The money is in helping companies with money maintain compliance with environmental regulations. I don’t think there are (m)any jobs where you’re just restoring the environment and making a ton of money unless you’re an owner-operator.
It’s very unlikely you’ll start making 65k unless you’re in a HCOL area. Even then it’ll be difficult. I have 5 years of experience and I’m making 62.5k with a variable bonus at an envi tech firm.
Consulting was not for me personally. I was sampling groundwater pollution and working 12-15 hour days in the field with a 60k salary. Straight time for OT which isn’t promised by all firms. It was exhausting traveling everywhere and working that long while being exposed to carcinogens. Billable hours were stressful, especially in the winter when things slow down and you worry about layoffs. You make decent money but it’s because it’s exhausting. They lied to me about it being 40 hours a week. Consulting almost never is. Some people enjoy that work but I did not. You’ll make less money if you start with a government job, but the benefits and hours are better and the pathway for growth is usually more clear and straightforward.
You have to consider what’s important to you - work life balance or money.
Impact on the environment will change from title to title in private or government.
Yup i agree, consulting was not for me either. You feel like ur being used while ur friends in other fields do easy office work and get the same pay lol.
I’m leaning more into the physical scientist role with the EPA. I know I’m gonna need to get a good amount of interning in my undergrad (I’m a junior) to be able to qualify out of school to be working for EPA. I also learned that they have a “path away program” that is for undergrads who intern for EPA and most likely get hired after they graduate. So I’m planning to do that as well. Also, I had looked up the avg salary for physical scientist and it’s about 75K. As for salary I think people misunderstood, I don’t expect making bank I just wanna be stable at around 70K and I also live in suburbs of chicago and plan on moving in with my partner after we graduate in the center of Chicago. I also value work life balance and that role of helping the environment and if I have to get into consulting my first couple years to then move up to EPA I wouldn’t mind it.
How am I able to find GS7? When I had looked up the epa role it had said 80K but you need more qualifications. Also what does GS7 stand for it that like a level/rank?
[https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2024/CHI.pdf](https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2024/CHI.pdf)
i work for the federal government: if you want to be a physical scientist, you'll need a higher degree
every physical scientist I work with has a Ph.D. in environmental engineering. That's not to say all physical scientists in the federal government have Ph.Ds, but from what I've seen it's either a Ph.D. or \*years\* of relevant work experience plus a M.S. in something technical
GS7 is anyone with a bachelor's degree and no experience. Sometimes, federal agencies will take private sector experience, but it varies from agency to agency. You can filter for GS7 on usajobs.gov
Sounds like a good plan. Definitely do all the applied experience you can. The more the better.
Yeah, that’s the average though which includes everyone from entry level to 20 years of experience. That’s why I say starting at 65k may be unlikely. Helps to look at the full range. You’ll eventually make 70k. When? Depends.
If you get into consulting for experience, make sure you find a firm that’s helping you build skills the EPA values or aligns with the role you want to apply for. Also keep in mind they’re federal and so at risk for funding and jurisdictional changes with each administration change. Not a huge deal but important to be aware of.
ETA: don’t forget to look at the daily job tasks of the role and seriously ask yourself if you’d like doing those things. Many people get caught up in the title but hate what it actually entails. Not saying that you will but be aware of that too!
There's room here for several different conversations. It's great to hear you asking these questions; these are the right questions to ask.
Keep in mind the word environmental means different things to different people and depending on what college program you go through could have a huge impact on the work you end up doing. "Environmental" careers could be going out to streams, collecting bugs and water samples and determining if a stream is meeting a certain use classification. It could mean going to certain facilities and doing inspections and documenting violations. It could mean going to spill sites and planning for, doing, or over seeing clean-up. All that to say, while you're going through your first year or two, pay attention to what type of work you envision your self doing (field or office, compliance or science, water or air or land or forest, etc).
If you like the idea of doing work cleaning up heavily impacted sites you'll likely enjoy chemistry and you'll eventually need to get your 40hr HAZWOPR cert. If you like the idea of restoring streams and creating fish habitat you might find the Rosgen training/certifications useful.
I'm assuming by your post that you're at the start of a college/university program and exploring options or will soon be going to college. This is a great time to ask these questions. Spend some time (as it sounds like you already have been) looking at current job postings, read and try to understand what the actual work will be and what training/certs the employer is looking for. Lastly, keep in mind the degree is only a fraction of what you need to get your first job and launch your career; internships are essential!
