What does an environmental designer do?
An environmental designer works typically in urban planning, architecture, and landscape architecture, where they focus on constructing buildings structurally for residential and commercial purposes that are functional and environmentally friendly. The designers help design and build the right infrastructures, and they use high-tech software to design structures. In addition, these professionals focus on techniques and materials that are environmentally suitable, and they work as a planner by providing analysis and formulate strategies with an eye toward long-term needs.
Environmental designer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real environmental designer resumes:
- Modify SRV-1 source code using JavaScript software to attain tracking at any instantaneous time.
- Produce entire plan-sets in AutoCAD for stream/wetland mitigation and stormwater BMP projects.
- Improve topographic maps by integrating GPS information via ArcView GIS.
- Develop customized user interaction models using object-orient prototyping.
- Design and produce detailed construction plans for waste water treatment facility expansion from 3 to 7 MGD.
- Develop custom concepts and details coordinating across multiple disciplines and with outside companies including AECOM and Wyatt.
- Develop customized user interaction models using object-orient prototyping.
Environmental designer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 31% of Environmental Designers are proficient in Autocad, CAD, and Environmental Design. They’re also known for soft skills such as Reading skills, Writing skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Environmental Designers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Autocad, 31%
Developed complete site grading plans with AutoCAD Civil 3D using volume surfaces and balancing the cut/fill quantities.
- CAD, 19%
Directed CAD engineering and environmental design activities of the US Navy C.L.E.A.N.
- Environmental Design, 19%
Produced UPMC's first environmental design guidelines system for main identity, on/off-campus way-finding systems, final destination and interior signage.
- Design Intent, 10%
Developed section, details, color & material to convey design intent.
- Design Process, 9%
Redesigned the Vision Solutions brand identity, rewrote the corporate guidelines and managed the marketing collateral redesign process after multiple mergers/acquisitions.
- Environmental Graphics, 5%
Designed large scale, environmental graphics as well as signage in a retail merchandising environment for an architectural design-build company.
Common skills that an environmental designer uses to do their job include "autocad," "cad," and "environmental design." You can find details on the most important environmental designer responsibilities below.
Reading skills. The most essential soft skill for an environmental designer to carry out their responsibilities is reading skills. This skill is important for the role because "environmental engineers often work with businesspeople, lawyers, and other professionals outside their field." Additionally, an environmental designer resume shows how their duties depend on reading skills: "assisted in spreading mulch, ice rink set up, snow removal, and removing large trees and invasive plants. "
Writing skills. Another essential skill to perform environmental designer duties is writing skills. Environmental designers responsibilities require that "environmental engineers must write clearly so that others without their specific training can understand their documents, including plans, proposals, specifications, and findings, among others." Environmental designers also use writing skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "provided copywriting skills for multiple clients. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of environmental designers is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday environmental designer duties, as "when designing facilities and processes, environmental engineers strive to solve several issues at once, from workers’ safety to environmental protection." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "integrated design solutions administrative offices -san juan schematic, design development and construction documents for a 5,000 sq.ft. "
The three companies that hire the most environmental designers are:
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Compare different environmental designers
Environmental designer vs. Engineering coordinator
An engineering coordinator organizes and oversees engineering projects. They typically perform administrative support tasks such as conducting extensive research and analysis, arranging schedules with clients, handling calls and correspondence, liaising with internal and external parties, reviewing contracts and other documentation, and managing the flow of documents and information across different teams. They may also participate in the planning, designing, and developing stages of projects. Moreover, as an engineering coordinator, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with different departments while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, environmental designer responsibilities require skills like "autocad," "photoshop," "environmental design," and "design intent." Meanwhile a typical engineering coordinator has skills in areas such as "purchase orders," "project management," "continuous improvement," and "digital marketing." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Engineering coordinators earn the highest salaries when working in the automotive industry, with an average yearly salary of $62,970. On the other hand, environmental designers are paid more in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $69,199.On average, engineering coordinators reach similar levels of education than environmental designers. Engineering coordinators are 2.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Environmental designer vs. Engineering project coordinator
An engineering project coordinator works with project managers and specialists to ensure that all aspects of the project are carried out and cared for. They make sure that work is done according to schedule, the staff is doing their job per timeframe, the budget is allocated for, and expenditures are accounted for. They must also have good communication skills to report to stakeholders and heads proficiently. They are also involved in project meetings and propose improvements.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, environmental designer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "autocad," "photoshop," "environmental design," and "design intent." Meanwhile, an engineering project coordinator has duties that require skills in areas such as "project management," "shop drawings," "powerpoint," and "project documentation." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Engineering project coordinators may earn a higher salary than environmental designers, but engineering project coordinators earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $100,848. On the other hand, environmental designers receive higher pay in the hospitality industry, where they earn an average salary of $69,199.engineering project coordinators earn similar levels of education than environmental designers in general. They're 2.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Environmental designer vs. Waste management specialist
A waste management specialist designs and manages waste reduction and reclamation projects. They work with government officials to ensure that waste management goes smoothly. They ensure the implementation of waste management and evaluate a waste management program's success. This position requires a university degree or a recognized training certificate.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an environmental designer is likely to be skilled in "autocad," "photoshop," "cad," and "environmental design," while a typical waste management specialist is skilled in "epa," "rcra," "osha," and "doe."
Waste management specialists earn the best pay in the energy industry, where they command an average salary of $79,835. Environmental designers earn the highest pay from the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $69,199.When it comes to education, waste management specialists tend to earn similar degree levels compared to environmental designers. In fact, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Environmental designer vs. Waste management engineer
Types of environmental designer
Updated January 8, 2025
