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Environmental Economists
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Majors
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Overview
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Education
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Job Training
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Examples
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, neurologists, and veterinarians.
Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $59K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $79K
Median Salary: $108K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $151K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $198K
Demand
Core Tasks
Write technical documents or academic articles to communicate study results or economic forecasts.
Conduct research on economic and environmental topics, such as alternative fuel use, public and private land use, soil conservation, air and water pollution control, and endangered species protection.
Collect and analyze data to compare the environmental implications of economic policy or practice alternatives.
Assess the costs and benefits of various activities, policies, or regulations that affect the environment or natural resource stocks.
Develop programs or policy recommendations to achieve environmental goals in cost-effective ways.
Prepare and deliver presentations to communicate economic and environmental study results, to present policy recommendations, or to raise awareness of environmental consequences.
Develop economic models, forecasts, or scenarios to predict future economic and environmental outcomes.
Demonstrate or promote the economic benefits of sound environmental regulations.
Conduct research to study the relationships among environmental problems and patterns of economic production and consumption.
Perform complex, dynamic, and integrated mathematical modeling of ecological, environmental, or economic systems.
Write social, legal, or economic impact statements to inform decision makers for natural resource policies, standards, or programs.
Teach courses in environmental economics.
Develop programs or policy recommendations to promote sustainability and sustainable development.
Develop systems for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting environmental and economic data.
Write research proposals and grant applications to obtain private or public funding for environmental and economic studies.
Examine the exhaustibility of natural resources or the long-term costs of environmental rehabilitation.
Monitor or analyze market and environmental trends.
Develop environmental research project plans, including information on budgets, goals, deliverables, timelines, and resource requirements.
Identify and recommend environmentally friendly business practices.
Interpret indicators to ascertain the overall health of an environment.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Mathematics
94%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Economics and Accounting
89%
Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
English Language
80%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Computers and Electronics
74%
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Education and Training
64%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Law and Government
62%
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Geography
50%
Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Communications and Media
48%
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Sociology and Anthropology
48%
Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
Psychology
46%
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Top 10 Skills
Writing
83%
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Listening
80%
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.
Critical Thinking
80%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Mathematics
80%
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Reading Comprehension
80%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Learning
78%
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Complex Problem Solving
73%
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Judgment and Decision Making
73%
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring
70%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking
70%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Top 10 Abilities
Written Comprehension
85%
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Mathematical Reasoning
83%
The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Oral Comprehension
80%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
80%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Written Expression
80%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Deductive Reasoning
78%
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning
78%
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Number Facility
78%
The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
Problem Sensitivity
78%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Speech Clarity
78%
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Top 10 Work Activities
Analyzing Data or Information
97%
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Getting Information
94%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Interacting With Computers
93%
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Processing Information
89%
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
86%
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
84%
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
81%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Thinking Creatively
78%
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
77%
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
76%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Detailed Work Activities
Forecast economic, political, or social trends.
Research impacts of environmental conservation initiatives.
Appraise environmental impact of regulations or policies.
Collect environmental data or samples.
Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
Communicate results of environmental research.
Develop environmental sustainability plans or projects.
Develop mathematical models of environmental conditions.
Promote environmental sustainability or conservation initiatives.
Research environmental impact of industrial or development activities.
Prepare information or documentation related to legal or regulatory matters.
Teach classes in area of specialization.
Teach social science courses at the college level.
Advise others about environmental management or conservation.
Develop environmental research methods.
Prepare proposal documents or grant applications.
Monitor market conditions or trends.
Analyze market conditions or trends.
Plan environmental research.
Identify sustainable business practices.
Interpret research or operational data.
Work Context
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Electronic Mail
How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
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?
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
Level of Competition
To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
Consequence of Error
How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?
Education
Majors based on the broader career Economists
Major
Interests
Investigative
100%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Enterprising
53%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Conventional
48%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Artistic
29%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Social
29%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Realistic
19%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Top 10 Work Styles
Analytical Thinking
98%
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Achievement/Effort
89%
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Attention to Detail
87%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Independence
83%
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.
Integrity
83%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
83%
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Innovation
82%
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Initiative
81%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Cooperation
69%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
69%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Work Values
Achievement
91%
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.
Independence
86%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Working Conditions
81%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Recognition
77%
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.
Relationships
53%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
39%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