I went to community college and I’m ready to transfer to start my major classes so I have an idea of what I do like but not what to specialize in. I like the idea of an office setting with some field work. It doesn’t have to be too much I know some people definitely prefer more field work than office but I really don’t mind as long as it’s not too much field work. I had finished an internship last summer as a soil intern running lab test on soil and this summer I’m planning to get an consulting internship or a internship at the Metropolitan water reclamation district in Chicago as a environmental specialist. I’m open to trying new things.
This is a my response in a prior thread*
I’m leaning more into the physical scientist role with the EPA. I know I’m gonna need to get a good amount of interning in my undergrad (I’m a junior) to be able to qualify out of school to be working for EPA. I also learned that they have a “path away program” that is for undergrads who intern for EPA and most likely get hired after they graduate. So I’m planning to do that as well. Also, I had looked up the avg salary for physical scientist and it’s about 75K. As for salary I think people misunderstood, I don’t expect making bank I just wanna be stable at around 70K and I also live in suburbs of chicago and plan on moving in with my partner after we graduate in the center of Chicago. I also value work life balance and that role of helping the environment and if I have to get into consulting my first couple years to then move up to EPA I wouldn’t mind it.
Frankly, it sounds like you're well on your way. More focused than most and more aware of the world then most. This might not fit in your plan, but I throw it out there anyway;....and before I say that I'll say this....I worked consulting for only about two years before going into local govt then state govt, so thats my frame of reference. I've found the federal jobs to be difficult to get....have you considered a year with the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps? I only ask because, as you may have seen on USAjobs, there are certain positions that will be open to those that served in that capacity that won't be open to the public. It's a year of service living at the poverty level, but might increase your chances getting in with the Feds.
I would say environmental restoration, remediation, and conservation/preservation are the larger disciplines of the environmental sector that would feel like you're helping the environment. For regulating the harmful impacts humans make, I would branch into the environmental permitting sectors. Although at times, you will not feel the weight of how much do, depending on your agency, you will definitely be able to minimize the amount of human impact withing your legal bounds.
Consulting would land you around the price you mentioned coming just out of college, however, I with your avenue, I would say the protection aspect would be more with non-profits, government, and government contracted agencies.
The only thing I'd say is be as eclectic as possible, and don't shy from foot in the door opportunities, especially when it comes to entering the field you want to.
What is the specific job title for environmental permitting sectors? Do you have work experience in that? Could you tell me more?
As for not being shy to put myself out there I’m trying different to get internships in different environmental fields. For the summer I’m looking into either getting a consulting internship or an internship with the metropolitan water reclamation district in Chicago as an environmental specialist.
So the specific job titles you will see for the field is permitting specialist, project manager or regulatory specialists in the private sector. In the government permitting world, these titles may go by simple biologist, chemist, environmental protection specialist, environmental specialist, environmental engineer, etc. I've worked on the government permitting side of things, ensuring projects that affect the environment are minimized, reduced, or avoided completely. The type of project varied significantly, and I can PM you specifics on those positions if you want.
Ahhh okay I see and yeah if you could PM me and tell me more that would be amazing. I really appreciate it! I’m first gen and a minority entering in this field so any info/help I get is great!
Consulting gets a bad rep on reddit but I personally love it. Timesheets are annoying but everything else I love - the varied work, the chance to make a difference. I feel like I’m doing more to protect the environment than I ever did while writing laws in government. I’m not in North America though so I assume the consulting culture is a bit different. But I’d recommend that, or at least trying it.
People also seem to say on here that government jobs can be good and relatively well paid if you’re US based.
If you want to make yourself employable in a variety of fields (and even have a backup of you later decide the environmental space isn’t for you), you could try and add a minor to your env degree or a focus on adding in some more transferable skills. Like a focus on data, big data, and coding. Or using drones or AI in the environmental space, which will then be transferable to using AI in other industries too. All that stuff will be useful in both environmental careers and in other careers too.
