More and more environmental firms are hiring risk managers to oversee their environmental assessment and remediation operations. These professionals review all aspects of the reports and often decide the course of action of the remediation projects. In addition, companies are now focusing on the environmental effects of their products and manufacturing processes. Thus, risk management offers a unique career opportunity for those concerned with the environment, who have a strong business and science background.
RELATED PROFESSIONS
- Planner
- Solid Waste Manager
- Hazardous Waste
- Management Specialist
- Biochemist/Biologist
- Chemical Engineer
- Civil Engineer
- Environmental Engineer
- Safety Engineer
- Chemist
- Hydrologist
- Environmental Toxicologist
- Geologist
More than 80 universities offer a risk management major. Risk managers must have a strong business background with an emphasis on management, finance, and insurance. Risk managers must also have a working knowledge of physics, chemistry, engineering, and hydrology. Some risk managers may receive an undergraduate degree in one of the traditional science or engineering fields and a master's degree in business or risk management. For those interested in preparing EIRs, 15 colleges offering specific degree programs in environmental design that will help a student with an understanding of the physical characteristics of a property. Several university programs are available that bring together faculty from different departments to form interdisciplinary environmental science programs. The purpose of these programs is to integrate the teachings of various disciplines and present the student with a more complete understanding of environmental issues. Interdisciplinary programs are probably best for those interested in environmental assessment and remediation work, and are best for students with a biological or physical science background.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
There are no special certification or licensing requirements for this profession.
Risk managers are employed by oil and drug companies, in the communications industry and, most recently, by environmental firms. These professionals most often work in offices, reviewing and writing reports, and meeting with other professionals to discuss projects. Risk managers work all around the country but are clustered in urban areas where most manufacturing and government activities take place. The largest cluster of environmental engineering and consulting firms are in and around Washington, D.C. Risk managers work a typical 40-hour workweek, but project deadlines and a considerable work load often force them to work more hours.
EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS AND MAJOR EMPLOYERS
Employment opportunities for risk managers are considered excellent. The need for risk managers will continue to increase as life and technology become more complex, companies and government strive to produce safer products and minimize public health risks, and the number of environmental cleanup projects continues to spiral upwards. During the past ten years, the number of environmental impact statements and remediation projects has risen dramatically. Risk managers with a strong background in the environment sciences will be among the most actively recruited workers in the environmental science work force. Because this is an emerging career in the environmental sciences, no reliable labor statistics are available.
SALARY STATISTICS
In 1990 the average salary for all risk managers was $73,000. Salaries in the private sector range from about $30,000 to $260,000 or more. Risk manager salaries with the federal government in 1991 with a GS-12 rating ranged from $37,294 to $48,481.
SOURCES OF FURTHER INFORMATION
- Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. 205 East 42nd St. New York, NY 10017
- Insurance Institute of America 720 Providence Rd. Malvern, PA 19355-0770
