Environmental Engineering
Position Overview
The Department of the Interior is tasked with the stewardship and responsible management of the nation’s public lands, natural resources, and species and their habitats.
Environmental engineers ensure DOI meets this mission by assessing the environmental impact of activities such as construction or natural resource development.
This position is represented at the following bureaus
Bureau of Indian Affairs Bureau of Land Management Bureau of Reclamation Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement National Park Service U.
S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Geological Survey
Candidate Description
The ideal candidate is a tenacious person who can apply their professional engineering knowledge to solving complicated problems across multiple systems as part of a team.
The issues addressed by environmental engineers are multi-faceted and directly impact the mission of the Department, so they must possess a keen attention to detail, a knack for problem solving, and should be an effective communicator.
Specialty Areas
Air Pollution / Control; Contamination Sites; Mining / Industrial Operations; Regulatory Compliance (e.g., National Environmental Protection Act);
Restoration; Sustainability; Wastewater; Waste Systems; Water Systems
Work Environment
Work is performed primarily in an office setting, with occasional field and site visits.
Minimum Education Requirements
Please see the and the Professional and Scientific Positions on the OPM websites.
Career Level Requirements
Responsibilities by Level
Journey :
Assesses existing or potential environmental impact of land use projects on air, water, or land Conducts or coordinates environmental impact audits;
Designs systems, processes, or equipment for control, management, or remediation of water, air, or soil quality Recommends actions necessary to preempt the occurrence of environmental statutory violations and to achieve compliance Develops, manages, and executes environmental initiatives
Strengths by Level
Journey 12-13
Accountability Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work.
Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules. Show Tool Tip Journey 12-13
- Attention to Detail Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. Show Tool Tip Journey 12-13
- Customer Service Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations;
knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services. Show Tool Tip Journey 12-13
Flexibility Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles;
effectively deals with ambiguity. Show Tool Tip Journey 12-13
Interpersonal Skills Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
Show Tool Tip Journey 12-13
Learning Uses efficient learning techniques to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills; uses training, feedback, or other opportunities for self-learning and development.
Show Tool Tip Journey 12-13
Oral Communication Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial);
makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
Show Tool Tip Journey 12-13
Problem Solving Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
Show Tool Tip Journey 12-13
Project Management Knowledge of the principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources, including monitoring and inspecting costs, work, and contractor performance.
Show Tool Tip Journey 12-13
Resilience Deals effectively with pressure; remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity. Recovers quickly from setbacks.
Show Tool Tip Journey 12-13
Teaching Others Helps others learn through formal or informal methods; identifies training needs; provides constructive feedback;
coaches others on how to perform tasks; acts as a mentor. Show Tool Tip Journey 12-13
Teamwork Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit;
works with others to achieve goals. Show Tool Tip Journey 12-13
Technical Competence Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job;
works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. Show Tool Tip Journey 12-13
Writing Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner;
produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience. Show Tool Tip Journey 12-13
Common Pathways
Candidates who made this career change most commonly held these occupations...
Civil Engineering
Miscellaneous Administration and Program
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