Water/Wastewater Engineers :: Job Description

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Water/Wastewater Engineers

Careers / Water/Wastewater Engineers

Summary Description


	Design or oversee projects involving provision of potable water, disposal of wastewater and sewage, or prevention of flood-related damage. Prepare environmental documentation for water resources, regulatory program compliance, data management and analysis, and field work. Perform hydraulic modeling and pipeline design.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Acting Section Chief

2.	Assistant County Engineer

3.	Dimensional Engineer

4.	Director Water and Waste Services

5.	Engineer and Geologist

6.	Floodplain Manager

7.	Hydrologic Modeler

8.	Principal Consulting Engineer

9.	Principal Technologist

10.	Program Manager

11.	Project Manager

12.	Project Manager/Design Manager

13.	Remediation Project Engineer

14.	Surface Water Manager

15.	Wastewater Design Engineer

16.	Wastewater Engineer

17.	Wastewater Plant Civil Engineer

18.	Wastewater Process Engineer

19.	Wastewater Project Engineer

20.	Water Engineer

21.	Water Project Engineer

22.	Water Resources Engineer

23.	Water Reuse Program Manager

24.	Water Systems Designer

25.	Water Systems Engineer

26.	Water/Wastewater Engineer

27.	Water/Wastewater Project Engineer

28.	Water/Wastewater Project Manager

29.	Watershed Engineer

Job Tasks

	Conduct feasibility studies for the construction of facilities, such as water supply systems, run-off collection networks, water and wastewater treatment plants, or wastewater collection systems. Research advanced engineering designs or applications.

	Provide technical direction or supervision to junior engineers, engineering or computer-aided design (CAD) technicians, or other technical personnel. Supervise engineering or other technical personnel. Provide technical guidance to other personnel. Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.

	Design pumping systems, pumping stations, pipelines, force mains, or sewers for the collection of wastewater. Design industrial processing systems.

	Design domestic or industrial water or wastewater treatment plants, including advanced facilities with sequencing batch reactors (SBR), membranes, lift stations, headworks, surge overflow basins, ultraviolet disinfection systems, aerobic digesters, sludge lagoons, or control buildings. Design civil structures or systems.

	Analyze storm water or floodplain drainage systems to control erosion, stabilize river banks, repair channel streams, or design bridges. Analyze physical, survey, or geographic data.

	Design water distribution systems for potable or nonpotable water. Design industrial processing systems.

	Design or select equipment for use in wastewater processing to ensure compliance with government standards. Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects. Design civil structures or systems.

	Identify design alternatives for the development of new water resources. Develop technical methods or processes.

	Design water or wastewater lift stations, including water wells. Design civil structures or systems.

	Perform hydraulic analyses of water supply systems or water distribution networks to model flow characteristics, test for pressure losses, or to identify opportunities to mitigate risks and improve operational efficiency. Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.

	Gather and analyze water use data to forecast water demand. Research advanced engineering designs or applications.

	Design water storage tanks or other water storage facilities. Design structures or facilities.

	Conduct cost-benefit analyses for the construction of water supply systems, run-off collection networks, water and wastewater treatment plants, or wastewater collection systems. Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects.

	Analyze and recommend chemical, biological, or other wastewater treatment methods to prepare water for industrial or domestic use. Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.

	Review and critique proposals, plans, or designs related to water or wastewater treatment systems. Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.

	Write technical reports or publications related to water resources development or water use efficiency. Prepare technical or operational reports.

	Design sludge treatment plants. Design civil structures or systems.

	Conduct water quality studies to identify and characterize water pollutant sources. Investigate the environmental impact of projects.

	Provide technical support on water resource or treatment issues to government agencies. Advise others regarding green practices or environmental concerns.

	Analyze and recommend sludge treatment or disposal methods. Advise others regarding green practices or environmental concerns.

	Design water run-off collection networks, water supply channels, or water supply system networks. Design civil structures or systems.

	Perform hydrological analyses, using three-dimensional simulation software, to model the movement of water or forecast the dispersion of chemical pollutants in the water supply. Create models of engineering designs or methods.

	Oversee the construction of decentralized or on-site wastewater treatment systems, including reclaimed water facilities. Direct environmental development activities.

	Develop plans for new water resources or water efficiency programs. Prepare detailed work plans.

	Analyze the efficiency of water delivery structures, such as dams, tainter gates, canals, pipes, penstocks, or cofferdams. Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.

	Conduct environmental impact studies related to water and wastewater collection, treatment, or distribution. Investigate the environmental impact of projects.

	Perform mathematical modeling of underground or surface water resources, such as floodplains, ocean coastlines, streams, rivers, or wetlands. Create models of engineering designs or methods.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Environmental Engineers
	Environmental engineers use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems. They are involved in efforts to improve recycling, waste disposal, public health, and water and air pollution control.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Environmental Engineers
	Environmental engineers work in a variety of settings because of the nature of the tasks they do. When they are working with other engineers and urban and regional planners, environmental engineers are likely to be in offices. When they are carrying out solutions through construction projects, they are likely to be at construction sites.

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Interesting Fact

In the 18th and 19th century, hatmakers used poisionous chemicals including mercury in their work. As result, many developed pathological symptons -- an estimated 10% went insane. Hence the term "mad as a hatter" and Lewis Carroll's character, the Mad Hatter.

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