Critical issues regarding sanitation, filtration systems, climate change, wastewater and land use are always being discussed and resolved in the energy industry. How can we recycle more water, reduce air emissions or reclaim a tailings pond? If you are a big thinker and you want to be a part of the solution, environmental engineering may be the career for you.
Environmental engineers plan, design and supervise a variety of activities and processes to prevent, control or remediate potential environmental impacts. They can specialize in a specific area such as air, water or waste management. Environmental auditing, testing and regulatory compliance/reporting are key activities in this role. Work may include water and waste treatment, site investigation and remediation where environmental site assessments are completed, and pollution control. They participate in or lead regulatory processes, such as environmental impact assessments, that review facilities or field operations to ensure compliance with government regulations and permitting conditions.
Environmental engineers interact with a broad set of internal and external stakeholders. They liaise with regulatory agents, contractors and internal staff to ensure activities meet environmental objectives or requirements.
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- Sub-sector Exploration and production, Offshore, Pipelines, Oil sands, Oil and gas services
- Environment Indoor/office and Outdoor work
- Average Salary $75,000 to $121,000
- Education Post-secondary degree
- Career Demand Stable
When you start in this occupation activities may include:
- Collecting field samples (e.g., air, water, soil)
- Analyzing air, water and soil samples
- Monitoring sites and procedures to confirm that private and public operations are in compliance with environmental regulations
As you advance in this career, you may take on additional tasks including:
- Evaluating current system performance and incorporating innovations or developing new technologies to enhance environmental protection
- Providing technical problem-solving support and assistance to internal departments on mitigation practices to prevent or minimize impacts to natural resources and local communities and businesses in accordance with regulations
Education
- A post-secondary degree in environmental engineering is typically required, but related disciplines such as agrology, biology, geology and chemistry all can lead to this profession as well. In some roles, a graduate degree in a related engineering discipline is preferred.
Certification
- Standard and emergency first aid
Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements and may include:
- Respirator fit testing
- Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
- Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)
- H2S Alive®
- Asbestos safety
- Fall protection
- Confined space entry
Licensing
- To obtain a license as a professional engineer (P.Eng) you must obtain a degree from an accredited engineering program, pass a professional practice exam and have three or four years of engineering experience, of which one year must be gained in Canada. You must also have Canadian citizenship or proof of permanent residency in Canada.
- Once licensed, engineers receive a seal to stamp their designs and drawings.
- Unlicensed engineers must work under the supervision of a P. Eng.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Primarily outdoor work
- Physical work
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Work away from home/in camps
You use math and science along with skills in communications and critical thinking to find practical solutions that benefit habitats, communities and the environment.
- Critical thinking
- Troubleshooting
- Engineering and technology
- Law and government
- Quality control analysis
- Judgment and decision making
- Active listening
- Chemistry
- Planning and organizing
- Design
- Sub-sector Carbon capture, utilization and storage, Emissions reduction, Well site decommissioning
- Environment Indoor/office and Outdoor work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary degree
- Career Demand Stable
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
The skills gained as an environmental engineer in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to the emissions reduction and well site decommissioning sub-sectors of cleantech. An environmental engineer considering a career change to the CCUS sub-sector of cleantech may need to complete some minor upskilling to make a successful transition. Knowledge of sector-specific regulations may be required.
When you start in this occupation activities may include:
- Collecting field samples (e.g., air, water, soil)
- Analyzing air, water and soil samples
- Monitoring sites and procedures to confirm that private and public operations are in compliance with environmental regulations
As you advance in this career, you may take on additional tasks including:
- Evaluating current system performance and incorporating innovations or developing new technologies to enhance environmental protection
- Providing technical problem-solving support and assistance to internal departments on mitigation practices to prevent or minimize impacts to natural resources and local communities and businesses in accordance with regulations
In addition to the requirements below, specific requirements in cleantech may include:
- Knowledge of current technologies, equipment, regulations and reporting. (CCUS |emissions reduction | well site decommissioning)
- Proficiency with drafting and design software such as AutoCAD. (CCUS | emissions reduction | well site decommissioning)
Education
- A post-secondary degree in environmental engineering is typically required, but related disciplines such as agrology, biology, geology and chemistry all can lead to this profession as well. In some roles, a graduate degree in a related engineering discipline is preferred.
