Industrial Ecologists

19-2041.03

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.

Occupation-Specific Information

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.
• Examine local, regional, or global use and flow of materials or energy in industrial production processes.
• Monitor the environmental impact of development activities, pollution, or land degradation.
• 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.
• Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.
• Plan or conduct field research on topics such as industrial production, industrial ecology, population ecology, and environmental production or sustainability.
• Create complex and dynamic mathematical models of population, community, or ecological systems.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of industrial ecology programs, using statistical analysis and applications.
• Forecast future status or condition of ecosystems, based on changing industrial practices or environmental conditions.
• 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.
• Investigate the impact of changed land management or land use practices on ecosystems.
• Develop or test protocols to monitor ecosystem components and ecological processes.
• 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.
• Investigate accidents affecting the environment to assess ecological impact.
• 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 the adaptability of various animal and plant species to changed environmental conditions.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - Economic Input-Output Life Cycle Assessment EIO-LCA; PRe Consultants SimaPro; Production Flow Analysis and Simplification Toolkit PFAST; SAS 🔥; StataCorp Stata; STATISTICA; Substance Flow Analysis STAN; The MathWorks MATLAB 🔥; Wolfram Research Mathematica
• Cloud-based data access and sharing software - Microsoft SharePoint 🔥
• Cloud-based management software - Splunk Enterprise 🔥
• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD 🔥; Dassault Systemes CATIA
• Customer relationship management CRM software - Salesforce software 🔥
• Data base management system software - Apache Hadoop 🔥; Microsoft SQL Server 🔥; NoSQL 🔥
• Data base user interface and query software - Microsoft Access 🔥; Online databases; Oracle Database 🔥; Structure query language SQL
• Development environment software - Microsoft Visual Studio 🔥
• Document management software - Adobe Acrobat 🔥
• Electronic mail software - Email software
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - Enterprise resource planning ERP software; Microsoft Dynamics 🔥; Microsoft Dynamics AX; SAP software 🔥
• File versioning software - Git 🔥
• Geographic information system - ESRI ArcGIS software 🔥
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe Illustrator 🔥; Adobe Photoshop 🔥
• Internet browser software - Web browser software
• Object or component oriented development software - C# 🔥; Oracle Java 🔥; Python 🔥
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Operating system software - Linux 🔥; Microsoft Windows 🔥
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint
• Process mapping and design software - Microsoft Visio 🔥
• Program testing software - Debugging software
• Project management software - Atlassian JIRA 🔥
• Sales and marketing software - Sales Automation Software
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel

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

• Research environmental impact of industrial or development activities.
• Identify sustainable business practices.
• Develop sustainable industrial or development methods.
• Research impacts of environmental conservation initiatives.
• Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge.
• Prepare research or technical reports on environmental issues.
• Communicate results of environmental research.
• Monitor environmental impacts of production or development activities.
• Develop technical or scientific databases.
• Advise others about environmental management or conservation.
• Apply knowledge or research findings to address environmental problems.
• Develop environmental sustainability plans or projects.
• Conduct research on social issues.
• Plan environmental research.
• Develop mathematical models of environmental conditions.
• Develop plans to manage natural or renewable resources.
• Appraise environmental impact of regulations or policies.
• Analyze environmental data.
• Promote environmental sustainability or conservation initiatives.
• Prepare information or documentation related to legal or regulatory matters.
• Plan natural resources conservation or restoration programs.
• Conduct research of processes in natural or industrial ecosystems.