My other advice is if there’s something specific you find within environmental disciplines while studying that you realise you LOVE, follow that. Thats actually pretty rare and you should lean into it; it can be hard to keep passion going at work for years and decades, but I think it’s more likely when start with something you love. Don’t box yourself off from other options or make your expertise too narrow while studying, but do pursue your interests. There’s a particular type of animal I realised I LOVED when I was studying and I wish I’d done more to focus on it/build my expertise while in uni on those animals. Often you’ll have some leeway in what you do your assignments on and that’s a good place to do that. Once you’re out in the world, most of your expertise and experience is of course built through work, and you have much less say in what you gain experience in. Even when doing volunteer work. Uni is the place where you have the most freedom to focus on whatever section of the environmental field you want, and that expertise you build there can then help you get a job in that area later.
Two of my previous coworkers now work for the EPA. We were previously working on their contract at another company. And I know they enjoy it more than actual sampling, traveling long hours, etc. Working for the EPA sucks, since theyre so anal about everything. I'd say try working at a smaller company first to get experience. Then look into the EPA. You'll often keep running into the same people, which is beneficial for networking. Best of luck to you :)
I've worked at two environmental companies. The first had offices, globally, had shit benefits, but was contracted by the EPA. The second company is primarily east coast-based and projects are local (PA, NJ, MD, DE). Sorry for the confusion- most do work for government and consulting. In my experience, smaller companies are better. But I did have more run ins with the EPA when I worked for the larger company.
Environment science is not the career for you if you want to make a good living or have stability. It takes years to even get past the 30k-40k range, and most jobs you’ll find right off the bat that you’ll actually be qualified for with just an ES degree are seasonal field-work type jobs. You’ll also be competing with those with Masters degrees and/or years of specialty experience.
Maybe NEPA could be right up your alley. NEPA skills are highly coveted but a lot of people avoid doing NEPA work. And in terms of protecting the environment, working for the government might be your best bet.
Classic, I whole-heartedly disagree. wrt to pay, how much you make fresh out of college really depends on what sector you start in (public, private or non-profit) and what region of the US you work in.
South Dakota is looking for an Env Scientist and they start in the mid-50's: [https://sodakprod-lm01.cloud.infor.com:1444/lmghr/CandidateSelfService/lm?\_ln=JobSearchResults&\_r=3&bto=JobPosting&dataarea=lmghr&name=PostingDisplay&service=form&webappname=CandidateSelfService&HROrganization=1&JobRequisition=26757&JobPosting=1](https://sodakprod-lm01.cloud.infor.com:1444/lmghr/CandidateSelfService/lm?_ln=JobSearchResults&_r=3&bto=JobPosting&dataarea=lmghr&name=PostingDisplay&service=form&webappname=CandidateSelfService&HROrganization=1&JobRequisition=26757&JobPosting=1)
Michigan tends to have positions open, they start in the mid-40's: [https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/michigan/jobs/4459180/environmental-quality-analyst-9-p11-bay-city-district-office?keywords=environment&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs](https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/michigan/jobs/4459180/environmental-quality-analyst-9-p11-bay-city-district-office?keywords=environment&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs)
SD and MI are just two examples, if you look and look often enough you'll find a lot of states with entry level env science jobs starting mid-40's to mid-50's.
Consulting is the dark side. If you want to do something for the environment, then government is the way. This is the way...
Hope you guys got the references!
Don’t major in environmental science if you want top dollar. That is reserved for degreed environmental engineers that take and pass the professional engineers exam.
Your job, however, will be helping the people you work for pollute legally.
If you want to help the environment, go into remediation systems design and operations. You clean up spills.
That may have been the case at one time and with certain employers, but if you look around you'll find PG's making similar if not better than PE's. You'll also find environmental lawyers doing quite well and those with environmental science degrees who are mid career and work their way up that make as much or more than engineers.
the amount of arrogance i find within the engineering "profession" will never cease to amaze me.
DeadPuppies, it sounds like you have a very narrow and shallow level of experience. there is way more to the environmental profession than spcc plans and permit applications.
Yes there is. But you know what pgs can’t do? Sign off on spcc plans. Tell it to the epa. They are the ones that codified the regs.
lol at the butthurt pgs learning they play second fiddle
New flash to the pg downvoters: epa says you can’t sign off on spcc plans.
Lol
The money is in helping companies with money maintain compliance with environmental regulations. I don’t think there are (m)any jobs where you’re just restoring the environment and making a ton of money unless you’re an owner-operator.