Certification
- Standard and emergency first aid
Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements and may include:
- Respirator fit testing
- Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
- Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)
- H2S Alive®
- Asbestos safety
- Fall protection
- Confined space entry
Licensing
- To obtain a license as a professional engineer (P.Eng) you must obtain a degree from an accredited engineering program, pass a professional practice exam and have three or four years of engineering experience, of which one year must be gained in Canada. You must also have Canadian citizenship or proof of permanent residency in Canada.
- Once licensed, engineers receive a seal to stamp their designs and drawings.
- Unlicensed engineers must work under the supervision of a P. Eng.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to cleantech include:
- Travel required (well site decommissioning)
- Primarily indoor/office work (CCUS | emissions reduction | well site decommissioning)
- Less formal organizational structure (well site decommissioning)
- Temporary/project-to-project work (well site decommissioning)
- Freelance/contract opportunities (well site decommissioning)
- Lower-risk tolerant culture (CCUS | emissions reduction | well site decommissioning)
- Safety-sensitive environment (CCUS | emissions reduction | well site decommissioning)
- Transition to a similar level (CCUS | emissions reduction | well site decommissioning)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Primarily outdoor work
- Physical work
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Work away from home/in camps
You use math and science along with skills in communications and critical thinking to find practical solutions that benefit habitats, communities and the environment.
- Critical thinking
- Troubleshooting
- Engineering and technology
- Law and government
- Quality control analysis
- Judgment and decision making
- Active listening
- Chemistry
- Planning and organizing
- Design
The cleantech sector is further divided into sub-sectors:
CCUS
- Transferability: Refocus
- Skills upgrade: Minor
Emissions reduction
- Transferability: Direct
- Skills upgrade: None
Well site decommissioning
- Transferability: Direct
- Skills upgrade: None
What does this mean for workers?
Workers will find that the ease of a career change from oil and natural gas into cleantech may vary by sub-sector. There could be differences in the need to upskill, gain knowledge and experience and varying work environments. Further research on the sector or consultation with a career advisor may be required.
- Sub-sector Engineering, design and procurement, Start-up and commissioning
- Environment Indoor/office and Outdoor work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary degree
- Career Demand Stable
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
The skills gained as an environmental engineer in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to the start-up and commissioning project life cycle phase of industrial construction and maintenance in energy. An environmental engineer considering a career change to the engineering, design and procurement project life cycle phase may need to complete some additional upskilling to make a successful transition. Workers may find the work environment differs when working for a customer-focused service provider or vendor rather than an operating company. Workers may need to gain familiarity with sector-specific environmental regulations.
In addition to the activities below, other activities in industrial construction and maintenance in energy may include:
- Preparing environmental applications for the acquisition of environmental approvals. (engineering, design and procurement | start-up and commissioning)
- Identifying measures to minimize hazards to the health of the environment and the population. (engineering, design and procurement | start-up and commissioning)
When you start in this occupation activities may include:
- Collecting field samples (e.g., air, water, soil)
- Analyzing air, water and soil samples
- Monitoring sites and procedures to confirm that private and public operations are in compliance with environmental regulations
As you advance in this career, you may take on additional tasks including:
- Evaluating current system performance and incorporating innovations or developing new technologies to enhance environmental protection
- Providing technical problem-solving support and assistance to internal departments on mitigation practices to prevent or minimize impacts to natural resources and local communities and businesses in accordance with regulations
In addition to the requirements below, specific requirements in industrial construction and maintenance may include:
- Proficiency with drafting and design software such as AutoCAD. (engineering, design and procurement)
Education
- A post-secondary degree in environmental engineering is typically required, but related disciplines such as agrology, biology, geology and chemistry all can lead to this profession as well. In some roles, a graduate degree in a related engineering discipline is preferred.
Certification
- Standard and emergency first aid
Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements and may include:
- Respirator fit testing
- Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
- Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)
- H2S Alive®
- Asbestos safety
- Fall protection
- Confined space entry
Licensing
- To obtain a license as a professional engineer (P.Eng) you must obtain a degree from an accredited engineering program, pass a professional practice exam and have three or four years of engineering experience, of which one year must be gained in Canada. You must also have Canadian citizenship or proof of permanent residency in Canada.
- Once licensed, engineers receive a seal to stamp their designs and drawings.
