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Sanitary Engineer

Occupation Information table
Overview: Sanitary engineers design and direct the construction and operation of hygienic projects such as waterworks, sewage, garbage, and trash disposal plants. Plants may produce fertilizers and electric energy by the incineration of waste. Design of plants must meet government regulations.
Duties: They analyze operating methods of business firms and public facilities in order to determine their needs for safe disposal of waste products such as sewage, garbage, trash and waste water.

Design and propose systems for disposal and treatment of waste products. They estimate the costs and manage the system construction by subcontractors.

Plan the development of watersheds and the construction of aquaducts, filtration plants and storage and distribution systems for water supplies. They direct swamp drainage projects.

Design and control the operation of incinerators, sanitary fills, and garbage reduction plants. Advise industrial plants in the reduction of obnoxious gases. They inspect public facilities.
Degree(s): A.S. Engineering Science 
Job Outlook: Employment in this field is projected to grow 5% to 8% percent from 2014 to 2024, which matches the average growth rate for all occupations.
Salary Range (National Average): $40,000 to $45,000
Growth: Growth
Green: Green Career
Education Level: Typically, a Bachelor’s Degree from a 4-year college (some are 5 years) is required to be considered for this occupation.
Additional Training/Education: A bachelor's degree from an accredited engineering program specializing in environmental engineering and sanitation is the typical requirement for entry positions. Courses in civil engineering, industrial health and safety, and computer-aided design are essential. All states require certification by passing a written examination.
Advancement Info: Beginning engineering graduates usually work under the supervision of experienced engineers and, in large companies, also may receive formal classroom or seminar-type training. As new engineers gain knowledge and experience, they are assigned more difficult projects with greater independence to develop designs, solve problems, and make decisions. Engineers may advance to become technical specialists or to supervise a staff or team of engineers and technicians. Some may eventually become engineering managers or enter other managerial or sales jobs.
Recommended Skills:
  • Weighing out the options in a situation or a problem and logically choosing the best course of action.
  • Paying attention to what other people are saying, and taking time to understand the points being made.
  • Using mathematics and/or statistics to solve problems.
  • Ability to identify a problem, review related information, develop and evaluate options, and implement a solution.
  • The ability to understand complex written paragraphs, instructions, or reports.
  • Using logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Using scientific methods to investigate and conduct experiments.
Recommended Values:
  • Having the ability to work with equipment or material things.
  • Having a job where you can spend a significant amount of time outside.
  • Doing something where you can physically see the results of your work.
  • Create new ideas, programs, things, or anything else not previously developed by another person.
  • Having a level of income that will afford you with luxuries, and which will allow you to become financially independent.
  • Being able to decide on how to get something done without significant direction from someone else.
 

* National data collected by the Department of Labor in 2014 with projections through 2024. For New York green job information .

* For New York salary data information .

* For New York green job information .

Understanding acquiring positions in this field may be enhanced through continuing academic study (i.e. earning a baccalaureate or a master's degree) and/or work experience in the field, Queensborough Community College has established transfer agreements with other institutions for students who wish to further pursue their educational goals. Students are highly encouraged to meet with one of our Career Services to fully understand the opportunities available through study in their degree program.