Topics

Career 1: Environmental Engineers

Career 2:Urban and Regional Planners

Specific Work
Activities

a. Design equipment or methods used to improve

environmental conditions of soil, air, or water.
b. Assess the environmental impact of activities on
air, water, and land. Write articles for the web about
these issues.
c. inspect industrial and government facilities. Check
that facilities operate efficiently and follow
environmental regulations.
d.Manage and coordinate environmental projects and
programs.

a.reate and put into use plans and policies for land
use, public utilities, community facilities, housing, and
transportation.
b.Test possible urban planning proposals to find areas
to improve. Make necessary changes to plans.
c.Study areas for urban planning. Find opportunities to
create projects that have positive environmental
impacts.
d.Promote sustainable urban planning and alternative
transportation to different groups.

Common Work
Activities

a.Document and record information

b.Use computers
c.Analyze data or information and evaluate
information against standards
d.Think creatively

a.Work with the public

b.Use computers
c.Communicate with supervisors, peers, or
subordinates
d.Think creatively

Working Conditions

a. Rarely consult a supervisor before setting tasks and

goals.

b.Can make most decisions without talking to a supervisor

c.Repeat the same physical or mental activities. They
may need to work at the computer all day writing. They
may also do repetitive tasks in the field, such as
sampling.(Mostly work indoors. Some indoor work sites
may not be temperature-controlled.)

a.Have a high level of social contact. They consult with

others on proposals and make presentations.
b.Almost always work indoors. They often work
outdoors when looking at sites.
c.Must be sure their work is exact.
Make decisions on a daily basis that strongly impact
the public. They consult supervisors for some
decisions, but make most without talking to a
supervisor.
d. May work part time or full time, but most work more
than 40 hours a week.

Physical Demands

a.Sit for long periods of time.

b.Speak clearly so listeners can understand and be
able to understand the speech of another person.
c.See details of objects that are less than a few feet
away.
d.Hear sounds and recognize the difference between
them.

a.Sit for long periods of time.

b.Speak clearly so listeners can understand and be
able to understand the speech of another person.
c.Make quick, precise adjustments to machine
controls.
d.See details of objects that are less than a few feet
away.

Skills & Abilities

a.Use math skills to solve problems. Add, subtract,

multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.
b.Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers,
objects, pictures, or patterns.
c.Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.
d.Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their
strengths and weaknesses.

a..Express ideas clearly when speaking.

b.Listen to others and ask questions.
c.Read and understand work-related materials.
d.Understand spoken and written information.
e.Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve
problems..

Knowledge

a.Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of how to

build machines, buildings, and other things. Also
includes knowledge of how to use computers,
machines, and tools to do work more usefully.
b.Mathematics: Knowledge of the rules and uses of
numbers. Areas of knowledge include arithmetic,
algebra, geometry, and statistics.

a.Law, Government, and Jurisprudence: Knowledge of

laws, rules, court procedures, and the political process.
b.Communications and Media: Knowledge of
producing, sharing, and delivering information or
entertainment. This may be through written, spoken, or
visual media.
c.Design: Knowledge of making and using plans,

c.Geography: Knowledge of land, sea, and air

blueprints, drawings, and models.
masses. Also includes knowledge of how to describe
d.Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of protecting
their location, features, and relationships.
people, data, and property.
d.Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of computer
hardware and software.

Interests & Values

a.Consider good working conditions important. They

like jobs offering steady employment and good pay.
They want employment that fits their individual work
style. They may prefer doing a variety of tasks,
working alone, or being busy all the time.
b.Consider independence important. They like to
make decisions and try out ideas on their own. They
prefer jobs where they can plan their work with little
supervision.
c.Have realistic interests. They like work activities that
include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They like to work with plants, animals, and physical
materials such as wood, tools, and machinery. They
often prefer to work outside.
d.Have conventional interests. They like work
activities that follow set procedures, routines, and
standards. They like to work with data and detail.
They prefer working where there is a clear line of
authority to follow.

a.Have enterprising interests. They like work activities

that involve starting up and carrying out projects,
especially in business. They like to lead and persuade
others, make decisions, and take risks for profit.
b.Have artistic interests. They like work activities that
deal with artistic forms, designs, and patterns. They
prefer work which allows for self expression.
c.Consider independence important. They like to make
decisions and try out ideas on their own. They prefer
jobs where they can plan their work with little
supervision.
d.

Preparation

have a high school diploma or GED;

have at least a bachelor's degree; and
have a license.

have a high school diploma or GED;

have a bachelor's degree; and
have a master's degree in urban planning or a related
field.
.

Helpful High School

Computer Applications

Computer Applications

Courses

Geology
Keyboarding
Natural Resources Management
Probability and Statistics

Computer Science
Economics
Legal Studies
Natural Resource Management
Probability and Statistics

Licensing &
Certification

have a bachelors degree in engineering from an

accredited program and four years of approved
engineering work, or
have a combination of education and experience
approved by the board; and
pass the Engineering Fundamentals exam.

Wages

Earnings vary based on the engineer's level of

Salaries of planners vary by education, type of
education. Those with advanced degrees usually earn employer, experience, size of community, and area of
higher wages. Wages also vary by area of the
the country.
country.

Employment
Outlook

In Oregon, 458 environmental engineers work in this

small occupation.
Nationally, 53,200 environmental engineers work in
this small occupation.
Major employers:
Engineering firms
Environmental consulting firms
Federal, state, and local government agencies

N/A

in Oregon, 1,023 urban and regional planners work in

this medium-sized occupation.
Nationally, 38,700 urban and regional planners work in
this small occupation.
About seven out of ten urban and regional planners
work for local government agencies.
Major employers:
Local, state, and federal government agencies
Engineering firms
Architectural firms