- Unlicensed engineers must work under the supervision of a P. Eng.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to industrial construction and maintenance include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours (start-up and commissioning)
- Travel required (start-up and commissioning)
- Work away from home/in camps (start-up and commissioning)
- Primarily indoor/office work (engineering, design and procurement)
- Physical work (start-up and commissioning)
- Temporary/project-to-project work (engineering, design and procurement | start-up and commissioning)
- Lower-risk tolerant culture (engineering, design and procurement | start-up and commissioning)
- Safety-sensitive environment (engineering, design and procurement | start-up and commissioning)
- Transition to a similar level (engineering, design and procurement | start-up and commissioning)
- Urban location (engineering, design and procurement)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Primarily outdoor work
- Physical work
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Work away from home/in camps
You use math and science along with skills in communications and critical thinking to find practical solutions that benefit habitats, communities and the environment.
- Critical thinking
- Troubleshooting
- Engineering and technology
- Law and government
- Quality control analysis
- Judgment and decision making
- Active listening
- Chemistry
- Planning and organizing
- Design
The industrial construction and maintenance in energy sector is further divided into project life cycle phases:
Engineering, design and procurement
- Transferability: Refocus
- Skills upgrade: Minor
Start-up and commissioning
- Transferability: Direct
- Skills upgrade: None
What does this mean for workers?
Workers will find that the ease of a career change from oil and natural gas into industrial construction and maintenance in energy may vary by project life cycle phase. Workers should expect there could be differences in the need to upskill, gain knowledge and experience and varying work environments. Further research on the sector or consultation with a career advisor may be required.
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary degree
- Career Demand Stable
- Skills Upgrading Minor
-
Refocus
An environmental engineer considering a career change from oil and natural gas to LNG facility operation may need to complete some minor upskilling to make a successful transition. Workers may need to gain familiarity with sector-specific environmental regulations.
When you start in this occupation activities may include:
- Collecting field samples (e.g., air, water, soil)
- Analyzing air, water and soil samples
- Monitoring sites and procedures to confirm that private and public operations are in compliance with environmental regulations
As you advance in this career, you may take on additional tasks including:
- Evaluating current system performance and incorporating innovations or developing new technologies to enhance environmental protection
- Providing technical problem-solving support and assistance to internal departments on mitigation practices to prevent or minimize impacts to natural resources and local communities and businesses in accordance with regulations
Education
- A post-secondary degree in environmental engineering is typically required, but related disciplines such as agrology, biology, geology and chemistry all can lead to this profession as well. In some roles, a graduate degree in a related engineering discipline is preferred.
Certification
- Standard and emergency first aid
Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements and may include:
- Respirator fit testing
- Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
- Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)
- H2S Alive®
- Asbestos safety
- Fall protection
- Confined space entry
Licensing
- To obtain a license as a professional engineer (P.Eng) you must obtain a degree from an accredited engineering program, pass a professional practice exam and have three or four years of engineering experience, of which one year must be gained in Canada. You must also have Canadian citizenship or proof of permanent residency in Canada.
- Once licensed, engineers receive a seal to stamp their designs and drawings.
- Unlicensed engineers must work under the supervision of a P. Eng.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to LNG include:
- Potential for relocation
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Lower-risk tolerant culture
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Transition to a similar level
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Primarily outdoor work
- Physical work
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Work away from home/in camps
You use math and science along with skills in communications and critical thinking to find practical solutions that benefit habitats, communities and the environment.
- Critical thinking
- Troubleshooting
- Engineering and technology
- Law and government
- Quality control analysis
- Judgment and decision making
- Active listening
- Chemistry
- Planning and organizing
- Design
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary degree
- Career Demand Stable
- Skills Upgrading Minor
-
Refocus
An environmental engineer considering a career change from oil and natural gas to petrochemicals and refining may need to complete some minor upskilling to make a successful transition. Workers may need to gain familiarity with sector-specific environmental regulations and understand implications of the new Clean Fuel Standard and other carbon emissions reporting requirements.
When you start in this occupation activities may include:
- Collecting field samples (e.g., air, water, soil)
- Analyzing air, water and soil samples
- Monitoring sites and procedures to confirm that private and public operations are in compliance with environmental regulations
As you advance in this career, you may take on additional tasks including:
- Evaluating current system performance and incorporating innovations or developing new technologies to enhance environmental protection
- Providing technical problem-solving support and assistance to internal departments on mitigation practices to prevent or minimize impacts to natural resources and local communities and businesses in accordance with regulations
In addition to the requirements below, specific requirements in petrochemicals and refining may include:
- Understanding of the Clean Fuel Standard and other carbon emissions reporting requirements.
Education
- A post-secondary degree in environmental engineering is typically required, but related disciplines such as agrology, biology, geology and chemistry all can lead to this profession as well. In some roles, a graduate degree in a related engineering discipline is preferred.
