What does a sanitary engineer do?
Sanitary engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real sanitary engineer resumes:
- Manage the design process for numerous infrastructure projects.
- Manage a geotechnical investigation that include determining boring locations and soliciting bids.
- Coordinate with landfill maintenance staff for close landfill maintenance and regulatory compliance activities.
- Up to that moment, the sole remedy systematically propose for such landfill sites are capping.
- Perform janitorial and basic maintenance service repairs in the areas of plumbing, carpentry, painting, plastering and electrical.
- Supervise rehabilitation of old packaging line including mechanical, civil, electrical and electronics works.
- Project leader for rehabilitation of large diameter irrigation pipe projects.
Sanitary engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 22% of Sanitary Engineers are proficient in Plumbing, Cost Estimates, and Site Inspections. They’re also known for soft skills such as Physical strength, Time-management skills, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Sanitary Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Plumbing, 22%
Completed maintenance on: dry wall and painting; minor electrical and ballast replacement; light carpentry and plumbing.
- Cost Estimates, 18%
Prepared and validated quantity and cost estimates of different community water projects assisted by UNICEF.
- Site Inspections, 15%
Conducted site inspections, site investigations, and sampling of soil, groundwater, and air quality.
- Water Quality Data, 9%
Conducted field audits and reviewed water quality data to assess compliance with operating permits.
- Water Discharge, 6%
Established numerical effluent limits for water discharge permits.
- Water Mains, 5%
Supervised replacements of water mains on Annapolis Road Water Rehabilitation Project.
Most sanitary engineers use their skills in "plumbing," "cost estimates," and "site inspections" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential sanitary engineer responsibilities here:
Physical strength. The most essential soft skill for a sanitary engineer to carry out their responsibilities is physical strength. This skill is important for the role because "janitors and building cleaners often must lift and move heavy cleaning materials and equipment." Additionally, a sanitary engineer resume shows how their duties depend on physical strength: "preformed daily building maintenance in all areas of physical plant. "
Time-management skills. Another essential skill to perform sanitary engineer duties is time-management skills. Sanitary engineers responsibilities require that "janitors and building cleaners must plan and complete tasks in a timely manner." Sanitary engineers also use time-management skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "completed thirteen (13) construction projects on time and within budget. "
Mechanical skills. sanitary engineers are also known for mechanical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to sanitary engineer responsibilities, because "janitors and building cleaners need to understand general building operations and should be able to make routine repairs, such as to leaky faucets." A sanitary engineer resume example shows how mechanical skills is used in the workplace: "licensed electrical engineer for this mechanical hvac design/build firm. "
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Sanitary engineer vs. Carpet technician
A floor technician's role is to maintain the cleanliness and sanitation of various areas within an establishment. Their responsibilities include operating cleaning equipment, conducting minimal repairs and inventory checks, arranging furniture and fixtures, organizing supplies, and keeping floors free from obstructions. There are also instances where they must replenish soap or tissue dispensers, use strong chemicals, and even dispose of hazardous waste. Furthermore, a floor technician follows directives from managers or supervisors, reporting to them should there be any issues.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a sanitary engineer are more likely to require skills like "plumbing," "cost estimates," "engineering reports," and "site inspections." On the other hand, a job as a carpet technician requires skills like "upholstery," "customer service," "clean carpets," and "carpet care." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Carpet technicians tend to reach lower levels of education than sanitary engineers. In fact, carpet technicians are 7.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Sanitary engineer vs. Floor technician
A custodian, also referred to as janitor, is responsible for maintaining cleanliness and helping protect all facilities. Custodians make sure everything is clean, neat, in order, and free from clutter and safe. They perform routine maintenance tasks and heavy cleaning duties. They do everyday things to sweep floors, mop, scrub, vacuum, collect and empty trash, dust furniture, walls, and equipment. They mix solutions and chemicals in containers based on proportions for disinfecting windows, mirrors, and other partitions requiring cleaning. Some also do minor building maintenance and light repairs, while others are exposed to biohazardous materials.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that sanitary engineer responsibilities requires skills like "plumbing," "cost estimates," "engineering reports," and "site inspections." But a floor technician might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "extraction," "patients," "safety guidelines," and "safety precautions."
Floor technicians earn a lower average salary than sanitary engineers. But floor technicians earn the highest pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $31,091. Additionally, sanitary engineers earn the highest salaries in the health care with average pay of $81,773 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Floor technicians tend to reach lower levels of education than sanitary engineers. In fact, they're 7.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Sanitary engineer vs. Custodian
A floor care specialist is in charge of the maintenance of floors in public or private establishments. They typically ensure the cleanliness of floors by sweeping, dry and wet mopping, disinfecting areas, extracting or sanitizing carpets, vacuuming, and scrubbing bathroom floors. They may also participate in installing or refinishing floor tiles, preparing facilities, and re-arranging furniture. Moreover, a floor care specialist must maintain the cleanliness of floors while maintaining an active communication line with co-workers and managers for a smooth and efficient workflow.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, sanitary engineers are more likely to have skills like "cost estimates," "engineering reports," "site inspections," and "water quality data." But a custodian is more likely to have skills like "cleanliness," "work ethic," "customer service," and "building floors."
Custodians make a very good living in the education industry with an average annual salary of $31,075. On the other hand, sanitary engineers are paid the highest salary in the health care industry, with average annual pay of $81,773.When it comes to education, custodians tend to earn lower degree levels compared to sanitary engineers. In fact, they're 6.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Sanitary engineer vs. Floor care specialist
Even though a few skill sets overlap between sanitary engineers and floor care specialists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a sanitary engineer might have more use for skills like "plumbing," "cost estimates," "engineering reports," and "site inspections." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of floor care specialists require skills like "patients," "home health," "floor care," and "rehabilitation. "
Floor care specialists enjoy the best pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $34,345. For comparison, sanitary engineers earn the highest salary in the health care industry.floor care specialists reach similar levels of education compared to sanitary engineers, in general. The difference is that they're 1.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of sanitary engineer
Updated January 8, 2025











