Green Job Series: Careers in Water Conservation [Fourth Installment]

This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series profiles key construction occupations in water conservation.

Construction Occupations

Construction workers build and install the infrastructure for conserving water. They build new water delivery and storage systems. They also build new dams and reservoirs, dig wells, lay new pipes, and install water-efficient appliances and irrigation systems.

Construction workers typically are employed by construction or utilities companies and spend much of their time outdoors. Their work can be physically demanding.

Job Duties

Construction managers oversee building projects. These may include constructing reservoirs and water treatment plants or installing new pipes and water delivery systems. The primary duties of a construction manager include administering permits, contracts, and the budget, as well as monitoring project quality and safety.

On large assignments, a project manager typically oversees several construction managers who supervise individual aspects of the assignment.

Construction laborers do many of the basic physical tasks onsite. They may clean and prepare construction sites, load or unload building materials, dig trenches, backfill holes, or compact earth to prepare for construction. They do a variety of tasks, from easy to difficult and even hazardous, on almost all construction sites.

Equipment operators use heavy machinery to move construction materials, earth, and other heavy materials at a construction site. They may dig trenches for pipes or clear a large area for a planned reservoir. Equipment operators also control cranes to lift and place heavy objects, such as collectors and storage tanks for rainwater or greywater. They set up, inspect, and adjust equipment and do some maintenance and minor repair.

Pipelayers place pipes outdoors. They install large-diameter pipes, such as water mains, or smaller pipes that carry water from the main to houses or buildings. Pipelayers may also install sewage systems that carry waste to treatment plants.

Plumbers follow detailed construction drawings to install pipes and appliances in buildings and connect them to the water supply. They may remove older fixtures and replace them with water-efficient ones, such as dual-flush toilets and low-flow faucets. Plumbers may also replace leaky pipes or install plumbing systems that accommodate both drinkable and non-drinkable water and thereby allow a building to use rainwater and greywater.

Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners ensure that septic tanks—tanks that store human waste when sewers are not available—and sewer pipes are clean and that waste material is able to flow through them properly. If septic tanks or sewers become blocked, the waste material backs up and may flow up through drains or seep into the ground nearby, which can contaminate the water supply.

Education, Training, and Licensing

Construction managers typically need a degree in construction management, business management, or engineering and have experience working in construction. Experience is important for construction managers, so it may substitute for some educational requirements. Workers who have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in construction management or engineering but do not have significant construction experience may be hired as assistants to construction managers. Construction laborers are not required to have a formal education.

Equipment operators often learn on the job, complete an apprenticeship, or do a combination of both to become certified. Becoming certified involves training and testing to ensure competence and safety. Because of safety concerns and the potential danger of operating this equipment, most construction workers are required to pass regular drug screenings.

Pipelayers typically need a high school diploma and are trained on the job in 1 month or less. Plumbers also typically have a high school diploma and receive training through an apprenticeship, which usually lasts 4 to 5 years and involves about 1,700 to 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training and at least 246 hours of related technical instruction.

Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners need less than a high school diploma. They are normally trained on the job and are competent in performing their jobs with 1 to 12 months of training.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) currently does not have wage data specific to the water conservation industry. The table that follows shows wages for selected construction occupations in May 2012. The wages shown are median annual wages for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location.

Occupation	Median annual wage
Construction managers	$82,790
Construction laborers	$29,990
Construction equipment operators	$40,980
Pipelayers	$36,180
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters	$49,140
Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners	$34,020

For more detailed information on construction occupations in the water conservation industry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Next week's water conservation industry series installment: Agriculture and Grounds Maintenance Occupations.

Green Job Series: Careers in Water Conservation [Third Installment]

Water conservation requires planning, especially when new communities or large infrastructure projects in drier areas are being developed. In addition, outreach is important to inform the public about water conservation.

This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series profiles key planning and outreach occupations in water conservation.

Planning and Outreach Occupations

Water utilities and government water agencies may employ planning and outreach workers to educate the public about water conservation and to develop and implement conservation strategies. These workers typically are in offices.

