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Environmental engineer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Becky A. Ball,

Dr. Eban Goodstein

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical environmental engineer skills. We ranked the top skills for environmental engineers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 6.1% of environmental engineer resumes contained environmental compliance as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an environmental engineer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 environmental engineer skills for your resume and career

1. Environmental Compliance

Environmental compliance means to fulfill official environmental requirements. It comprises environmental rules, laws, and regulations, and permits regarding which sites to operate. Environmental concerns have raised compliances across the globe. Environmental compliance includes managing and monitoring the required permits for correct parameters, performing and processing calculations, generate daily compliance reports, and record data with compliance to any risk alert

Here's how environmental engineers use environmental compliance:

Developed and implemented environmental compliance monitoring software/hardware.
Audited inorganic chemical manufacturing plants in California and Washington for environmental compliance to federal, state and local environmental requirements.

2. Project Management

Here's how environmental engineers use project management:

Evaluated engineering design plans of existing facilities, refined operational requirements and collaborated with project management for facility overhaul and expansion.
Work in collaboration with USACE to facilitate successful project management and implementation of coastal erosion studies and coastal construction projects.

3. OSHA

Here's how environmental engineers use osha:

Developed and implemented a configuration management program for company documents required by both OSHA and EPA risk assessment regulations.
Cataloged and analyzed all OSHA required tracking of hazardous chemicals stored at every facility in the United States Air Force Inventory.

4. Autocad

Here's how environmental engineers use autocad:

Supervised facility and material flow diagram design/drafting via AutoCAD, and final permit renewal application documents preparation for TCEQ evaluation/approval.
Coordinated and developed AutoCAD drawings to graphically convey potential areas of safety and environmental concerns.

5. HAZWOPER

Here's how environmental engineers use hazwoper:

Developed HAZWOPER training package for operators and maintenance personnel.
Participated in New Employee Safety Training (NEST) of new personnel and annual HAZWOPER refresher training for facility personnel.

6. Environmental Regulations

Here's how environmental engineers use environmental regulations:

Determined and interpreted regulatory requirements for plant personnel, and managed consultants and outside contractors to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
Reviewed and provided guidance on environmental regulations for air permitting, water discharge, hazardous materials and pollution emission trading.

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7. Management System

A management system is a set of policies, processes, and procedures taken by an organization or a business to ensure it can fulfill its tasks and achieve its objectives. A management system makes sure that the company excels financially and improves the user experience. The management system also takes care of the worker's and employees' needs and manages their workload and oversees their performance. Apart from interior matters of the company, a management system also deals with exterior matters like legislations, tax matters, and law issues.

Here's how environmental engineers use management system:

Maintain electronic Environmental Data Management System
Assure proper calibration for measurement equipment associated with the Environmental Management System and Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Systems' activities.

8. Regulatory Agencies

A regulatory agency is a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) that is responsible for supervising certain human activities and controlling them to some extent. They are set up in some areas such as hospitals, law firms, and governmental setup to regulate safety standards. They prevent undue and unjust abuse of power in these setups.

Here's how environmental engineers use regulatory agencies:

Interacted with regulatory agencies to clarify procedures, resolve issues and ensure operations under existing permits or pending applications.
Maintained contacts between regulatory agencies, as well as knowledge of regulations and regulatory requirements affecting Massachusetts industrial companies.

9. Cost Estimates

Here's how environmental engineers use cost estimates:

Prepared cost estimates for remedial system design, installation, maintenance and operating expenses to facilitate competitive bids for cleanup projects.
Developed numerous engineering designs, drawings, specifications, cost estimates and technical reports to protect water resources, environmental remediation.

10. Data Collection

Data collection means to analyze and collect all the necessary information. It helps in carrying out research and in storing important and necessary information. The most important goal of data collection is to gather the information that is rich and accurate for statistical analysis.

Here's how environmental engineers use data collection:

Performed complex scientific data collection and preparation necessary to support engineering studies and environmental occupational health assessments and reports.
Developed and implemented generator air emission and air quality monitoring data collection systems.

11. Technical Reports

Technical reports are a type of document that is used to indicate either the progress, result, or process of scientific research or the state of problems occurring within such research. A technical report may also showcase the report's overall conclusion and may also include recommendations. This kind of report does not require a peer review and isn't published officially but distributed within the organizations where it was formed.

Here's how environmental engineers use technical reports:

Prepare comprehensive technical reports for permit application reviews, CQA oversight, and general facility inspections.
Prepared budget forecasts and technical reports for construction and remediation projects.

