Environmental Economists

19-3011.01

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.

Occupation-Specific Information

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.
• 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

• Analytical or scientific software - Aptech Systems GAUSS; Camfit Data Limited Microfit; Econometric Software LIMDEP; Estima Regression Analysis of Time Series RATS; General algebraic modeling system GAMS; Global Insight AREMOS; IBM SPSS Statistics 🔥; Insightful S-PLUS; Minitab; Quantitative Micro Software EViews; SAS 🔥; StataCorp Stata; The MathWorks MATLAB 🔥; Wolfram Research Mathematica
• Business intelligence and data analysis software - Tableau 🔥
• Data base user interface and query software - Microsoft Access 🔥; Microsoft SQL Server 🔥; MySQL 🔥; Structure query language SQL
• Development environment software - C 🔥; Formula translation/translator FORTRAN; Microsoft Visual Basic 🔥; Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA 🔥; Microsoft Visual Studio 🔥
• Electronic mail software - Microsoft Outlook 🔥
• Geographic information system - ESRI ArcGIS software 🔥; Geographic information system GIS software
• Internet browser software - Web browser software
• Object or component oriented development software - C# 🔥; C++ 🔥; Python 🔥
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software 🔥
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel 🔥
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

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.