Job Duties

Urban and regional planners develop strategies to ensure that there is enough water available to support development. Urban and regional planners have a broad view with respect to community development, and their preparation is essential to ensure efficient use of water.

Operations research analysts decide how to allocate water when communities or new structures are being planned, and help utilities and other organizations figure out the most effective way to distribute water. They evaluate costs and benefits of water projects and work with scientists, engineers, and others to develop solutions to water distribution, sanitation, and conservation problems.

Landscape architects may practice xeriscaping to choose the type and quantity of plants for a landscaped area. Part of their job is to determine how much water their landscapes require and to plan ways to ensure that the land is properly watered and drained. They may plan automatic sprinkler layouts that minimize overlapping spray patterns and that operate at night or in the early morning to minimize water loss through evaporation.

Public relations specialists educate people about water conservation. Because water conservation requires the participation and cooperation of the general public, public relations specialists inform people about what they can do—and what utilities and local governments are doing—to conserve water. Public relations specialists may write materials for media releases, plan and direct public relations programs, and answer media inquiries.

Education

Most urban and regional planners have a master’s degree from an accredited urban or regional planning program. These programs accept students with a variety of undergraduate backgrounds, including economics, geography, political science, or environmental design. Operations research analysts need a master’s degree for most research positions, but a bachelor’s degree may be enough for most entry-level positions. Many analysts have a degree in a related field, such as mathematics, statistics, or computer science.

Landscape architects usually need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in landscape architecture. Many employers recommend that prospective landscape architects complete an internship with a landscape architecture firm during their formal education. Public relations specialists typically have at least a bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, communications, or a related field. They are then trained on the job for 1 month to 1 year.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) currently does not have wage data specific to the water conservation industry. The table that follows shows wages for selected planning and outreach occupations in May 2012. The wages shown are median annual wages for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location.

Occupation	Median annual wage
Urban and regional planners	$65,230
Operations research analysts	$72,100
Landscape architects	$64,180
Public relations specialists	$54,170

For more detailed information on planning and outreach occupations in the water conservation industry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Thursday's water conservation industry series installment: Construction Occupations.

Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: Learning Leadership

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

In this video author Daniel Goleman discusses how we learn to be good leaders in "the arena of life" rather than in business school.

Learn more in the video below:

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: Habits for Success and Eliminating Soul-Crushing Habits

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share these every weekend so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

© Bellemedia | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos

• What to Do If You Lose Your Job: "No matter how tough the economy, there are ways to stand out among the competition and start the next chapter of your life."

• The One Thing Successful People Do Every Day: "Well, here’s the one personal branding habit you can’t be too busy for."                                                      
• 6 Soul-Crushing Career Habits You Should Break Right Now: "Never underestimate the importance of what you have to contribute."


• Taking Care of Yourself, Then Business: "Make time for exercise just as you would for the most critical part of your work. You won’t be as effective, at least not for long, unless you take care of yourself first."


• Three Things that Actually Motivate Employees: "Clarity about how your products or services can improve the world provides guideposts for employees’ priorities and decisions. As part of the daily conversation, mission and purpose can make even mundane tasks a means to a larger end."

Green Job Series: Careers in Water Conservation [Second Installment]

Engineers work alongside scientists, engineering technicians, and others to apply technical solutions to water conservation. This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series profiles key engineering occupations in water conservation.

Engineering Occupations

Engineers’ role in water conservation is to apply strategies that reduce the use of water. They may develop new technologies that decrease the amount of water used for certain activities. They may also design water delivery and storage systems and water treatment facilities.

Engineers may design and test various types of machinery and water-efficient appliances. They ensure quality control and oversee compliance with standard operating procedures and federal, state, and local regulations. Engineering technicians work under the supervision of engineers to complete many engineering tasks.

Job Duties

Agricultural engineers find technological solutions to reduce water use on farms. They may design agricultural machinery and equipment or irrigation systems that use water more efficiently, and help determine how to deliver the most water for a given type of crop. Agricultural engineers may also be involved in pollution management, preventing runoff from fields that could pollute local water sources.

