Environmental Engineer Spotlight

Environmental Engineers work on the inside of the oil and gas industry to find new ways to responsibly meet energy needs. They can specialize in a specific area such as air, water or waste management.

What a typical day looks like:

Environmental Engineers can often be found in an office setting, participating in meetings or investigating environmental data. They ask the hard questions and identify environmental concerns. They look at future project proposals and advise on environmental effects. They collect data, do research and write environmental investigation reports or feasibility studies. They apply for permits and incorporate provincial and federal regulations into project planning. They often ensure that all of a company’s projects, including building and development projects, are meeting or exceeding regulations.

It’s not all about being in the office looking at a computer though. Environmental Engineers meet with a broad set of internal and external stakeholders, such as regulatory agents, contractors and internal staff to ensure activities meet environmental objectives and to share ideas and data. They could also be called upon to put on their steel-toed boots and hard hat and travel to industry sites to gather samples or view conditions first-hand. Regardless of the location, they work well with others and share information readily.

Environmental Engineers are typically employed in the exploration and production (E&P), oil sands and pipeline sectors of the oil and gas industry, and usually work standard weekday hours in an office environment.

The kinds of problems Environmental Engineers solve at work:

Environmental Engineers are problem-solvers who are always looking for ways to improve environmental performance. Depending on their area of specialty, this could include coordinating waste management and recycling activities at operation and production sites or monitoring emissions and inspecting operations. They may look for ways to conserve energy and water or tackle critical issues regarding sanitation, filtration systems, climate change, wastewater and land use.

Skills used most on the job:

Environmental engineers use math and science along with skills in communications and critical thinking to find practical solutions that benefit habitats, communities and the environment. They are organized critical thinkers who understand the laws and regulatory requirements in their area.

Environmental Engineers bring together scientific knowledge with design to find ways to reduce environmental impacts. Their ideas push the environmental envelope while still being technically and economically feasible. The possibilities are endless.