitting the application, such as including certifications.
Some of the key skills to include in your application are:
- technical knowledge
- problem-solving
- imagination
- project management
- understanding of OSHA regulations
- knowledge of AutoCAD
- understanding of Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER)
- familiarity with environmental regulations and compliance
- data collection
- writing technical reports
Create a Strong Resume
Your resume is essentially a self-marketing document that introduces you to potential employers and recruiters by highlighting your skills, experience, and unique selling points. It's important to always follow a professional resume format. You have three general options:
- Functional resume: This resume focuses on highlighting your skills and abilities and works well for those with strong skill sets but little work experience.
- Chronological resume: This type showcases your previous work experience and is a good option for those extensive job histories.
- Combination resume: Combining your skills and work experience, this format works best for those with advanced engineering skill sets and long careers.
Environmental engineers need advanced skills in waste management, pollution control, regulatory compliance, and environmental solutions. Using these skills as resume keywords will help you pass through applicant tracking software, making it easier for recruiters to assess you for open environmental engineering jobs.
Other keywords to include on your resume are:
- environmental engineering
- environmental awareness
- geotechnical engineering
- knowledge of environmental management systems
- site investigation
- remediation
- understanding of geology
- knowledge of environmental science
Use our Monster Professional Resume Writing Service for expert assistance in developing a winning application for environmental engineering jobs. You'll get a professionally crafted resume that's personalized to the job you're applying for and optimized to get past application monitoring software.
Create an Impressive Cover Letter
The benefits of including an engineering cover letter with your resume are numerous. For example, a cover letter:
- demonstrates your character and enthusiasm for the position
- proves that your background and expertise can be an asset to the company
- displays how your experience is a good fit for the position
- highlights why you should receive an interview request
Use the cover letter to point out your achievements in environmental engineering. Did you meet budget goals for 90% of your projects? Maybe you saved a company $100,000 in operating costs while also helping them reduce their carbon footprint. In addition to specific data, include the following items in your cover letter:
- an overview of your previous related work experience
- relevant employers you've worked for
- why you want the job and how it aligns with your career goals
- a sentence inviting the hiring manager to contact you with any questions
Submit Your Application
The easiest way to let recruiters know your availability for job positions is by joining Monster. Sign up, fill out your profile, and upload your resume and cover letter to get started!
Joining Monster also provides you with a convenient way to search for open environmental engineering jobs. To apply to positions that interest you, all you have to do is click the “Apply” button. The hiring manager will immediately receive your application, cover letter, and resume.
Application Follow-Up Methods
Doing an application follow-up is smart because it demonstrates your sincere interest in the job. It allows you to establish personal communication with the hiring manager as well.
How to Follow Up on Your Application
The easiest way to do an application follow-up is by phone or through email. To ensure the hiring manager has had time to review your application, wait five to seven business days before sending a follow-up. Check the application's guidelines to find the email address of the hiring manager.
Follow these guidelines to write a powerful but brief follow-up message:
- Begin by expressing appreciation to the recruiting manager for taking the time to review your resume.
- Reiterate your interest in the job, your strengths and why you think you are a good match for the position.
- End the message by saying you appreciate the opportunity to talk more about the job, making yourself available to answer questions
Environmental Engineering Job Interview Tips
Preparing thoroughly for an interview is the single most important thing you can do to increase your chances of getting the job. The more you plan ahead, the more in control you'll feel. You'll find yourself poised and confident with proper preparation.
Prepare for the Interview
There are several ways to prepare for an interview. First, check out the employer's website to research its culture. If you know who will conduct the interview, do some online research to learn about this person's background and achievements. Next, follow these tips:
- Study the job description several times to get a firm understanding of its requirements.
- Bring an extra copy of your resume and cover letter.
- Practice mock interviews with a family member or friend.
- Research the offered salary, if you already know it, and how it aligns with salaries for similar positions.
- Write down all the questions you have about the job.
- For remote interviews, test equipment like your webcam and microphone ahead of time to ensure they will function as needed during the interview.
During the Interview
Interview formats vary greatly from one employer to the next. However, most fall into one of two categories:
- Competency-based: This type of interview focuses on your skill set, credentials, and qualifications. Check out our competency-based interview advice to improve your chances of getting hired.
- Behavioral-based: This type of interview assesses your professional behavior by targeting your ability to work in team settings and finding out how you handle different situations in the workplace.
Consider incorporating the STAR method when you formulate your responses. This process can be especially helpful for behavioral-based interviews.
Example Interview Questions
Some competency-based interview questions to expect include:
- In the coming decade, what environmental concerns will need the greatest focus?
- How do you teach engineering concepts to a group of people who know nothing about the subject?
- How do you apply investigative reports for environmental concerns?
- What resources do you use to stay up-to-date on the latest environmental issues?
- How do you delegate tasks on projects?
- How have you improved a project's efficiency, whether by cutting expenses, raising revenues, or saving time?
- What experience do you have with technical writing?
Behavioral-based interview questions you might encounter when interviewing for environmental engineering jobs include:
- Do you prefer working indoors or outside?
- Tell me about a time when you made a mistake on the job. How did you make things right?
- Explain a time when a coworker or superior questioned the findings of research you helped conduct. What was your reaction?
- Please describe an instance in which you disagreed with the team's assessment of a complicated environmental problem at the project's core. What actions did you take, and what were the results?
- Describe an instance in which your team's usual quality control inspections uncovered problems that certain team members had caused. How did you handle this?
After the Interview
Sending a thank-you email after an interview demonstrates your genuine interest in the job. And the sooner you follow up, the more likely it is that the recruiting manager will remember who you are. Keep the following in mind:
- Send the note within 24 hours after the interview.
- Express your gratitude for the opportunity.
- Explain why you feel the position is a good fit for you and why you’re a good fit for the company and its goals.
- Send another follow-up note within two weeks if you still haven't heard anything.
Responding to a Job Offer
Getting a job offer is something to get excited about! You may find it tempting to accept the offer right away, but take a little time to decide if it's right for you. Thank the employer for the offer and then do the following before you give your final answer within an agreed time period:
- Carefully review all the paperwork associated with the job offer.
- Verify that all employment information is correct and aligns with what you and the interviewer discussed during the interview.
- Ask for clarification regarding any inconsistencies.
- Use research from authoritative sources to negotiate your salary.
Environmental Engineering Career Paths
Well-known career paths for environmental engineers include:
- Wastewater operator: Maintain a system to monitor, manage, and improve water quality; gather samples of water and waste and analyze them; and perform routine cleaning and upkeep of facilities, machinery, tanks, filter beds, etc.
- Environmental compliance officer: Design and initiate procedures for environmental health and safety (EHS) and OSHA conformity; perform research; participate in ongoing training to stay up-to-date on all federal and state mandates; and supervise EHS staff members.
- Environmental geologist: Conduct field research and laboratory experiments to learn how human activities impact Earth's spheres of influence; then, use that information to develop strategies for protecting the planet.
- Greenhouse manager: Oversee the day-to-day running of a greenhouse, including the propagation of new plants, regulation of the greenhouse's temperature, and management of stock and marketing.
Taking part in professional development can help you earn promotions and higher earnings. Professional development opportunities for environmental engineers include becoming subject matter experts or leading a group of their peers in the engineering and technology fields. Some environmental engineers advance into executive roles like program managers or engineering managers.
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