Civil engineers design and supervise large construction projects. They may be responsible for the design or upkeep of a city-wide water distribution system or sewer system. They are involved in significant construction projects and may design and supervise construction of a “green” building with water conservation in mind.

Environmental engineers develop ways to improve and protect the water supply. They may prepare, review, and update environmental investigation reports and design projects leading to environmental protection, such as water reclamation facilities. Environmental engineers are also involved with cleaning up pollution or hazardous materials, where they evaluate the extent of the pollution or the significance of a hazard. They may also help with the design of municipal water supply and industrial wastewater treatment systems, and they research the environmental impact of proposed projects.

Industrial engineers are involved in improving industrial practices and increasing efficiency. They devise ways to use less water more efficiently. They may design systems that contain or cleanse water that has become contaminated through industrial processes.

Mining and geological engineers use their knowledge to evaluate sources of water, particularly underground sources. Groundwater is typically in aquifers, which may be made up of porous rock, sand, or gravel. Engineers may help identify the boundaries of an aquifer and determine which sites are best for drilling wells to bring water to the surface.

Education

Engineers usually need at least a bachelor’s degree in an engineering field. Engineers in water conservation may specialize, as described above, and usually work solely in that specialty. Licensure as a professional engineer (PE) is recommended and often required, depending on an engineer’s specialty. Entry-level engineers work under the direction of senior or supervisory engineers and may assist senior engineers on sustainability projects.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) currently does not have wage data specific to the water conservation industry. The table that follows shows wages for selected engineering occupations in May 2012. The wages shown are median annual wages for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location.

Occupation	Median annual wage
Agricultural engineers	$74,000
Civil engineers	$79,340
Environmental engineers	$78,690
Industrial engineers, including health and safety	$63,570
Mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers	$84,320

For more detailed information on engineering occupations in the water conservation industry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Next week's water conservation industry series installment: Planning and Outreach Occupations.

Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: Working with a Mentor

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

In this video author Mike Michalowicz discusses how to build a successful relationship with a mentor.

Learn more in the video below:

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: What Does Your Boss Want?

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share these every weekend so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

© Bellemedia | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos

• 3 Telltale Signs You're On The Wrong Career Path: "When work feels like a drag before, during and after each day, it’s a clear sign that one of your work variables could use a change."

• 6 Productive Ways to Avoid the 3 p.m. Slump: "Catch up [on industry-related articles] and get inspired by new ideas, and share your new-found learning and knowledge with your colleagues, team members and network."                                                      
• 5 Simple Social Media Tactics That Lead to a Job: "Across all industries, there is a whopping 94 percent adoption of social recruiting. These days, recruiting and hiring are all about networking, both in-person and online."


• What Your Boss Really Wants From You: "Your boss wants you to be ... Clear on where the business is going in the broader sense and in the longer term. You should have a respectable point of view on where the company should be going and why."


• Truly Great Leaders Create the Spirit of Consensus: "Motivation and morale are key components of any successful business, and nothing damages them more than a leader who doesn't take their staff into consideration."

Green Job Series: Careers in Water Conservation [First Installment]

Water conservation pertains mostly to fresh water, because it is a limited resource. It helps to ensure that available water supplies are used in the most efficient ways possible. Water conservation focuses on household, municipal, commercial, industrial, and agricultural water use.

Many different types of workers are involved in water conservation. They are employed within various industries, including federal, state, and local governments; utilities; construction; and agriculture, among others. This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series profiles key science occupations in water conservation.

Science Occupations

Scientists who work in water conservation devise technical solutions for reducing water use and develop ways to tap into new sources of fresh water. They plan strategies to conserve water resources and ensure that water is used as efficiently as possible. Scientists are also involved in reducing water use and ensuring that our water is safe. They measure levels of pollution and chemical contamination. Some scientists are involved in preserving water ecosystems and habitats.

