Environmental assessment jobs involve various specialties, such as air quality engineers, ecologists, and geologists, who determine the potential impacts of construction projects on the environment and prepare reports to assist decision-making authorities. These jobs can be found in private industry, government regulatory agencies, or non-profit organizations. Environmental assessment reports are legally required in many regions to determine whether an impact to the environment may occur.
Environmental assessment jobs may include air quality engineers, ecologists, geologists, and biologists. The field includes various environmental science specialties, depending on the natural resource affected by public and private construction projects. Other titles related to environmental assessment jobs include natural resource specialist, environmental consultant, and environmental risk assessor.
People working on these environmental assessment jobs determine the potential impacts of construction projects on soil, water, air quality, or plant and animal life. These professionals also explore ways to mitigate adverse impacts in these areas and prepare reports to assist decision-making authorities. An environmental assessment report provides the public with information about how a project may affect the environment. It also helps government bodies responsible for granting or denying building permits.
A hydrologist may be hired for environmental assessment work near wetlands, lakes or streams. He or she collects and analyzes data in the field to determine how a proposal affects these areas. The hydrologist may work with an ecologist, botanist or biologist who is responsible for studying impacts on plants and animals that live near the body of water.
Environmental assessment jobs near factories or hazardous waste sites require air quality specialists. These scientists predict the level of emissions from these industries and recommend ways to lessen the impacts on air quality. They determine whether pollutants from these projects could contaminate the air and cause health risks, and determine whether the company’s mitigation plans are adequate.
Scientists seeking environmental assessment jobs may work in private industry, government regulatory agencies, or non-profit organizations. An environmental protection specialist typically processes impact reports for the government agency that oversees major projects. He or she may also work on setting policies to protect the environment.
Private companies may hire an environmental expert or consultant as a consultant in the early planning stages of a proposal. These consultants often review the potential impacts of construction projects and look for ways to mitigate any damage. They can identify potential negative impacts to the environment and recommend changes that address these concerns. Consultants usually prepare environmental assessment reports for the company when they complete the survey.
In many regions, an environmental assessment is the legally required first step in determining whether an impact to the environment may occur. The assessment report lists the responsible government bodies and the person who prepared the document. This report is made available to the public, usually with a defined time period for comment. If significant impacts are found, a full environmental impact statement is usually required.
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