Become A Wastewater Project Engineer
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Working As A Wastewater Project Engineer
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Getting Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Interacting With Computers
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
$85,850
Average Salary
What Does A Wastewater Project Engineer Do At Tetra Tech
What Does A Wastewater Project Engineer Do At City of Seattle
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How To Become A Wastewater Project Engineer
Civil engineers need a bachelor’s degree. They typically need a graduate degree and licensure for promotion to senior positions. Although licensure requirements vary within the United States, civil engineers usually must be licensed in the locations where they provide services directly to the public.
EducationCivil engineers need a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, in one of its specialties, or in civil engineering technology. Programs in civil engineering and civil engineering technology include coursework in math, statistics, engineering mechanics and systems, and fluid dynamics, among other courses, depending on the specialty. Courses include a mix of traditional classroom learning, work in laboratories, and fieldwork.
A degree from a program accredited by the ABET is needed in order to earn the professional engineer (PE) license. In many states, a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering technology also will suffice as an academic requirement for obtaining a license.
About 1 in 4 civil engineers has a master’s degree. Further education after the bachelor’s degree, along with the PE license and previous experience, is helpful in getting a job as a manager. For more information on engineering managers, see the profile on architectural and engineering managers.
Important QualitiesDecisionmaking skills. Civil engineers often balance multiple and frequently conflicting objectives, such as determining the feasibility of plans with regard to financial costs and safety concerns. Urban and regional planners often look to civil engineers for advice on these issues. Civil engineers must be able to make good decisions based on best practices, their own technical knowledge, and their own experience.
Leadership skills. Civil engineers take ultimate responsibility for the projects that they manage or research that they perform. Therefore, they must be able to lead planners, surveyors, construction managers, civil engineering technicians, civil engineering technologists, and others in implementing their project plan.
Math skills. Civil engineers use the principles of calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced topics in mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work.
Organizational skills. Only licensed civil engineers can sign the design documents for infrastructure projects. This requirement makes it imperative that civil engineers be able to monitor and evaluate the work at the jobsite as a project progresses. That way, they can ensure compliance with the design documents. Civil engineers also often manage several projects at the same time, and thus must be able to balance time needs and to effectively allocate resources.
Problem-solving skills. Civil engineers work at the highest level of the planning, design, construction, and operation of multifaceted projects or research. The many variables involved require that they possess the ability to identify and evaluate complex problems. They must be able to then utilize their skill and training to develop cost-effective, safe, and efficient solutions.
Speaking skills. Civil engineers must present reports and plans to audiences of people with a wide range of backgrounds and technical knowledge. This requires the ability to speak clearly and to converse with people in various settings, and to translate engineering and scientific information into easy to understand concepts.
Writing skills. Civil engineers must be able to communicate with others, such as architects, landscape architects, and urban and regional planners. They also must be able to explain projects to elected officials and citizens. This means that civil engineers must be able to write reports that are clear, concise, and understandable to those with little or no technical or scientific background.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsLicensure is not required for entry-level positions as a civil engineer. A Professional Engineering (PE) license, which allows for higher levels of leadership and independence, can be acquired later in one’s career. Licensed engineers are called professional engineers (PEs). A PE can oversee the work of other engineers, approve design plans, sign off on projects, and provide services directly to the public. State licensure generally requires
- A degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program
- A passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
- Relevant work experience, typically at least 4 years working under a licensed engineer
- A passing score on the Professional Engineering (PE) exam
The initial FE exam can be taken after earning a bachelor’s degree. Engineers who pass this exam commonly are called engineers in training (EITs) or engineer interns (EIs). After meeting work experience requirements, EITs and EIs can take the second exam, called the Principles and Practice of Engineering.
Each state issues its own licenses. Most states recognize licensure from other states, as long as the licensing state’s requirements meet or exceed their own licensure requirements. Several states require continuing education for engineers to keep their licenses.
AdvancementCivil engineers with ample experience may move into senior positions, such as project managers or functional managers of design, construction, operation, or maintenance. However, they would first need to obtain the Professional Engineering (PE) license, because only licensed engineers can assume responsibilities for public projects.