Scientists generally work as part of a team that includes other types of scientists, engineers, and science technicians. Science technicians work under the supervision of scientists and assist them in their duties.

Scientists often work in an office or laboratory, and many spend time working outdoors. They may be employed by government agencies, universities, or private companies. Some scientists are hired as advisors for special projects.

Job Duties

Microbiologists work in laboratories studying water samples to ensure that the samples are free of harmful parasites, and that any microorganisms found in the water are not harmful to humans or the natural environment. Microbiologists study these microorganisms and their effects on the environment and human health. They may devise ways to remove harmful microorganisms from our drinking water, or use them clean up pollution.

Water conservationists are conservation scientists who give technical help to people concerned with the conservation of water. They help private landowners and governments by advising on water quality, preserving water supplies, preventing groundwater contamination, and conserving water.

Chemists analyze the chemicals found in water to make sure it is safe for use. They also handle water purification, using chemicals to kill harmful microorganisms and processes to remove harmful chemicals.

Environmental scientists and specialists protect natural water sources from pollutants and other contamination by studying the sources and effects of this pollution and determining ways to clean it up and prevent further pollution. They may also work to reclaim contaminated water by devising ways to clean the water and determining suitable uses for the water after it is cleaned.

Environmental scientists often ensure regulations are followed so that the water is healthy to use and any damage to the environment from water use is minimal.

Hydrologists study water and the water cycle and analyze how they influence the surrounding environment. They study the movement, distribution, and other properties of water and may measure bodies of water, such as volume and stream flow. They may also research how to improve water conservation and preservation.

Some hydrologists use computer models to forecast future water supplies, the spread of pollution, and to find new sources of fresh water. Hydrologists are also vital in evaluating the feasibility of water-related projects, such as hydroelectric power plants, irrigation systems, and waste treatment facilities.

Education and Skills

Most scientists need at least a bachelor’s degree from a program that includes both coursework and laboratory hours. A scientist who is leading a research team or conducting independent research typically needs a master’s or doctoral degree. Hydrologists typically need a master’s degree. It is common for scientists to pursue a specialized degree in a subfield, such as bacteriology or toxicology.

Analytical skills are important for those conducting experiments and determining an outcome or a reasonable way to continue an experiment. Scientists also need oral and written communication skills because they often work as part of a team, and must be able to share the results of their analyses with others. In addition, scientists must be detail-oriented when conducting experiments and recording data.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) currently does not have wage data specific to the water conservation industry. The table that follows shows wages for selected science occupations in May 2012. The wages shown are median annual wages for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location.

Occupation	Median annual wage
Microbiologists	$66,260
Conservation scientists	$61,100
Chemists	$71,770
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health	$63,570
Hydrologists	$75,530

For more detailed information on science occupations in the water conservation industry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Next week's water conservation industry series installment: Engineering Occupations.

Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: Focus on Your Strengths

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

In this video author Marcus Buckingham discusses how we tend to focus on our weaknesses when a focus on our strengths can lead to greater success.

Learn more in the video below:

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: Super Success Before 8 AM

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share these every weekend so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

© Bellemedia | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos

• 5 Things Super Successful People Do Before 8 AM: "Maximize your potential by mapping out your schedule for the day, as well as your goals and to dos. The morning is a good time for this as it is often one of the only quiet times a person gets throughout the day."

• 7 Job Search Rules You Should Be Breaking: "It’s more important to find out how company regulars dress on a daily basis, and then step it up just a notch for that first meeting. You’ll easily prove that you can fit right in."                                                      
• 5 Things to Consider Before Accepting a Job Offer: "If you have been promised something verbally pertaining to your employment, make certain that it is included in your offer letter."


• 3 Proven Ways to Make Tough Job Decisions: "The idea is simple: create a grid based on criteria that matter to you, and then score your potential career choices against those criteria. Sample criteria can include anything that you believe is important."


• The Good News About Career Wipeouts: "Defeat still hurts, but you know you'll get through it and be better for it. You realize that what they say is true. That what doesn't kill you really does make you stronger."

