# Tasks & work activities — water engineer

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 11-9121.02 (Water Resource Specialists).

## Task statements

- **[Core]** Supervise teams of workers who capture water from wells and rivers.
- **[Core]** Review or evaluate designs for water detention facilities, storm drains, flood control facilities, or other hydraulic structures.
- **[Core]** Negotiate for water rights with communities or water facilities to meet water supply demands.
- **[Core]** Perform hydrologic, hydraulic, or water quality modeling.
- **[Core]** Compile water resource data, using geographic information systems (GIS) or global position systems (GPS) software.
- **[Core]** Compile and maintain documentation on the health of a body of water.
- **[Core]** Write proposals, project reports, informational brochures, or other documents on wastewater purification, water supply and demand, or other water resource subjects.
- **[Core]** Recommend new or revised policies, procedures, or regulations to support water resource or conservation goals.
- **[Core]** Provide technical expertise to assist communities in the development or implementation of storm water monitoring or other water programs.
- **[Core]** Present water resource proposals to government, public interest groups, or community groups.
- **[Core]** Monitor water use, demand, or quality in a particular geographic area.
- **[Core]** Identify and characterize specific causes or sources of water pollution.
- **[Core]** Develop plans to protect watershed health or rehabilitate watersheds.
- **[Core]** Develop or implement standardized water monitoring and assessment methods.
- **[Core]** Conduct technical studies for water resources on topics such as pollutants and water treatment options.
- **[Core]** Conduct, or oversee the conduct of, investigations on matters such as water storage, wastewater discharge, pollutants, permits, or other compliance and regulatory issues.
- **[Core]** Conduct cost-benefit studies for watershed improvement projects or water management alternatives.
- **[Core]** Analyze storm water systems to identify opportunities for water resource improvements.
- **[Core]** Develop strategies for watershed operations to meet water supply and conservation goals or to ensure regulatory compliance with clean water laws or regulations.
- **[Core]** Conduct, or oversee the conduct of, chemical, physical, and biological water quality monitoring or sampling to ensure compliance with water quality standards.
- **[Supplemental]** Identify methods for distributing purified wastewater into rivers, streams, or oceans.

## Detailed work activities

- Advise others on green energy or related technologies.
- Analyze data to determine project feasibility.
- Compile operational data.
- Develop environmental remediation or protection plans.
- Develop procedures to evaluate organizational activities.
- Develop sustainable organizational policies or practices.
- Evaluate environmental or sustainability projects.
- Evaluate green operations or programs for compliance with standards or regulations.
- Evaluate quality of materials or products.
- Identify environmental concerns.
- Identify opportunities for green initiatives.
- Implement organizational process or policy changes.
- Maintain operational records.
- Monitor organizational compliance with regulations.
- Monitor resources.
- Negotiate contracts for environmental remediation, green energy, or renewable resources.
- Prepare proposals or grant applications to obtain project funding.
- Present sustainable products or services information to the public.
- Supervise workers performing environmentally sustainable activities.
- Test green technologies or processes.