Environmental Science
The problems of the environment are so complex and far reaching that many different occupations are involved in finding solutions. These include ecologists, earth scientists, conservationists, recreation specialists, planners, and environmental health specialists. Most of the environmental management disciplines have a scientific or technical base. However, social science also plays a large role in environmental protection, and there are occupations for people with a broad range of skills and aptitudes. While the labor market outlook varies greatly across the spectrum of environmental jobs, the magnitude of environmental problems suggests ample career opportunities for a long time to come.
Representative Job Titles and Area of Specialization
| Agricultural Chemicals Inspector | Irrigation Water Manager * | | Air Pollution Control Analyst * | Land Use Planner * | | Biological Control Specialist | Natural Resources Assistant * | | Coastal Zone Planner * | Noise Pollution Specialist | | Community Health Inspector | Oceanographer/Marine Ecologist | | Demographic Specialist | Park Ranger * | | Energy Conservation Economist | Parks And Recreation Specialist * | | Environmental Biochemist | Power Engineer | | Environmental Designer | Radiation Protection Specialist * | | Environmental Economist | Radiological Programs Engineer | | Environmental Educator | Range Management Scientist | | Environmental Engineer | Resources Policy Analyst * | | Environmental Impact Analyst * | Sanitary Engineer * | | Environmental Lawyer | Sedimentologist | | Environmental Lobbyist * | Soil Conservationist * | | Fish And Game Warden * | Solid Waste Manager | | Fisheries Scientist | Toxicologist | | Forester * | Transportation Planner * | | Geodesist | Urban Or Regional Planner * | | Geothermal Analyst | Utility Corridor Planner * | | Hazardous Waste Specialist * | Water Pollution Technician * | | Hydrographer * | Water Resources Engineer | | Hydrologist * | Wildlife Biologist | | Industrial Hygientist * | Wildlife Preserve Manager | | Interpretive Naturalist * | |
* See Training section
Nature of the Work
The type of work done by environmentalists is as diverse as the problems they address. It is generalized here under a few major classifications.
Ecologists are scientists from a diversity of backgrounds, concerned with one or more aspects of the interrelations of nature. Ecology is the study of the relations of organisms, or of whole local ecosystems, to their environments. The field is often called environmental biology. Its practitioners might be trained as biologists, botanists, or other natural scientists. Their work frequently involves pure research in a university of government agency setting.
Conservationists devote their careers to the protection and wise use of our natural resources, the soil, water, forests, minerals, wildlife, and grazing lands. Conservation is closely related to ecology, the major differences being in emphasis. Ecologists are interested in studying and understanding the environment as it is; conservationists are interested in using the environment and its resources and in creating a better environment.
Environmental design, architecture, planning and urban development have to do with land use and the "built" environment. Architecture is the art and science of designing buildings and the spaces between them. Land management is the balancing of one use of land against another to achieve maximum values in keeping with social need, economic considerations, and an environmental ethic.
Other environmentalists work in social, political, legal, health, and educational arenas to protect the environment. Their skills include writing, speaking, research, analysis, teaching, training, negotiating and persuading. The work of the environmentalists defies summarization. For all those committed to a cleaner, healthier world, there is a need for their skills and energy.
Places of Employment
| Universities and colleges | Federal agencies including: | | Hospitals | - Environmental Protection Agency | | Environmental consulting firms | - Bureau of Land Management | | Manufacturing firms | - Forest Service | | Oil companies | - National Parks Service | | Public utilities | - Geological Survey | | Independent research laboratories | - Department of Agriculture | | Consulting engineering firms | - Rural Development Services | | City, county and state agencies including: | - Soil Conservation Service | | - Departments of public health | - Department of the Interior | | - Planning departments | - Federal Power Commission | | - Coastal agencies | - National Aeronautics and Space | | - Water treatment facilities | - Federal Highway Administration | | - Water authorities | - Nuclear Regulatory Commission | | - Departments of conservation | - Agricultural Research Service | | - Departments of agriculture | - Bureau of Mines | | - Departments of community development | - Fish and Wildlife Service | | - Departments of public works |
Training
Many of the jobs listed above that are followed by an asterisk are available to those with a bachelor's degree, depending on coursework, experience and knowledge of the career area. Careful planning and internships are required to move smoothly from a bachelor's degree into a professional level job in environmental protection.
Many of the jobs at the professional level require a master's or doctorate degree, most notably those involving leadership in scientific research.
For further information and/or career counseling contact the Career Center, Veitch Student Center, Northwest Wing, University of California, Riverside, 951.827.3631.
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