Water/Wastewater Engineer

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  Career Profile

Water/Wastewater Engineer

What they do

Design or oversee projects involving provision of potable water, disposal of wastewater and sewage, or prevention of flood-related damage. Prepare environmental documentation for water resources, regulatory program compliance, data management and analysis, and field work. Perform hydraulic modeling and pipeline design.

Also Called: Consulting Engineer, County Engineer, Engineer, Project Development Engineer, Consulting Engineer, County Engineer, Engineer, Project Development Engineer

$63,220
Starting Salary (2023)
$95,890
Median Salary (2023)
5.0%
Projected Job Growth
327,950
Employment (2022)

Typical Tasks

Design sludge treatment plants.
Provide technical direction or supervision to junior engineers, engineering or computer-aided design (CAD) technicians, or other technical personnel.
Conduct feasibility studies for the construction of facilities, such as water supply systems, runoff collection networks, water and wastewater treatment plants, or wastewater collection systems.
Analyze and recommend sludge treatment or disposal methods.
Design domestic or industrial water or wastewater treatment plants, including advanced facilities with sequencing batch reactors (SBR), membranes, lift stations, headworks, surge overflow basins, ultraviolet disinfection systems, aerobic digesters, sludge lagoons, or control buildings.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Realistic
Practical, Physical Work
Investigative
Studying, Research based work
Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Analytical Thinking
Attention to Detail
Integrity
Dependability
Cooperation
Initiative

What key skills are needed for this job?

Reading Comprehension
Writing
Critical Thinking
Judgment and Decision Making
Systems Analysis
Systems Evaluation

Expected Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Common Activities

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

More Info

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