12. Storm Water

Here's how environmental engineers use storm water:

Prepared Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan and Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan along with implementation schedules to meet regulatory requirements.
Storm water pollution prevention plan for several NYSDOT regional drainage area evaluation and pollution separation plans including deicing area evaluation.

13. GIS

A geographic information system (GIS) is a tool for capturing, storing, manipulating, analyzing, managing and presenting various forms of geographic data.

Here's how environmental engineers use gis:

Developed guidance documents for use of GIS within Environmental Engineering department.
Performed groundwater sampling and assists with the development of large groundwater monitoring databases as well as databases for use in GIS.

14. EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a US-based organization established to sustain and improve the environmental and human health standards across the United States. EPA was established by US President Richard Nixon by executive order in December 1970. The EPA formulates laws and releases guidelines to promote the health of individuals and the ecosystem.

Here's how environmental engineers use epa:

Developed desk reference for EPA s National Exposure Research Laboratory to help researchers communicate environmental research to the public more effectively.
Cut EPA hazardous material storage requirements in half by introducing product substitutions, including replacing petroleum-based solvents with organic solvents.

15. Water Quality

Here's how environmental engineers use water quality:

Respond to citizens' complaints and water quality incidents, coordinate activities with interested stakeholders and participate in public meetings.
Managed National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and Water Quality Standards program for Commonwealth of Virginia, decreasing pollution of waterways.

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What skills help Environmental Engineers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on environmental engineer resumes?

Dr. Becky A. Ball

Associate Professor, School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences Senior Sustainability Scientist, Global Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State University

The environmental field is very broad, so the skills that stand out best depend on the career field, but in general, the skills I see most frequently listed on job ads are skills in geographic spatial analysis (GIS), statistical analyses and data handling, hands-on experience with field techniques for working with plants and wildlife, and experience with NEPA and other related environmental regulations. (That's why we have built all of these skills directly into our Environmental Science degree coursework!)

What soft skills should all environmental engineers possess?

Dr. Eban Goodstein

Director, Bard College

Networking.

What hard/technical skills are most important for environmental engineers?

Dr. Eban Goodstein

Director, Bard College

Solid natural science background, esp ecology, and biogeochemical cycles.

What environmental engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Neal O'Reilly Ph.D.

Director, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Within the federal government agencies, like the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Forestry Service, National Parks, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Geological Survey, and many state agencies such as the state’s Departments of Natural Resources, there are many people of retirement age that will be leaving in the next few years. These retirements will open a lot of opportunities for qualified graduates. I believe that jobs will be available in all regions of the country. The key will be for graduates to build their resume, through internships and volunteer opportunities, to show they have the skills for these positions.

What type of skills will young environmental engineers need?

Meghann Jarchow Ph.D.

Chair, Associate Professor, University of South Dakota

The field of sustainability is broad, and as such, there is a diversity of skillsets that can aid young graduates in finding that first job after graduation. There are many careers within sustainability where there is a growing demand for computer skills, such as programming and geospatial analysis. Environmental and social issues are incredibly complicated and require massive amounts of data to analyze, and computers are an essential tool to help understand these data. Strong interpersonal skills, including teamwork and written and oral communication, are incredibly crucial in other fields.

What technical skills for an environmental engineer stand out to employers?

Carl Rosen

Professor and Department Head, University of Minnesota

A basic understanding of soil science and plant science is important. However many employers also indicate that an understanding of fundamental sciences, such as physics and chemistry and basic skills in math are also important. Some employers (mostly large industry) also would like the students to have experience abroad - the ability to understand and communicate across cultures. Most employers also desire various professional skills - good verbal and written communication, good work habits and work ethic, and ability to be creative and problem solve.

Do you want to know more?

List of environmental engineer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for an environmental engineer resume and required skills for an environmental engineer to have include:

Environmental Compliance
Project Management
OSHA
Autocad
HAZWOPER
Environmental Regulations
Management System
Regulatory Agencies
Cost Estimates
Data Collection
Technical Reports
Storm Water
GIS
EPA
Water Quality
Air Quality

Federal Regulations
Technical Support
Conveyance
RCRA
Remediation Projects
EHS
Regulatory Compliance
Construction Projects
Pollution Prevention
Data Analysis
Environmental Programs
Environmental Projects
Environmental Issues
Hazardous Materials
SPCC
Treatment Plant

Geotechnical
Surface Water
ISO
DOD
Corrective Action
Air Emissions
Extraction
Title V
NPDES
Ground Water
Environmental Policy
Environmental Training
Oil Gas
Environmental Site Assessments
Rehabilitation
Recordkeeping

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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