Green Job Series: Careers in Environmental Remediation [Fourth Installment]

Environmental remediation is an important sector of the green economy. Whether polluted through years of industrial activity or by inadvertent releases of contaminants, land areas and bodies of water must be remediated to restore them to their natural state or to make them suitable for redevelopment.

This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series describes management and business specialist occupations in environmental remediation.

Management and Business Specialist Occupations

Management and business specialists handle the administrative work of an environmental remediation project. These people are typically office workers who plan and organize remediation projects, as well as those who supervise the workers cleaning up a site.

Job Duties

Compliance officers are specialists in the various local, state, and federal laws and regulations involved in environmental remediation. Remediation is highly regulated, so these specialists must be aware of pertinent regulations and ensure that whoever is managing the project is in compliance with them. In addition, remediation work can be hazardous, so the compliance officer must ensure that workers follow safety regulations.

Construction managers coordinate and supervise many of the on-site operations. They oversee construction workers and heavy-equipment operators to ensure a productive and safe work environment. They make sure that jobs are completed on time and on budget with the right amount of tools, equipment, and materials. Many managers also are responsible for obtaining necessary permits and licenses. They often are responsible for multiple projects at a time.

Cost estimators collect and analyze data to estimate the time, money, resources, and labor required for a remediation project. They make allowances for wasted material, bad weather, delays, and other factors that can increase the costs of the project. Cost estimators use sophisticated computer software, including databases, simulations, and mathematical programs.

Emergency management directors coordinate responses to emergencies. They might be called to manage the response to unforeseen events, such as an oil spill or a release of hazardous materials. They coordinate the emergency response to these incidents and begin planning for cleanup and management of the incident.

Natural sciences managers supervise scientific professionals involved in a remediation project. Because remediation involves a variety of technologies, many scientists from different disciplines might be involved in these projects. Natural science managers oversee and coordinate the efforts of these different scientists.

Public relations specialists are responsible for keeping the media and the general public informed about remediation projects. This is especially important if an accident such as an oil spill has caused an area to be polluted. Public relations specialists compile information given to them from others working on the project and present it to the public in a clear and concise way.

Education and Training

Compliance officers have a bachelor's degree in business or a related field, plus knowledge of relevant laws and regulations. Compliance officers also typically undergo moderate-term on-the-job training lasting from 1 month to 1 year. Cost estimators usually enter the field with a bachelor's degree in math, accounting, or a related field.

Construction managers typically require an associate's or bachelor's degree in construction management, or business management with experience in construction. Other construction managers do not have a degree, but have moved into the position through work experience, though this is becoming less common. Natural sciences managers typically have a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in one of the natural sciences plus several years of work experience as a scientist. Emergency management directors typically need at least a bachelor's degree plus several years of relevant work experience. They also need a year or more of on-the-job training.

Public relations specialists typically need a bachelor's degree plus excellent written and verbal communications skills. They also need moderate-term on-the-job training.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) currently does not have wage data specific to the environmental remediation industry. The table that follows shows wages for selected management and business specialist occupations in the waste management and remediation services industry group for May 2011. The wages shown are median annual wages for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location.

Occupation	Median annual wage
Compliance officers	$60,370
Construction managers	$89,920
Cost estimators	$67,680
Emergency management directors	$77,690
Natural sciences managers	$96,710
Public relations specialists	$62,190

For more detailed information on management and business specialist occupations in the environmental remediation industry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: Persistence and Self-Belief

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

In this video former Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark talks about the importance of persistence and self-belief on long-term success.

Learn more in the video below:

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: More Networking and Entrepreneurial Tips

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share these every weekend so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

© Bellemedia | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos

• Don't Work For Your Boss, Work For Your Company: "Go the extra mile for your company. Use your special interests to make your company better from the inside out."

• 7 Things I'd Do Differently If I Started My Small Business Today: "One of the best ways to get noticed fast is by building relationships with influencers in your industry. In the times of social media this has become easier than ever."                                                      
• Winning New Networking Contacts in 6 Steps: "Success comes to people who are always seeking new knowledge and perspectives that will make them more well-rounded people, better thinkers and ultimately better employees."


