Environmental Soil Science — Employment Opportunities
Environmental Soil Science graduates are prepared for careers related to many areas of environmental protection, sustainable management of natural resources, agriculture, and forestry. Previous graduates have taken positions with private firms that evaluate soils for various uses, delineate wetlands, perform environmental and hydrological assessments, and identify and remediate contaminated soils. E-Soil Sci alumni also have worked with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Some majors have started their own businesses after graduation while others go on to graduate education. All students graduating from the Soil Science program since 1990 have been able to work in soils-related positions, and 84% continue to work in environmental soils positions (28% work in the private sector, 16% work for the state or local government, 22% work for the federal government, and 19% are in graduate school). After six months to two years, new environmental soil scientists are frequently promoted and move to higher-paying positions.
Environmental soil scientists find jobs working in one or more of these fields:
- Remediation of contaminated soils
- Wetland delineation and drainage
- Water quality, water supply, and irrigation
- Soil sampling and analysis
- Pasture management
- Soil mapping
- Waste recycling, biosolids, and waste disposal
- Environmental consulting
- Soil conservation
- Nutrient management
- Underground storage tank evaluation
- Environmental assessment
- Peace Corps and international efforts
- Housing and urban development
- Turfgrass management
- Environmental regulation
- Land use administration
- Geographic information systems
- Research
- Construction
- Strip mine reclamation and revegetation
- Sanitary landfill suitability
- Forest soils, wildlife habitat, and campgrounds