People working for environmental planning jobs are involved in creating and/or the carrying out policies, regulations, and programs, which consider the impact of human development on the natural environment. They examine the conflicts between growing demands of development and the economy while trying to preserve a healthy environment. Succinctly put, this field incorporates scientific knowledge and social implications. Environmental planners come up with solutions.
Professionals in this field take into account the current impact as well as future implications of what people are doing to the environment but must keep in mind the needs of society. They must possess an understanding of the delicate balance of environmental, social, political, and economic aspects, while working with the conflicting pressures and interests of various groups of the population. This field covers a large array of environmental issues – water and air quality, natural resources, habitat conservation, and all hazardous waste.
Environmental Planning graduates can expect to find positions in public, private, and nonprofit sectors. The job market is expected to improve as urban and suburban areas increase in their complexity and people continue to demand environmentally friendly development. Yearly salary range for environmental planners is $39,210 - $62,710
Careers in Environmental Health
Jobs in environmental health deal with any of the external factors that people are exposed to on a daily basis and the effects of these factors. These include physical, chemical, and biological factors. Professionals in this field both assess and control such things that are considered to be potentially hazardous to the environment. The main goal of those people working in the field of environmental health is to prevent disease and create an overall healthy environment.
Graduates in this field can find work in local, state, or federal health departments. There are dozens of specialties in public health. One can find work in any of the following areas - food safety inspectors, health educators, or policy analysts, epidemiologists, biomedical laboratories, nutrition, biostatistics, international health, behavioral science, or public health practice or program management. The salary ranges vary as well. For instance, a career in health services administration may range anywhere from $37,050 - $161,400 and the public health program management range lies within $41,175 - $102,000.
Careers in Environmental Education
People who choose to go into the field of environmental education have deep love and appreciation of the earth, as well love for the outdoors and nature. Environmental education jobs make connections between science, technology, economics, policy, people, and the environment. The professionals in this field help people increase their knowledge and awareness about the environment and its inherent challenges. They also teach people the necessary skills and expertise to address these challenges. Furthermore, they help foster a responsible attitude towards our natural world and teach people how to make responsible decisions and take responsible actions to protect the environment for future generations and ourselves. The most common references to environmental educators are usually made to the education of youth through interpretive programs at elementary and secondary schools, nature centers, parks, and community programs. There are endless opportunities in this field.
An environmental educator may gather specimens from a pond with a group of elementary students, lead an educational canoe trips in a swamp forest, teach a course about native wildlife of the area, instruct outdoor education and recreation courses, coordinate living history, run tour programs or hikes, assist with environmental research projects, or work in conjunction with schools and work with curriculum writers to develop environmental education programs. They may be an exhibit designer, a professor of environmental science, a camp manager, a field studies manager, or a park ranger. The list is endless. But their mission is constant - to protect the integrity of the earth's natural structure and to help to promote a personal responsibility for our natural world.
The field of environmental education is so vast that it is impossible to give an actual salary range; however, it can definitely be said that environmental educators are not generally in this field for the monetary rewards.
Careers in Environmental Science
Environmental scientist jobs focus on pollution and other environmental problems. They investigate and analyze the air, water, and soil and determine if there are harmful substances. When they do find a problem, they work on ways to remedy it. The job of an environmental scientist is simply to keep the environment safe. Additionally, these professionals come up with preventative measures as well and give advice on how to maintain the environment. They might design a safe way to get rid of trash, for example.
Some environmental scientists help to enact laws about protecting the environment. The non-smoking laws that are in effect in most states are a prime example of this. They also are frequently hired by companies to assist them in adhering to the laws.
Some people in this field combine environmental science with other sciences, such as biology, which focuses on protecting animals and plants or chemistry, which has its main focus on finding out if different chemicals damage the environment. Environmental scientists work anywhere from laboratories to offices to outside, taking measurements, digging dirt, chipping rocks, or doing other physical things. Some travel and even look for oil in foreign countries.
The average salary for an environmental scientist is $ 67,000; however this can vary tremendously depending on the job type and the job level.
Careers in Environmental Engineers
Environmental engineers are professionals who use technology to identify and design solutions for environmental problems, including safe drinking water, disposal of wastes, proper air quality, water pollution, and dealing with contaminated sites, due to spills or disposal of hazardous substances. They also monitor the quality of the air, water, and land. Additionally, they are involved with developing new and improved methods of protecting the environment.
Environmental engineering jobs are made up of people who do the actual things that protect the environment from damage and correct existing problems. These professionals have both the scientific and technical knowledge to identify, design, build, and operate systems that make our modern world possible.
Environmental engineers are highly educated and have a broad base or education. They are also highly technically trained. This large spectrum of knowledge is essential in order to address the gamut of issues currently facing the environment.
The starting average salary for an environmental engineer is $65,000, but here again, this varies greatly depending on the type of work one is hired to do, the size of the corporation that one is working for, and/or the publications one in this field may have to one’s credit.