Certification
- Standard and emergency first aid
Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements and may include:
- Respirator fit testing
- Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
- Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)
- H2S Alive®
- Asbestos safety
- Fall protection
- Confined space entry
Licensing
- To obtain a license as a professional engineer (P.Eng) you must obtain a degree from an accredited engineering program, pass a professional practice exam and have three or four years of engineering experience, of which one year must be gained in Canada. You must also have Canadian citizenship or proof of permanent residency in Canada.
- Once licensed, engineers receive a seal to stamp their designs and drawings.
- Unlicensed engineers must work under the supervision of a P. Eng.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to petrochemicals and refining include:
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Lower-risk tolerant culture
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Transition to a similar level
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Primarily outdoor work
- Physical work
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Work away from home/in camps
You use math and science along with skills in communications and critical thinking to find practical solutions that benefit habitats, communities and the environment.
- Critical thinking
- Troubleshooting
- Engineering and technology
- Law and government
- Quality control analysis
- Judgment and decision making
- Active listening
- Chemistry
- Planning and organizing
- Design
- Sub-sector Geothermal, Wind
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary degree
- Career Demand Stable
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Refocus
An environmental engineer in oil and natural gas considering a career change to the geothermal and wind sub-sectors of renewables may need to complete some minor upskilling to make a successful transition. Workers may need to improve their knowledge of sector-specific regulation to successfully navigate the complex regulatory environment. The average salary range in geothermal is similar to the average salary range in oil and natural gas, however, the average salary range in wind is likely lower than that of oil and natural gas.
In addition to the activities below, other activities in renewables may include:
- Assessing and planning for potential environmental impacts and providing technical support to quantify impacts on emissions, water and land. (geothermal | wind)
When you start in this occupation activities may include:
- Collecting field samples (e.g., air, water, soil)
- Analyzing air, water and soil samples
- Monitoring sites and procedures to confirm that private and public operations are in compliance with environmental regulations
As you advance in this career, you may take on additional tasks including:
- Evaluating current system performance and incorporating innovations or developing new technologies to enhance environmental protection
- Providing technical problem-solving support and assistance to internal departments on mitigation practices to prevent or minimize impacts to natural resources and local communities and businesses in accordance with regulations
In addition to the requirements below, specific requirements in renewables may include:
- Proficiency with drafting and design software such as AutoCAD. (geothermal | wind)
Education
- A post-secondary degree in environmental engineering is typically required, but related disciplines such as agrology, biology, geology and chemistry all can lead to this profession as well. In some roles, a graduate degree in a related engineering discipline is preferred.
Certification
- Standard and emergency first aid
Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements and may include:
- Respirator fit testing
- Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
- Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)
- H2S Alive®
- Asbestos safety
- Fall protection
- Confined space entry
Licensing
- To obtain a license as a professional engineer (P.Eng) you must obtain a degree from an accredited engineering program, pass a professional practice exam and have three or four years of engineering experience, of which one year must be gained in Canada. You must also have Canadian citizenship or proof of permanent residency in Canada.
- Once licensed, engineers receive a seal to stamp their designs and drawings.
- Unlicensed engineers must work under the supervision of a P. Eng.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to renewables include:
- Travel required (geothermal | wind)
- Primarily indoor/office work (geothermal | wind)
- Agile/flexible approach to work (geothermal)
- Less formal organizational structure (geothermal | wind)
- Freelance/contract opportunities (geothermal | wind)
- Lower-risk tolerant culture (wind)
- Safety-sensitive environment (geothermal | wind)
- Transition to a similar level (geothermal | wind)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Primarily outdoor work
- Physical work
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Work away from home/in camps
You use math and science along with skills in communications and critical thinking to find practical solutions that benefit habitats, communities and the environment.
- Critical thinking
- Troubleshooting
- Engineering and technology
- Law and government
- Quality control analysis
- Judgment and decision making
- Active listening
- Chemistry
- Planning and organizing
- Design
The renewables sector is further divided into sub-sectors:
Geothermal
- Transferability: Refocus
- Skills upgrade: Minor
- Average salary range: Equal to oil and gas
Wind
- Transferability: Refocus
- Skills upgrade: None
- Average salary range: Less than oil and gas
What does this mean for workers?
Workers will find that the ease of a career change from oil and natural gas into renewables may vary by sub-sector. There could be differences in the need to upskill, gain knowledge and experience, expected salary range and varying work environments. Further research on the sector or consultation with a career advisor may be required.
