OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
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Ecological Engineering is the design of sustainable systems consistent with ecological principles that integrate human activities into the natural environment to the benefit of both. This approach emphasizes diversity, resilience and adaptation to maintain sustainability. Ecological Engineering deals with both fundamental processes and engineering applications on scales that range from microscopic to watersheds and beyond.
Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural products.
Develop and design manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.
Apply theory and principles of environmental engineering to modify, test, and operate equipment and devices used in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental problems, including waste treatment and site remediation, under the direction of engineering staff or scientist. May assist in the development of environmental remediation devices.
Research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.
Collaborate with field and biology staff to oversee the implementation of restoration projects and to develop new products. Process and synthesize complex scientific data into practical strategies for restoration, monitoring or management.
Manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules.
Identify, remove, pack, transport, or dispose of hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead-based paint, waste oil, fuel, transmission fluid, radioactive materials, or contaminated soil. Specialized training and certification in hazardous materials handling or a confined entry permit are generally required. May operate earth-moving equipment or trucks.
Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation, its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and its return to the ocean and atmosphere.
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
Analyze and manage risk management issues by identifying, measuring, and making decisions on operational or enterprise risks for an organization.
Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.
Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.
Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.
Plan or develop coordinated practices for soil erosion control, soil or water conservation, or sound land use.
Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.
Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.
| Position Title | Projected Growth (2014-2024) | Preparation Required | 2015 Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
Agricultural Engineers
Position Description:Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural products.
Projected Growth:
Decline (-2% or lower)
Median Pay:
$78,490 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Decline (-2% or lower) | Job Zone 4 | $78,490 per year |
Commercial and Industrial Designers
Position Description:Develop and design manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.
Projected Growth:
Slower than average (2% to 4%)
Median Pay:
$69,820 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Slower than average (2% to 4%) | Job Zone 4 | $69,820 per year |
Environmental Engineering Technicians
Position Description:Apply theory and principles of environmental engineering to modify, test, and operate equipment and devices used in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental problems, including waste treatment and site remediation, under the direction of engineering staff or scientist. May assist in the development of environmental remediation devices.
Projected Growth:
Little or no change (-1% to 1%)
Median Pay:
$51,170 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Little or no change (-1% to 1%) | Job Zone 4 | $51,170 per year |
Environmental Engineers
Position Description:Research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$88,040 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 5
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | Job Zone 5 | $88,040 per year |
Environmental Restoration Planners
Position Description:Collaborate with field and biology staff to oversee the implementation of restoration projects and to develop new products. Process and synthesize complex scientific data into practical strategies for restoration, monitoring or management.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$73,930 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 5
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | Job Zone 5 | $73,930 per year |
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Position Description:Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$88,570 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 5
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | Job Zone 5 | $88,570 per year |
Foresters
Position Description:Manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$60,650 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 4 | $60,650 per year |
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Position Description:Identify, remove, pack, transport, or dispose of hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead-based paint, waste oil, fuel, transmission fluid, radioactive materials, or contaminated soil. Specialized training and certification in hazardous materials handling or a confined entry permit are generally required. May operate earth-moving equipment or trucks.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$44,150 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 3 | $44,150 per year |
Hydrologists
Position Description:Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation, its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and its return to the ocean and atmosphere.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$83,440 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 4 | $83,440 per year |
Natural Sciences Managers
Position Description:Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
Projected Growth:
Slower than average (2% to 4%)
Median Pay:
$136,570 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 5
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Slower than average (2% to 4%) | Job Zone 5 | $136,570 per year |
Program Directors
Position Description:Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$89,670 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | Job Zone 4 | $89,670 per year |
Range Managers
Position Description:Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$63,800 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 4 | $63,800 per year |
Risk Management Specialists
Position Description:Analyze and manage risk management issues by identifying, measuring, and making decisions on operational or enterprise risks for an organization.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$72,480 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 4 | $72,480 per year |
Soil and Plant Scientists
Position Description:Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$65,980 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 5
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 5 | $65,980 per year |
Soil and Water Conservationists
Position Description:Plan or develop coordinated practices for soil erosion control, soil or water conservation, or sound land use.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$63,800 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 4 | $63,800 per year |
Technical Writers
Position Description:Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$73,350 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 4 | $73,350 per year |
Urban and Regional Planners
Position Description:Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$70,680 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 5
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 5 | $70,680 per year |
Water Resource Specialists
Position Description:Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.
Projected Growth:
Slower than average (2% to 4%)
Median Pay:
$136,570 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Slower than average (2% to 4%) | Job Zone 4 | $136,570 per year |
Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural products.
Develop and design manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.
Apply theory and principles of environmental engineering to modify, test, and operate equipment and devices used in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental problems, including waste treatment and site remediation, under the direction of engineering staff or scientist. May assist in the development of environmental remediation devices.
Research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.
Collaborate with field and biology staff to oversee the implementation of restoration projects and to develop new products. Process and synthesize complex scientific data into practical strategies for restoration, monitoring or management.
Manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules.
Identify, remove, pack, transport, or dispose of hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead-based paint, waste oil, fuel, transmission fluid, radioactive materials, or contaminated soil. Specialized training and certification in hazardous materials handling or a confined entry permit are generally required. May operate earth-moving equipment or trucks.
Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation, its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and its return to the ocean and atmosphere.
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
Analyze and manage risk management issues by identifying, measuring, and making decisions on operational or enterprise risks for an organization.
Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.
Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.
Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.
Plan or develop coordinated practices for soil erosion control, soil or water conservation, or sound land use.
Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.
Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.
Explore career information and other resources specifically tailored to Ecological Engineering majors.
Career Development Center
A110 Kerr Admin Building, Corvallis, OR 97331
541-737-4085 • Contact Us
Hours: Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.