19-2041.03

Industrial Ecologists

Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.

Career Cluster:Public Service & Safety
Job Family:Life, Physical, and Social Science
Job Zone:Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
STEM:Research, Development, Design, and Practitioners
Build Resume

Technology Tools

Adobe IllustratorAdobe PhotoshopApache HadoopAtlassian JIRAAutodesk AutoCADESRI ArcGIS softwareGitLinuxMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Visual StudioMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft SQL ServerNoSQLMicrosoft VisioSalesforce softwareAdobe AcrobatOracle DatabaseOracle JavaSAP softwareSASThe MathWorks MATLAB

Key Tasks

  • Identify environmental impacts caused by products, systems, or projects.
  • Identify or develop strategies or methods to minimize the environmental impact of industrial production processes.
  • Analyze changes designed to improve the environmental performance of complex systems and avoid unintended negative consequences.
  • Conduct environmental sustainability assessments, using material flow analysis (MFA) or substance flow analysis (SFA) techniques.
  • Identify sustainable alternatives to industrial or waste-management practices.
  • Review research literature to maintain knowledge on topics related to industrial ecology, such as physical science, technology, economy, and public policy.
  • Redesign linear, or open-loop, systems into cyclical, or closed-loop, systems so that waste products become inputs for new processes, modeling natural ecosystems.
  • Prepare technical and research reports, such as environmental impact reports, and communicate the results to individuals in industry, government, or the general public.
  • Monitor the environmental impact of development activities, pollution, or land degradation.
  • Examine local, regional, or global use and flow of materials or energy in industrial production processes.
  • Build and maintain databases of information about energy alternatives, pollutants, natural environments, industrial processes, and other information related to ecological change.
  • Perform analyses to determine how human behavior can affect, and be affected by, changes in the environment.
  • Recommend methods to protect the environment or minimize environmental damage from industrial production practices.
  • Translate the theories of industrial ecology into eco-industrial practices.
  • Develop alternative energy investment scenarios to compare economic and environmental costs and benefits.
  • Carry out environmental assessments in accordance with applicable standards, regulations, or laws.
  • Plan or conduct field research on topics such as industrial production, industrial ecology, population ecology, and environmental production or sustainability.
  • Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.
  • Create complex and dynamic mathematical models of population, community, or ecological systems.
  • Forecast future status or condition of ecosystems, based on changing industrial practices or environmental conditions.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of industrial ecology programs, using statistical analysis and applications.
  • Review industrial practices, such as the methods and materials used in construction or production, to identify potential liabilities and environmental hazards.
  • Apply new or existing research about natural ecosystems to understand economic and industrial systems in the context of the environment.
  • Prepare plans to manage renewable resources.
  • Identify or compare the component parts or relationships between the parts of industrial, social, and natural systems.
  • Plan or conduct studies of the ecological implications of historic or projected changes in industrial processes or development.
  • Research sources of pollution to determine environmental impact or to develop methods of pollution abatement or control.
  • Perform environmentally extended input-output (EE I-O) analyses.
  • Promote use of environmental management systems (EMS) to reduce waste or to improve environmentally sound use of natural resources.
  • Develop or test protocols to monitor ecosystem components and ecological processes.
  • Investigate the impact of changed land management or land use practices on ecosystems.
  • Research environmental effects of land and water use to determine methods of improving environmental conditions or increasing outputs, such as crop yields.
  • Provide industrial managers with technical materials on environmental issues, regulatory guidelines, or compliance actions.
  • Conduct applied research on the effects of industrial processes on the protection, restoration, inventory, monitoring, or reintroduction of species to the natural environment.
  • Conduct scientific protection, mitigation, or restoration projects to prevent resource damage, maintain the integrity of critical habitats, and minimize the impact of human activities.
  • Conduct analyses to determine the maximum amount of work that can be accomplished for a given amount of energy in a system, such as industrial production systems and waste treatment systems.
  • Investigate accidents affecting the environment to assess ecological impact.
  • Investigate the adaptability of various animal and plant species to changed environmental conditions.
  • Conduct life cycle assessments of products.

Skills

Reading Comprehension
78%
Speaking
75%
Writing
75%
Active Listening
75%
Critical Thinking
72%
Systems Analysis
69%
Complex Problem Solving
69%
Judgment and Decision Making
69%
Science
66%
Active Learning
66%
Mathematics
60%
Systems Evaluation
60%
Social Perceptiveness
53%
Monitoring
53%
Coordination
50%
Instructing
50%
Persuasion
50%
Time Management
50%
Management of Personnel Resources
50%
Learning Strategies
50%
Service Orientation
44%
Negotiation
41%
Operations Analysis
35%
Management of Material Resources
28%
Management of Financial Resources
28%
Quality Control Analysis
28%
Programming
25%
Operations Monitoring
22%
Technology Design
22%
Installation
3%
Repairing
0%
Troubleshooting
0%
Operation and Control
0%
Equipment Selection
0%
Equipment Maintenance
0%

