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Hazardous-Waste Test Engineer

When hazardous waste has been improperly disposed of or when there is some question about the safety of a particular site, a hazardous-waste test engineer is called in to verify the substances present in a local environment. In this job, you're collecting and analyzing soil and water samples and providing information to people who need to know if their health or the public's safety is in danger.

Prospects

There is a real demand for engineers in this field. The information hazardous-waste engineers collect can determine if proposed construction projects can go ahead and is often used to determine how federal Superfund cleanup money will be spent. The recent closing and realignment of military bases in the United States also represents a boon to private consulting firms that do this type of testing; as bases are decommissioned, they must be deemed safe for new private sector uses. Operational changes at NASA's various research and launch sites also present opportunities for people working in this field.

Qualifications:

Minimally, a bachelor's degree in environmental science is required, but an engineering degree is preferred. You should have some experience collecting soil and water samples, and a good working knowledge of chemistry and biology. You should be in good physical health, since your lung capacity will be repeatedly tested to ensure that you are able to use an air-purifying respirator.

Characteristics

This is not a job for the timid, since some sampling jobs may put you in close proximity with toxic and potentially lethal chemicals (of course, you wear full protective clothing). You must be self-motivated and adaptable. The work can be tedious, but you are likely to encounter a variety of different working environments. For consulting work, it helps to be a quick study, someone who can learn a lot about a client's business or need on short notice.

Information Source:

100 Jobs in the Environment. New York: Macmillan, pp. 98-99.