After gaining licensure, a professional engineer may seek credentialing that attests to his or her expertise in a civil engineering specialty. Such a credential may be of help for advancement to senior technical or even managerial positions.
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Wastewater Project Engineer jobs
Wastewater Project Engineer Typical Career Paths
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Facilities Project Engineer 3.8 years
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Project Engineer 3.4 years
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Water Project Engineer 2.6 years
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Associate Project Engineer 2.6 years
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Wastewater Process Engineer 2.6 years
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Contract Project Engineer 1.8 years
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Wastewater Project Engineer 1.0 years
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Internship 28.6%
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Certified Instructor 14.3%
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Laboratory Aide 14.3%
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Process Engineer 14.3%
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Building Inspector 14.3%
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Project Engineer 14.3%
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Site Engineer 5.3%
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Development Manager 5.3%
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Senior Technologist 5.3%
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Renovator 5.3%
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Teaching Assistant 5.3%
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Research Assistant 5.3%
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Field Engineer 5.3%
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Director 5.3%
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Project Team Lead 5.3%
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Project Engineer 5.3%
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Civil Engineer 5.3%
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Planning Specialist 5.3%
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Site Manager 5.3%
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Computer Teacher 5.3%
Average Length of Employment
Top Careers Before Wastewater Project Engineer
Top Careers After Wastewater Project Engineer
Wastewater Project Engineer Demographics
Gender
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Male
71.4% -
Unknown
14.3% -
Female
14.3%
Ethnicity
-
White
45.8% -
Hispanic or Latino
21.0% -
Asian
21.0% -
Unknown
10.7% -
Black or African American
1.4%
Wastewater Project Engineer
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Wastewater Project Engineer Education
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University of New Orleans
16.7% -
University of Colorado at Boulder
16.7% -
University of Vermont
16.7% -
University of Maine
16.7% -
University of Tennessee - Knoxville
16.7% -
State University of New York at Binghamton
16.7% -
Civil Engineering 33.3%
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Mechanical Engineering 33.3%
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Engineering Science 16.7%
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Chemical Engineering 16.7%
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Bachelors
83.3% -
Doctorate
16.7%
Schools
Majors
Degrees
Wastewater Project Engineer
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Real Wastewater Project Engineer Salaries
Job Title
|
Company
|
Location
|
Start Date
|
Salary
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water/Wastewater Project Engineer | HDR Engineering, Inc. | Olympia, WA | Nov 12, 2016 | $110,011 |
| Water/Wastewater Project Engineer | HDR Engineering, Inc. | Bellevue, WA | Nov 02, 2009 | $90,272 |
| Water/Wastewater Project Engineer | HDR Engineering, Inc. | Calverton, MD | Oct 01, 2014 | $88,712 |
| Water/Wastewater Project Engineer | HDR Engineering, Inc. | Calverton, MD | May 21, 2015 | $87,027 |
| Water/Wastewater-Project Engineer | Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. | Elmwood Park, NJ | Jan 12, 2014 | $83,500 |
| Water/Wastewater Project Engineer | HDR Engineering, Inc. | Calverton, MD | Oct 05, 2012 | $80,000 |
| Water/Wastewater Project Engineer | HDR Engineering, Inc. | Silver Spring, MD | May 14, 2012 | $80,000 |
| Water/Wastewater Project Engineer | HDR Engineering, Inc. | Minneapolis, MN | Jan 08, 2012 | $77,168 |
| Water/Wastewater-Project Engineer | Langan Engineering &Amp; Environmental Services, I | Elmwood Park, NJ | Jan 12, 2011 | $70,750 |
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Top Skills for A Wastewater Project Engineer
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Top Wastewater Project Engineer Skills
- Process Flow Diagrams
- Cost Analysis
- Instrumentation Diagrams
- Provided on-site pilot and full scale activated sludge wastewater treatment plant start-up services including operator training.
- Developed and modified plans for various treatment plant systems.
- Reviewed and edited specifications for various projects.
- Reduced excessive levels of NMP (corrosive chemical compound) for non-consumption usage.
- Performed trade studies, detailing cost analyses of different treatment options.