Knowledge

Mathematics
82%
Engineering and Technology
76%
Chemistry
63%
Computers and Electronics
59%
Physics
57%
English Language
56%
Production and Processing
56%
Design
54%
Biology
53%
Law and Government
48%
Geography
48%
Education and Training
46%
Administration and Management
46%
Transportation
43%
Communications and Media
42%
Building and Construction
36%
Economics and Accounting
34%
Mechanical
32%
Food Production
32%
Sociology and Anthropology
29%
Psychology
28%
Customer and Personal Service
27%
Administrative
27%
Telecommunications
24%
Sales and Marketing
24%
Public Safety and Security
22%
Personnel and Human Resources
20%
Foreign Language
13%
History and Archeology
12%
Philosophy and Theology
10%
Medicine and Dentistry
7%
Fine Arts
6%
Therapy and Counseling
1%

Build a Resume for Industrial Ecologists

Create a professional, ATS-optimized resume tailored to this career path.

Create Resume

Abilities

Deductive Reasoning
78%
Inductive Reasoning
78%
Written Expression
75%
Problem Sensitivity
72%
Oral Expression
72%
Speech Clarity
69%
Near Vision
69%
Oral Comprehension
69%
Written Comprehension
69%
Information Ordering
69%
Speech Recognition
66%
Mathematical Reasoning
66%
Category Flexibility
63%
Fluency of Ideas
60%
Originality
60%
Flexibility of Closure
56%
Number Facility
50%
Far Vision
50%
Perceptual Speed
47%
Selective Attention
47%
Visualization
44%
Speed of Closure
44%
Memorization
35%
Hearing Sensitivity
25%
Auditory Attention
25%
Trunk Strength
25%
Time Sharing
25%
Depth Perception
22%
Visual Color Discrimination
22%
Wrist-Finger Speed
19%
Spatial Orientation
3%
Sound Localization
0%
Reaction Time
0%
Extent Flexibility
0%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
0%
Night Vision
0%
Stamina
0%
Static Strength
0%
Finger Dexterity
0%
Explosive Strength
0%
Peripheral Vision
0%
Multilimb Coordination
0%
Speed of Limb Movement
0%
Dynamic Strength
0%
Control Precision
0%
Glare Sensitivity
0%
Gross Body Equilibrium
0%
Rate Control
0%
Dynamic Flexibility
0%
Response Orientation
0%
Manual Dexterity
0%
Gross Body Coordination
0%

Work Activities

Getting Information
93%
Analyzing Data or Information
91%
Working with Computers
89%
Processing Information
85%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
84%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
77%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
76%
Thinking Creatively
72%
Documenting/Recording Information
71%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
69%
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
66%
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
66%
Developing Objectives and Strategies
65%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
64%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
60%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
60%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
57%
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
57%
Training and Teaching Others
56%
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
52%
Developing and Building Teams
51%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
50%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
44%
Scheduling Work and Activities
44%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
44%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
44%
Selling or Influencing Others
41%
Coaching and Developing Others
41%
Performing Administrative Activities
38%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
37%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
36%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
29%
Staffing Organizational Units
26%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
22%
Controlling Machines and Processes
15%
Assisting and Caring for Others
14%
Performing General Physical Activities
13%
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
12%
Handling and Moving Objects
10%
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
10%
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
9%

Work Context

E-Mail

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

97%

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

85%

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

85%

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

82%

Telephone Conversations

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

81%

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

79%

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

77%

Duration of Typical Work Week

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

74%

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

73%

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

64%

Written Letters and Memos

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

63%

Level of Competition

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

60%

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

59%

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

59%

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

56%

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

52%

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

49%

Frequency of Decision Making

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

46%

Public Speaking

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

45%

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

41%

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

40%

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

39%

Conflict Situations

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

35%

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

33%

Health and Safety of Other Workers

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

32%

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

27%

Consequence of Error

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

26%

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

26%

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

25%

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

25%

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?

25%

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

23%

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

23%

Exposed to Contaminants

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

20%

Outdoors, Under Cover

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

20%

Work Schedules

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

20%

Degree of Automation

How automated is the job?

15%

Spend Time Walking or Running

How much does this job require walking or running?

14%

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

14%

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

13%

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

11%

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

11%

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

9%

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

8%

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

6%

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

5%

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

5%

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

4%

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

4%

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

4%

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

4%

Exposed to High Places

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

3%

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

3%

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

3%

Exposed to Disease or Infections

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

2%

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

2%

Exposed to Radiation

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

1%

Education

Master's degree

65%

Bachelor's degree

22%

Doctoral degree

9%

Interests

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f

100

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t

60

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum

50

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis

34

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,

19

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

16

Work Values

Achievement
83%
Independence
72%
Working Conditions
70%
Recognition
61%
Relationships
45%
Support
39%

Ready to pursue a career as Industrial Ecologists?

Create a professional resume that highlights the right skills and experience for this role.

Build Your Resume Now