water-engineer/references/tasks.md

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.