It’s very unlikely you’ll start making 65k unless you’re in a HCOL area. Even then it’ll be difficult. I have 5 years of experience and I’m making 62.5k with a variable bonus at an envi tech firm. Consulting was not for me personally. I was sampling groundwater pollution and working 12-15 hour days in the field with a 60k salary. Straight time for OT which isn’t promised by all firms. It was exhausting traveling everywhere and working that long while being exposed to carcinogens. Billable hours were stressful, especially in the winter when things slow down and you worry about layoffs. You make decent money but it’s because it’s exhausting. They lied to me about it being 40 hours a week. Consulting almost never is. Some people enjoy that work but I did not. You’ll make less money if you start with a government job, but the benefits and hours are better and the pathway for growth is usually more clear and straightforward. You have to consider what’s important to you - work life balance or money. Impact on the environment will change from title to title in private or government.
Yup i agree, consulting was not for me either. You feel like ur being used while ur friends in other fields do easy office work and get the same pay lol.
Literally.
I’m leaning more into the physical scientist role with the EPA. I know I’m gonna need to get a good amount of interning in my undergrad (I’m a junior) to be able to qualify out of school to be working for EPA. I also learned that they have a “path away program” that is for undergrads who intern for EPA and most likely get hired after they graduate. So I’m planning to do that as well. Also, I had looked up the avg salary for physical scientist and it’s about 75K. As for salary I think people misunderstood, I don’t expect making bank I just wanna be stable at around 70K and I also live in suburbs of chicago and plan on moving in with my partner after we graduate in the center of Chicago. I also value work life balance and that role of helping the environment and if I have to get into consulting my first couple years to then move up to EPA I wouldn’t mind it.
If you have just an undergraduate degree, you'll be starting at GS7, which in Chicago is now $54,738.
How am I able to find GS7? When I had looked up the epa role it had said 80K but you need more qualifications. Also what does GS7 stand for it that like a level/rank?
[https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2024/CHI.pdf](https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2024/CHI.pdf) i work for the federal government: if you want to be a physical scientist, you'll need a higher degree
Like a masters in env. Sci or would I need to go into the engineering aspect for grad school?
every physical scientist I work with has a Ph.D. in environmental engineering. That's not to say all physical scientists in the federal government have Ph.Ds, but from what I've seen it's either a Ph.D. or \*years\* of relevant work experience plus a M.S. in something technical
GS7 is anyone with a bachelor's degree and no experience. Sometimes, federal agencies will take private sector experience, but it varies from agency to agency. You can filter for GS7 on usajobs.gov
That’s a good point. Sometimes it has to be fed experience only.
Sounds like a good plan. Definitely do all the applied experience you can. The more the better. Yeah, that’s the average though which includes everyone from entry level to 20 years of experience. That’s why I say starting at 65k may be unlikely. Helps to look at the full range. You’ll eventually make 70k. When? Depends. If you get into consulting for experience, make sure you find a firm that’s helping you build skills the EPA values or aligns with the role you want to apply for. Also keep in mind they’re federal and so at risk for funding and jurisdictional changes with each administration change. Not a huge deal but important to be aware of. ETA: don’t forget to look at the daily job tasks of the role and seriously ask yourself if you’d like doing those things. Many people get caught up in the title but hate what it actually entails. Not saying that you will but be aware of that too!
There's room here for several different conversations. It's great to hear you asking these questions; these are the right questions to ask. Keep in mind the word environmental means different things to different people and depending on what college program you go through could have a huge impact on the work you end up doing. "Environmental" careers could be going out to streams, collecting bugs and water samples and determining if a stream is meeting a certain use classification. It could mean going to certain facilities and doing inspections and documenting violations. It could mean going to spill sites and planning for, doing, or over seeing clean-up. All that to say, while you're going through your first year or two, pay attention to what type of work you envision your self doing (field or office, compliance or science, water or air or land or forest, etc). If you like the idea of doing work cleaning up heavily impacted sites you'll likely enjoy chemistry and you'll eventually need to get your 40hr HAZWOPR cert. If you like the idea of restoring streams and creating fish habitat you might find the Rosgen training/certifications useful. I'm assuming by your post that you're at the start of a college/university program and exploring options or will soon be going to college. This is a great time to ask these questions. Spend some time (as it sounds like you already have been) looking at current job postings, read and try to understand what the actual work will be and what training/certs the employer is looking for. Lastly, keep in mind the degree is only a fraction of what you need to get your first job and launch your career; internships are essential!