• The Art of Accidental Networking: "When it comes to accidental networking, knowing exactly what kind of job you want is the first step in the right direction — even if you don’t have the experience in a particular line of work."


• 6 Things You Should Quit Doing To Be More Successful: "Delaying or procrastinating around something that you think is important means one of two things. You’re either scared to start because it means your life will change or you want it for the wrong reasons."

Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: Find Wealth in What You Love

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

In this video entrepreneur Peter Diamandis recommends discovering "that thing in the world that you love so much that you would do it whether someone pays you or not."

Learn more in the video below:

Green Job Series: Careers in Environmental Remediation [Third Installment]

This installment of The Daily Leap's green job series describes construction and material-moving occupations in environmental remediation.

Construction and Material-moving Occupations

Construction and material-moving workers operate the machinery that is used onsite in a remediation project. These workers might be exposed to contaminants and might be required to wear safety gear such as chemical protective suits and breathing apparatus.

Job Duties

Construction laborers do many of the basic tasks on remediation sites. These workers do physically demanding work, such as removing debris and possible hazards, loading and unloading materials, digging trenches, and operating machinery. They are used when there is no danger of exposure to dangerous chemicals or when the site has been made safe for them to work.

Dredge operators excavate waterways. They remove sand, gravel, or rock from bodies of water that have become contaminated. They might operate from land-based dredges or those mounted on barges or ships to remove material that is then either disposed of or treated to remove hazardous materials.

Earth drillers operate machinery that is used to drill into the earth. Because many remediation techniques involve drilling deep into the ground to remove pollution in the groundwater or below the top layers of soil, drills are used to reach the deep layers of rock and sediment underground. Drillers are needed for pump-and-treat techniques and are used occasionally for other techniques when the pollution has seeped deep underground.

Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators use machines equipped with scoops or shovels. They dig sand, earth, or other materials and load them onto conveyors or trucks for treatment or transport to disposal sites.

Hazardous materials removal workers identify and dispose of materials that are flammable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic. They are responsible for cleaning up sites that are severely contaminated and must be made safe for other workers to enter. They might deal with sites that have chemical, biological, or even radioactive waste and must wear special suits and respirators to keep them safe from these materials. They must be familiar with the procedures for handling and disposing of certain types of hazardous waste.

Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators drive, maneuver, or control the heavy machinery used in remediation projects. They work with one or several types of power construction equipment and might operate excavation and loading machines equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets that dig sand, earth, gravel, or similar materials.

Education and Training

These construction and material-moving workers require on-the-job training to become competent in their occupations. Construction laborers and dredge operators generally undergo on-the-job training that lasts one month or less and do not need formal education. Excavating and loading machine operators also do not need formal education, but typically have prior work experience as construction laborers or construction equipment operators. They typically undergo moderate-term on-the-job training that can last between one month and one year. Equipment operators and earth drillers typically have a high school diploma or equivalent and also require moderate-term on-the-job training.

Hazardous materials removal workers typically enter the occupation with a high school diploma or the equivalent and are required by the federal government to complete formal training programs, such as an OSHA-certified HAZWOPER training course that lasts approximately 40 hours. They also need to be trained in the proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials and in any safety equipment they might be required to use, such as respirators or self-contained breathing apparatus.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) currently does not have wage data specific to the environmental remediation industry. The table that follows shows wages for selected construction and material-moving occupations in the waste management and remediation services industry group for May 2011. The wages shown are median annual wages for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location.

Occupation	Median annual wage
Construction laborers	$34,600
Dredge operators, except oil and gas	$33,530
Earth drillers	$44,550
Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators	$38,860
Hazardous materials removal workers	$37,440
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators	$38,910

For more detailed information on construction and material-moving occupations in the environmental remediation industry, follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook link.

Next week's environmental remediation industry series installment: Management and Business Specialist Occupations.