聚光灯
Environmental Engineer, Air Quality Engineer, Air Quality Specialist, Environmental Compliance Engineer, Emissions Control Engineer, Environmental Health and Safety Engineer, Clean Air Specialist, Air Quality Analyst, Environmental Consultant (with a focus on air quality), Air Pollution Control Specialist
Air pollution is not only a huge and expensive problem, but it’s also everyone’s problem. Over 1/3rd of Americans “live in places with unhealthy levels of air pollution,” according to the American Lung Association. And if we don’t address it, that’ll extend to the rest of us eventually.
Poor air quality can lead to or contribute to a range of medical conditions like asthma, cardiovascular disease, metabolic problems, and issues with our nervous and reproductive systems.
Industries known for impacting air quality include energy production, transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, and more. Organizations in such industries use Air Pollution Control Engineers to design and implement systems that reduce harmful emissions, helping to ensure that industries can comply with air quality standards.
As a specialized type of environmental engineer, Air Pollution Control Engineers also identify sources of pollution, optimize control systems, and check that emissions aren’t exceeding legal limits. Their work safeguards public health and the environment while enabling industries to continue operations in a safer, more eco-friendly manner!
- Play a vital role in protecting public health and the environment
- Ensure adherence to air quality regulations and standards
- Contribute to sustainable industrial practices and environmental conservation
工作日程
Air Pollution Control Engineers work full-time with overtime required for urgent projects or compliance deadlines. Travel may be necessary for onsite evaluations and system implementations.
典型职责
- Conduct site inspections and audits; check emission sources and control systems
- Collect samples of soil, water, and gas, following Environmental Protection Agency guidelines
- Analyze and interpret environmental data using modeling, simulation tools, and Geographic Information Systems. Look for contaminants and pollutants
- Identify potential safety hazards and environmental risks. Ensure safe levels of air quality
- Collaborate with other engineers, scientists, and regulatory bodies
- Design and oversee the installation of air pollution control systems
- Develop strategies for reducing air pollutants such as greenhouse gases
- Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal air quality regulations
- Prepare documentation and reports for regulatory compliance
- Develop training programs on air quality management and pollution control
- Train and supervise newer technicians
额外责任
- Provide technical expertise on air quality impact assessments
- Calibrate test instrument
- Support investigations of incidents and accidents; determine root causes and recommend preventive measures
- Research trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies
软技能
技术技能
- Air quality management and pollution control technologies
- Emergency response
- Engineering principles and practices
- Environmental monitoring, sampling, data collection, and analysis tools and techniques
- 环境法规和合规措施
- Environmental reporting tools
- 地理信息系统(GIS)
- Mobile and stationary sensors
- 项目管理
- 报告撰写和演示
- Safety and health assessment techniques
- Tools for data analysis, statistical modeling, and environmental modeling
- Agricultural organizations
- 能源公司
- 环境咨询公司
- Government regulatory agencies (federal, state, and local)
- Manufacturing plants
- Public Utilities
- 研究机构
- Transportation authorities
Air Pollution Control Engineers may work in industrial settings, exposed to pollutants and hazardous conditions. They must closely follow protocols to avoid mishaps and ensure their health and safety.
Persistence, patience, and strong communication skills are needed to tackle industry challenges related to air quality issues. The health and welfare of workers, communities, and the environment are at stake, so they have to be diligent and effective to make a real impact.
Because technology and policies continue to evolve, they must strive to keep up with the changes through continuous learning.
In recent years, there’s been a lot of public and governmental pressure to protect the environment more—including our air quality! One initiative is the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Air Toxic Trends Sites network to assess trends and emission reduction program effectiveness.
A major goal is reducing criteria pollutants (carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide) that pose serious health and environmental risks. Air Pollution Control Engineers are at the forefront of that push to reduce these harmful elements from our air by implementing regulations and using advanced tools like remote sensing for more precise monitoring.
AI has also been incorporated into the field, requiring engineers to update their tech skills so they can maximize the power of these new tools!
从事这一职业的人在年轻时喜欢做什么样的事情......
Students who become Air Pollution Control Engineers often have an interest in the natural world and environmental conservation. They might have loved science clubs, running around outdoors, and being involved with community-based sustainability projects. Many were interested in biology, chemistry, and environmental studies from an early age.
Students who become Air Pollution Control Engineers often have an interest in the natural world and environmental conservation. They might have loved science clubs, running around outdoors, and being involved with community-based sustainability projects. Many were interested in biology, chemistry, and environmental studies from an early age.