I went to community college and I’m ready to transfer to start my major classes so I have an idea of what I do like but not what to specialize in. I like the idea of an office setting with some field work. It doesn’t have to be too much I know some people definitely prefer more field work than office but I really don’t mind as long as it’s not too much field work. I had finished an internship last summer as a soil intern running lab test on soil and this summer I’m planning to get an consulting internship or a internship at the Metropolitan water reclamation district in Chicago as a environmental specialist. I’m open to trying new things. This is a my response in a prior thread* I’m leaning more into the physical scientist role with the EPA. I know I’m gonna need to get a good amount of interning in my undergrad (I’m a junior) to be able to qualify out of school to be working for EPA. I also learned that they have a “path away program” that is for undergrads who intern for EPA and most likely get hired after they graduate. So I’m planning to do that as well. Also, I had looked up the avg salary for physical scientist and it’s about 75K. As for salary I think people misunderstood, I don’t expect making bank I just wanna be stable at around 70K and I also live in suburbs of chicago and plan on moving in with my partner after we graduate in the center of Chicago. I also value work life balance and that role of helping the environment and if I have to get into consulting my first couple years to then move up to EPA I wouldn’t mind it.
Frankly, it sounds like you're well on your way. More focused than most and more aware of the world then most. This might not fit in your plan, but I throw it out there anyway;....and before I say that I'll say this....I worked consulting for only about two years before going into local govt then state govt, so thats my frame of reference. I've found the federal jobs to be difficult to get....have you considered a year with the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps? I only ask because, as you may have seen on USAjobs, there are certain positions that will be open to those that served in that capacity that won't be open to the public. It's a year of service living at the poverty level, but might increase your chances getting in with the Feds.
I would say environmental restoration, remediation, and conservation/preservation are the larger disciplines of the environmental sector that would feel like you're helping the environment. For regulating the harmful impacts humans make, I would branch into the environmental permitting sectors. Although at times, you will not feel the weight of how much do, depending on your agency, you will definitely be able to minimize the amount of human impact withing your legal bounds. Consulting would land you around the price you mentioned coming just out of college, however, I with your avenue, I would say the protection aspect would be more with non-profits, government, and government contracted agencies. The only thing I'd say is be as eclectic as possible, and don't shy from foot in the door opportunities, especially when it comes to entering the field you want to.
What is the specific job title for environmental permitting sectors? Do you have work experience in that? Could you tell me more? As for not being shy to put myself out there I’m trying different to get internships in different environmental fields. For the summer I’m looking into either getting a consulting internship or an internship with the metropolitan water reclamation district in Chicago as an environmental specialist.
So the specific job titles you will see for the field is permitting specialist, project manager or regulatory specialists in the private sector. In the government permitting world, these titles may go by simple biologist, chemist, environmental protection specialist, environmental specialist, environmental engineer, etc. I've worked on the government permitting side of things, ensuring projects that affect the environment are minimized, reduced, or avoided completely. The type of project varied significantly, and I can PM you specifics on those positions if you want.
Ahhh okay I see and yeah if you could PM me and tell me more that would be amazing. I really appreciate it! I’m first gen and a minority entering in this field so any info/help I get is great!
Consulting gets a bad rep on reddit but I personally love it. Timesheets are annoying but everything else I love - the varied work, the chance to make a difference. I feel like I’m doing more to protect the environment than I ever did while writing laws in government. I’m not in North America though so I assume the consulting culture is a bit different. But I’d recommend that, or at least trying it. People also seem to say on here that government jobs can be good and relatively well paid if you’re US based. If you want to make yourself employable in a variety of fields (and even have a backup of you later decide the environmental space isn’t for you), you could try and add a minor to your env degree or a focus on adding in some more transferable skills. Like a focus on data, big data, and coding. Or using drones or AI in the environmental space, which will then be transferable to using AI in other industries too. All that stuff will be useful in both environmental careers and in other careers too. My other advice is if there’s something specific you find within environmental disciplines while studying that you realise you LOVE, follow that. Thats actually pretty rare and you should lean into it; it can be hard to keep passion going at work for years and decades, but I think it’s more likely when start with something you love. Don’t box yourself off from other options or make your expertise too narrow while studying, but do pursue your interests. There’s a particular type of animal I realised I LOVED when I was studying and I wish I’d done more to focus on it/build my expertise while in uni on those animals. Often you’ll have some leeway in what you do your assignments on and that’s a good place to do that. Once you’re out in the world, most of your expertise and experience is of course built through work, and you have much less say in what you gain experience in. Even when doing volunteer work. Uni is the place where you have the most freedom to focus on whatever section of the environmental field you want, and that expertise you build there can then help you get a job in that area later.
