Environmental Engineer

Roles and responsibilities

To qualify as an environmental engineer:

Step 1
Complete any undergraduate bachelor’s course {Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Science or the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)} with a major in Engineering Science as your first degree.

Step 2
Complete the postgraduate Master of Profesional Engineering to qualify as an environmental engineer.

Refer to the Study Pathways to the right for more information.

Environmental engineers:

• research and develop new technologies and techniques to improve the environmental acceptability of engineering projects
• evaluate environmental and social impacts of engineering projects in association with the public, scientists and other engineers
• design and operate processes to treat wastes to a standard acceptable for discharge and/or recycling (such as waste water treatment or waste solidification)
• work with occupational health experts to ensure a hazard-free working environment
• prepare reports and studies on the best approach to environmental management in new and existing engineering projects, taking into account environmentally sustainable economic activity and legal, environmental and industrial factors
• effectively communicate relevant issues to other technical staff, managers, regulatory authorities, public interest groups and the public. 

Environmental engineers may be employed with large construction and mining organisations, large forestry organisations, regulatory authorities and some government departments.

Opportunities also exist for self-employment or work with consulting firms.

Source: myFuture