Environmental Scientist/Engineer in Land Remediation
What does an engineer in land remediation do?
Engineers in land remediation, like environmental scientists, provide expert advice and assessment services to industry and government relating to the management and remediation of contaminated sites. Their expert understanding of the environment around degradation, recycling, toxicity and conservation help them design and monitor methods to reclaim contaminated land and water systems. People in these positions also often work in the design and monitoring of waste disposal sites in both urban and rural environments.
Why does an engineer in land remediation do this?
Engineers in land remediation play an important role in reducing or reversing detrimental impacts on the environment from natural and human activities such as construction, mining and toxic chemical spills. They help ensure that these activities and events do not have a lasting impact on the environment and the communities that use them.
How does an engineer in land remediation do their job?
Engineers in land remediation work across a wide range in industries and so have quite varied day to day activities, however some key tasks include:
- Monitoring the environmental impacts of development activities
- Planning and conducting research into the physical and biological nature of the environment
- Undertaking laboratory work
- Conducting research and preparing proposals to minimise the impact of industrial, agricultural and urban processes on the environment
- Developing conservation plans
- Investigating and reporting on breaches of environmental guidelines
- Running community education programs
- Assist with environmental emergencies, such as chemical spills and accidents
- Analysing pollutants, identifying their sources and assessing their effects on the environment
- Monitoring the effects of pollution and land degradation, and recommending ways of prevention and control
- Rehabilitate land, water and air affected by mining, logging, construction, degradation or pollution
- Conduct environmental audits.
Where do engineers in land remediation do their work?
Engineers in land remediation usually work in offices mixed in with lab and field work. Entry level positions often spend a lot of time in the field. More senior scientists tend to spend more time in the lab and office conducting tests and writing detailed reports for various decision makers.
Organisations that employ engineers in land remediation
There are many employment opportunities for those working in environmental sciences. There are government divisions and many private sectors including:
- CSIRO
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Queensland)
- Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (QLD)
- Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (VIC)
- Department of Environment Regulation (DER)
- Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (SA)
- Department of Parks and Wildlife (WA)
- Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (TAS)
- Office of Environment and Heritage (NSW)
- Parks and Wildlife Commission (NT)
- Vic Roads (VIC)