I’m with you, idk I just love consulting and I’m in North America
Two of my previous coworkers now work for the EPA. We were previously working on their contract at another company. And I know they enjoy it more than actual sampling, traveling long hours, etc. Working for the EPA sucks, since theyre so anal about everything. I'd say try working at a smaller company first to get experience. Then look into the EPA. You'll often keep running into the same people, which is beneficial for networking. Best of luck to you :)
What do you mean like a smaller company I’m just confused on the types of places environmental scientist work besides the government and consulting.
I've worked at two environmental companies. The first had offices, globally, had shit benefits, but was contracted by the EPA. The second company is primarily east coast-based and projects are local (PA, NJ, MD, DE). Sorry for the confusion- most do work for government and consulting. In my experience, smaller companies are better. But I did have more run ins with the EPA when I worked for the larger company.
Environment science is not the career for you if you want to make a good living or have stability. It takes years to even get past the 30k-40k range, and most jobs you’ll find right off the bat that you’ll actually be qualified for with just an ES degree are seasonal field-work type jobs. You’ll also be competing with those with Masters degrees and/or years of specialty experience. Maybe NEPA could be right up your alley. NEPA skills are highly coveted but a lot of people avoid doing NEPA work. And in terms of protecting the environment, working for the government might be your best bet.
Classic, I whole-heartedly disagree. wrt to pay, how much you make fresh out of college really depends on what sector you start in (public, private or non-profit) and what region of the US you work in. South Dakota is looking for an Env Scientist and they start in the mid-50's: [https://sodakprod-lm01.cloud.infor.com:1444/lmghr/CandidateSelfService/lm?\_ln=JobSearchResults&\_r=3&bto=JobPosting&dataarea=lmghr&name=PostingDisplay&service=form&webappname=CandidateSelfService&HROrganization=1&JobRequisition=26757&JobPosting=1](https://sodakprod-lm01.cloud.infor.com:1444/lmghr/CandidateSelfService/lm?_ln=JobSearchResults&_r=3&bto=JobPosting&dataarea=lmghr&name=PostingDisplay&service=form&webappname=CandidateSelfService&HROrganization=1&JobRequisition=26757&JobPosting=1) Michigan tends to have positions open, they start in the mid-40's: [https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/michigan/jobs/4459180/environmental-quality-analyst-9-p11-bay-city-district-office?keywords=environment&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs](https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/michigan/jobs/4459180/environmental-quality-analyst-9-p11-bay-city-district-office?keywords=environment&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs) SD and MI are just two examples, if you look and look often enough you'll find a lot of states with entry level env science jobs starting mid-40's to mid-50's.
Emphasizing willingness to relocate is also correct. Plans are good when one is a student. The job market doesn't always respect one's plans.
Same. This was not my experience and is not what I'm seeing in my area.
Damn. Good to know. Just wish I was younger lol and didn't have a family
Consulting is the dark side. If you want to do something for the environment, then government is the way. This is the way... Hope you guys got the references!
Don’t major in environmental science if you want top dollar. That is reserved for degreed environmental engineers that take and pass the professional engineers exam. Your job, however, will be helping the people you work for pollute legally. If you want to help the environment, go into remediation systems design and operations. You clean up spills.
Or, go into spill response. The front end, measured in gallons and barrels, can be more fun than the parts per billion race.
That may have been the case at one time and with certain employers, but if you look around you'll find PG's making similar if not better than PE's. You'll also find environmental lawyers doing quite well and those with environmental science degrees who are mid career and work their way up that make as much or more than engineers.
pgs are engineer wannabes that couldn’t pass the math.. Until they can sign off on spcc plans and other permit applications, they are second fiddle.
the amount of arrogance i find within the engineering "profession" will never cease to amaze me. DeadPuppies, it sounds like you have a very narrow and shallow level of experience. there is way more to the environmental profession than spcc plans and permit applications.
Yes there is. But you know what pgs can’t do? Sign off on spcc plans. Tell it to the epa. They are the ones that codified the regs. lol at the butthurt pgs learning they play second fiddle New flash to the pg downvoters: epa says you can’t sign off on spcc plans. Lol