Types of Positions and Duties
The type of positions available depends on the level of government and location. City agencies, such as the City of Overland Park, KS, have positions on sediment and erosion control, while the Environmental Protection Agency is hiring almost every specialty. The main issue to consider is location and specialization.
The most common positions require a technical background. The Environmental Protection Agency started an Intern Program for bachelors, masters, and postdoctoral students to enroll to study the effects of contaminants in the environment on human health. Students who have a science or engineering background may be able to take advantage of this program.
While no position is truly typical, most of the jobs posted have similar duties. Many positions wants the person in the job to measure and monitor environmental contaminants, determine toxic and non-toxic levels, and determine what activities need to be completed. Some of these positions may require up to five days a week of travel. The job descriptions list travel, salary as well as other requirements.
The EPA and the Department of Homeland Security have positions that require people who possess an engineering, physical, or life science advanced degree to respond to threats to the public health. For example, they have positions to respond to oil spills to support the Clean Water Act as well as the Oil Pollution Act.
Because pollution and environmental contamination could be found in soil, air, water, vegetation, and animal life, a variety of experts are needed to be coordinated when something happens.
The Army Corps of Engineers also posts environmental jobs. The Army Corps may work in what are called brown field lands, land that was once used for low-grade industry that has since been torn down. They need engineers and masters or PhD level toxicologists and environmental scientists to ensure the soil is safe to use and tobuild levees in flood control projects.
With the concern over air pollution from airplanes, the Federal Aviation Administration also posts environmental jobs to monitor air quality at airports, as well as to respond to contamination issues, such as jet fuel spills or other spills that might influence the area's environment. Monitoring of the runoff of de-icing fluids has begun to be monitored and regulated.
Education and Certification Requirements
Federal government environmental jobs require that the applicant be a citizen of the United States. Local and state positions may have more flexibility.
Some of the more technical positions may require an advanced degree in toxicology, biochemistry, or other physical or life science.
Positions requiring removal or abatement of hazardous materials may require advanced engineering degrees, such as civil engineering.
Other positions require statisticians to analyze data and findings to help determine what is normal versus what is above normal.
Some of the positions may also require degrees in agriculture, soil sciences, geology, or related fields.
Large agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency hire candidates with other backgrounds such as human resources, computer sciences, and finance to help manage the large number of government environmental jobs.
Skills
Government environmental jobs generally require excellent verbal and written communication skills. With all of the monitoring come written reports as well as presentations.
Some of the positions also involve interviews with the media to discuss an event or a project that is underway. Experience with public speaking and public relations is also beneficial.
Computer skills and the ability to use spreadsheets, the Internet, as well as databases are important. Most reports and data are recorded and submitted electronically.
Application Process
Local and State applications have different processes than the Federal process. Each city and State has different requirements.
The most important condition of employment is the applicant must be a resident of the United States.
Positions require a resume, a response to an on-line occupational questionnaire, as well as providing supporting documentation such as transcripts and letters of recommendation. Almost all positions have the requirement of an electronic copy of a resume be filed. Some positions require that the applicant qualify for security clearance. What this means is that the applicant should not have a criminal history, nor engage in some acts that may be deemed a security risk.
Honorably discharged veterans are given additional points in the ranking of applicants for certain positions.
The interview process is similar to business interviews, generally conducted at the government site and by several supervisors within the department.
Job Outlook
Currently, the job outlook is stable for government environmental jobs. The Department of Homeland Security has been a new agency with new environmental jobs focused on the public safety in the event of a terrorist attack, or a major disaster.
Salary Range
Salaries for government environmental jobs vary widely and are influenced by the level of education, the number of people supervised, as well as by the grade level. Entry-level positions are posted by grade. A table of grade, and step values are available online. G-1 starts at $17,046 per year and G-15 step 10 is $ 124,010 per year.
Conclusion
For job hunters looking for government environmental jobs, there are wide range of choices and locations. Some of the positions may have heavy travel demands, while others may be in the city limits. With more agencies starting to employ environmental employees, the options are greater than ever.
