Water/Wastewater Engineers

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.

On the job, you would:

Provide technical direction or supervision to junior engineers, engineering or computer-aided design (CAD) technicians, or other technical personnel.
Review and critique proposals, plans, or designs related to water or wastewater treatment systems.
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.

Personality

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Characteristics of this Career
		89%	Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
		88%	Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
		86%	Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
		85%	Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
		82%	Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
		79%	Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
		74%	Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
		72%	Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
		71%	Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
		70%	Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
		68%	Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
		62%	Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
		62%	Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
		54%	Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
		52%	Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Strengths
		89%	Investigative - Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
		78%	Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Values of the Work Environment
		89%	Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
		81%	Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
		72%	Recognition - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
		72%	Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Aptitude

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Abilities \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		75%	Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
		75%	Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
		75%	Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
		75%	Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
		75%	Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
		75%	Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
		75%	Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
		72%	Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
		72%	Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
		72%	Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
		69%	Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
		69%	Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
		69%	Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
		69%	Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
		66%	Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
		60%	Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
		56%	Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
		56%	Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
		53%	Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
		53%	Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Skills \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		68%	Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
		64%	Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
		63%	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
		59%	Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
		59%	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
		59%	Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
		59%	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
		59%	Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
		57%	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
		57%	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
		57%	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
		57%	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
		57%	Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
		55%	Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
		55%	Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
		54%	Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
		52%	Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
		52%	Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
		52%	Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

Job Details

Responsibilities

Prepare technical or operational reports.

Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.

Advise others regarding green practices or environmental concerns.

Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.

Provide technical guidance to other personnel.

Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.

Develop technical methods or processes.

Prepare detailed work plans.

Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.

Design civil structures or systems.

Investigate the environmental impact of projects.

Create models of engineering designs or methods.

Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.

Direct environmental development activities.

Research advanced engineering designs or applications.

Investigate the environmental impact of projects.

Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects.

Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.

Analyze physical, survey, or geographic data.

Advise others regarding green practices or environmental concerns.

Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.

Design structures or facilities.

Design civil structures or systems.

Design industrial processing systems.

Design civil structures or systems.

Design industrial processing systems.

Design civil structures or systems.

Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency.

Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent
		99%	Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
		94%	Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
		92%	Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
		84%	Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
		84%	Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
		79%	Spend Time Sitting - How much does this job require sitting?
		79%	Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
		74%	Letters and Memos - How often does the job require written letters and memos?
		72%	Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
		72%	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
		71%	Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
		68%	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
		68%	Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
		65%	Level of Competition - To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
		64%	Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
		61%	Deal With External Customers - How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
		60%	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
		57%	Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
		54%	Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
		52%	In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment - How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?
		83%	Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Tasks & Values
		89%	Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		88%	Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		86%	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		85%	Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
		83%	Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
		81%	Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
		81%	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
		79%	Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
		77%	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
		74%	Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
		73%	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		73%	Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
		72%	Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
		72%	Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
		71%	Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
		71%	Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
		70%	Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
		69%	Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
		66%	Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
		65%	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		64%	Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
		64%	Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
		64%	Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
		63%	Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
		63%	Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
		60%	Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
		57%	Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
		56%	Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
		56%	Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Getting Started

Education:

70%

Bachelor's Degree

26%

Master's Degree

Water/Wastewater Engineers

What they do:

On the job, you would:

Personality

Characteristics of this Career

Strengths

Values of the Work Environment

Aptitude

Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality

Skills | Cognitive, Physical, Personality

Job Details

Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent

Tasks & Values

Getting Started