- Air Pollution Control Engineers usually need a bachelor’s degree in environmental or chemical engineering. Some positions require a master’s degree
- 相关课程可包括
- Air Pollution Control
- 空气质量管理
- Climate Change and Adaptation Measures
- Ecological Engineering
- Emission Control Technologies
- Environmental Chemistry
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Environmental Microbiology
- 危险废物管理
- 热力学
- Water and Wastewater Treatment
- Hands-on experience through internships or cooperative engineering programs is highly beneficial
- Engineers may go on to take the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, earn a National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying’s Engineer In Training certification, and pursue a National Society of Professional Engineers’ Professional Engineer license
- Workers may need a valid driver’s license to travel to job sites
- Look for ABET-accredited schools offering programs in environmental or chemical engineering
- 在决定是否报名参加校内、网上或混合课程时,要考虑你的时间安排和灵活性。
- Seek programs with internship or cooperative education opportunities
- 考虑学费、折扣和当地奖学金的机会(除联邦援助外)。
- Look for programs that collaborate with external partners, which can augment your learning experience
- 审查毕业率和毕业后就业安置统计数据
- Participate in science and engineering clubs to gain practical skills
- Look for environmental projects to learn about air quality issues
- Focus on courses in mathematics, chemistry, physics, and environmental science
- Considering doing a pre-apprenticeship program in high school to gain practical hands-on experience where you can apply principles in the real world
- Seek mentorship or shadowing opportunities with air pollution professionals
- Ask a seasoned Air Pollution Control Engineer to do an informational interview with you, or see if you can shadow them at work for a day
- Get a part-time job related to air quality (such as an Air Quality Technician)
- Watch videos and read blogs like Airly and AirNow to stay informed about industry trends. Additional blogs include:
- 查看就业门户网站上发布的职位说明,以确定最新的工作资格和您可能感兴趣的专业领域
- Engage in air quality-related discussion groups like r/AirQuality on Reddit or other forums
- Join professional organizations like the National Association of Clean Air Agencies
- Apply for engineering scholarships or apprenticeships
- Keep track of work and academic accomplishments for your resume and college applications
- Upload your resume on job portals like Indeed, SimplyHired, Monster, USAJobs, ZipRecruiter, and Glassdoor
- Sign up for alerts so you won’t miss it when a new job is posted
- 查看招聘广告,寻找可在简历中列出的关键字,如
- Air Pollution Control Engineering
- Air Quality Analysis
- Air Sampling Techniques
- Atmospheric Science
- Carbon Footprint Analysis
- Emission Control Technologies
- Emission Inventory
- Environmental Auditing
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Environmental Risk Assessment
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- 危险废物管理
- 工业卫生
- Pollution Monitoring
- Review Air Pollution Control Engineer resume templates and sample interview questions
- Ask your school to connect you with recruiters. Take advantage of chances to intern with environmental safety-related organizations
- 联系学校的就业中心,获得简历帮助,进行模拟面试,了解即将举行的招聘会
- Do your research on potential large employers, such as:
- 在面试中,表现出对行业趋势的敏锐认识
- 面试时穿着专业
- Ask previous professors and supervisors to write a recommendation
letters or request their consent (in advance) to list them as references
网站
- 工程和技术认证委员会
- Air & Waste Management Association
- Air Knowledge
- Airly
- AirNow
- Air Pollution News
- Air Quality News
- AirQualityNews.com
- 美国环境工程师和科学家学会
- 美国工程教育协会
- Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies
- 美国疾病控制和预防中心
- 临床实验室工作人员协调委员会
- 工业工程理事会
- Daily Dose Of Air Pollution
- 能源部
- 环境保护局
- Environmental Science.org
- Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard
- Indoor Air Quality
- 工程与技术学院
- International Society of Exposure Science
- 全国环境管理协会
- National Association of Clean Air Agencies
- 全国环境专业人员协会
- 国家公共卫生考试委员会
- 全国工程和测量师考试委员会
- 全国环境卫生协会
- National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council
- 国家工程技术认证研究所
- 国家职业安全与健康研究所
- 美国国立卫生研究院
- National Radon Safety Board
- 国家环境专业人员登记处
- 国家安全委员会
- 全国专业工程师协会
- 职业安全与健康管理局
- 环境毒理学与化学学会
- 美国农业部
书籍
- Air Quality, by Wayne T. Davis, et al.
- Choked: Life and Breath in the Age of Air Pollution, by Beth Gardiner
- Climate Restoration: The Only Future That Will Sustain the Human Race, by Peter Fiekowsky and Carole Douglis
Air Pollution Control Engineers play a crucial role in guiding sustainable practices and policies to protect our natural world for future generations. But if this career field isn’t grabbing your interest, consider a few related fields that may also aid the environment, such as:
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialist
- 化学工程师
- 土木工程师
- Climate Change Analyst
- 保护科学家
- Emission Trading Specialist
- 环境合规督察
- 环境顾问
- Environmental Engineering Technologist
- Environmental Policy Advisor
- 环境科学家
- 水文学家
- 工业生态学家
- Industrial Hygienist
- 机械工程师
- Natural Sciences Manager
- 项目管理专家
- 水/废水工程师
- 水资源专家