Environmental Economists
People classed as Environmental Economists conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Its interest code is IEC. Investigative leads at 7.0 out of 7, so expect research, analysis and working through hard problems, with Enterprising next at 4.1. The preparation level is extensive preparation, typically graduate school and often five years or more of related experience. O*NET’s skill data points to writing, reading comprehension, and mathematics as the ones to build. The job can ask you to write technical documents or academic articles to communicate study results or economic forecasts. It tends to suit people who want research, analysis and working through hard problems, and it offers little for anyone seeking helping, teaching or caring for people.
What they do
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.
Main 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.
- Prepare and deliver presentations to communicate economic and environmental study results, to present policy recommendations, or to raise awareness of environmental consequences.
- Develop programs or policy recommendations to achieve environmental goals in cost-effective ways.
Skills
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Mathematics
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Active Learning
Who this career fits
May suit you if
- You enjoy working out why something happens, not just what happened.
- You like taking the lead and making the call.
- You are prepared for graduate-level study and a long training path.
- You are comfortable relying on writing and reading comprehension.
May not suit you if
- You lose interest when a job asks for long stretches of analysis.
- You want helping people to be at the center of your work. Social rates 2.3 out of 7 here.
- You want to be working in the field within the next few years.
Interest profile
O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code IEC takes the three highest, and Investigative comes first here.
Preparation
Extensive preparation. Many jobs here need graduate study, and people often spend five years or more building specialist experience.
Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Doctoral Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.
Also called
- Environmental Economist
- Natural Resource Economist
- Research Economist
- Resource Economist
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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.