Table of Contents
Environmental Engineers
Environmental Engineers
The 40% risk score reflects the overall automation risk of your profession on a scale of 0–100. The higher the score, the more likely parts of your role could be handled by AI, increasing efficiency, but also raising the possibility of job disruption. Nearly all jobs include tasks that are automatable to some degree.
In this role, you research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology. Your job is considered Low Risk for AI automation.
Below is your job's AI vulnerability profile with detailed breakdowns of tasks, knowledge areas, skills, and abilities. Each item includes AI risk scores and importance ratings to help you prioritize what to focus on. Plus, explore the technology section to see what tools and software you'll likely encounter in this role.
You're already ahead of the curve by checking your risk and exploring your options. This project goes beyond one role, we’re building a global job warning system to help everyone stay ahead of AI. By supporting our research, you’ll unlock your full job profile, including detailed risk breakdowns, trend alerts, and priority access to new research. Supporting our research not only gives you deeper insights into your own role, it helps us keep this project alive for millions of others navigating the future of work, but don't worry, if you are not ready to support us, we provide enough free insights to get you started.
In the meantime explore the sections below, and don't miss the What to do next? section for practical steps you can start today.
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On the job, you would
On-the-job activities and responsibilities that define your role. Each task is analyzed for automation potential and contributes to your overall AI risk assessment.
Maintaining records can be partially automated with AI tools, but human oversight ensures accuracy and compliance with regulations.
Updating plans and permits involves understanding regulatory changes and organizational needs, which require human judgment and decision-making.
Providing technical support for remediation projects involves specialized knowledge and strategic thinking, which are not easily automated by AI.
Monitoring environmental programs involves data analysis and understanding of environmental impacts, which can be partially automated but requires human expertise.
Inspecting facilities for compliance involves on-site evaluations and understanding of regulations, which require human presence and judgment.
Training staff involves interpersonal skills and adaptability to learners' needs, which are challenging for AI to replicate.
Reporting on project progress involves analysis and communication skills, which are not fully automatable by AI.
Advising on cleanup procedures involves specialized knowledge and strategic thinking, which are not easily automated by AI.
Advising on environmental policies requires understanding of regulations and strategic communication, which are challenging for AI to automate.
Knowledge
Theoretical knowledge and understanding required for your position. Knowledge areas are evaluated for AI replacement likelihood and factor into your risk score.
Administration and Management
3.29RiskAdministration and Management involve repetitive, data-driven tasks (e.g., scheduling, reporting, workflow automation) that AI can handle efficiently, while strategic decision-making remains partially human-centric.
Administrative
2.43RiskAdministrative tasks involve repetitive, rule-based processes that AI can automate efficiently with RPA and NLP.
Economics and Accounting
3.1RiskEconomics and Accounting involve repetitive data analysis, forecasting, and bookkeeping tasks that AI can automate efficiently, though some judgment-based aspects may require human oversight.
Sales and Marketing
2.9RiskSales and Marketing involve repetitive tasks (e.g., data analysis, email automation) that AI can handle, but require human judgment for relationship-building, creative strategy, and complex negotiations.
Customer and Personal Service
3.62RiskThis domain includes both routine customer service tasks (automatable) and personal interaction needs (less automatable), with AI likely to handle 60% of potential automation in the next five years.
Personnel and Human Resources
2.65RiskPersonnel and Human Resources involves repetitive tasks like payroll, scheduling, and resume screening that AI can automate efficiently, with growing capabilities in data analysis and process optimization.
Production and Processing
2.38RiskProduction and Processing involve repetitive, structured tasks that AI can automate efficiently, such as quality control, data analysis, and workflow management.
Computers and Electronics
3.6RiskThe domain involves repetitive manufacturing, testing, and customer support tasks that AI can automate, with growing capabilities in complex design and analysis tasks.
Engineering and Technology
4.95RiskEngineering and Technology involve repetitive, data-driven tasks (e.g., coding, simulations, diagnostics) that AI can automate efficiently, with growing capabilities in complex problem-solving and system design.
Skills
Practical abilities and competencies you need to perform your job effectively. Skills are assessed for automation vulnerability and help determine your AI risk level.
Reading Comprehension
4Active Listening
4Writing
4Speaking
4Mathematics
3.38Critical Thinking
4Active Learning
3.75Learning Strategies
3Abilities
Innate and learned capabilities that enable you to succeed in your role. Abilities are analyzed for AI replication potential and contribute to your overall risk assessment.
Oral Comprehension
4RiskOral comprehension involves nuanced understanding of speech, context, and tone, which AI is advancing but not yet fully automated in complex real-world scenarios.
Written Comprehension
4RiskWritten comprehension involves tasks like text analysis, summarization, and question-answering, which AI already excels at through advanced NLP models. These capabilities are likely to be fully automated within 5 years.
Oral Expression
4RiskOral Expression involves complex, context-dependent communication that requires nuance, adaptability, and real-time interaction, which current AI systems struggle to fully replicate, though some aspects like script generation may be automated.
Written Expression
4RiskWritten Expression involves nuanced understanding, creativity, and context, which AI can partially replicate but not fully, limiting automation potential in complex or original tasks.
Fluency of Ideas
3.75Fluency of Ideas involves complex, context-dependent creativity and adaptability that current AI lacks, even with advancements in generative models.
Originality
3.62Originality requires creative insight and novel synthesis of ideas, which AI currently lacks, though it may generate novel content based on patterns rather than true originality.
Problem Sensitivity
4Problem Sensitivity requires nuanced judgment, contextual understanding, and adaptability, which current AI systems lack. While AI can analyze data, true problem sensitivity involves human intuition, ethics, and creativity.
Deductive Reasoning
4RiskAI excels in structured deductive tasks but may struggle with complex, context-dependent reasoning requiring human intuition.
Inductive Reasoning
4RiskInductive reasoning involves pattern recognition and generalization, which AI already excels at through machine learning, with further advancements likely to enhance this capability in the next five years.
Technology Used
Tools, software, and technological systems you use in your work.
Expert Insights
Expert comments on the job, click on the expert to see their answers.
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What to do next?
Great news — your role is fairly safe for now, but it's smart to stay proactive. Choose your strategy below:
Recommended for Low Risk:
- • Upskill: Focus on human-centric skills that AI can't easily replicate (creativity, emotional intelligence, strategic thinking)
- • Use AI: Learn to leverage AI tools to enhance your productivity and stay ahead of the curve
- • Stay Alert: Monitor changes in your field to maintain your competitive advantage
Each tab contains curated resources designed to help you take the next step. More resources will be added over time.
Top Learning Platforms
Coursera
Unlimited access to 2,000+ courses from top universities.
LinkedIn Learning
Short, practical videos for on-the-job upskilling.
ADPList
Free global mentorship from experienced professionals in design, product, and tech.
Skillshare
Hands-on creative workshops to build your portfolio.
Udemy
Affordable deep dives on tech, leadership & more.
Top Learning Platforms
Coursera
Unlimited access to 2,000+ courses from top universities.
LinkedIn Learning
Short, practical videos for on-the-job upskilling.
ADPList
Free global mentorship from experienced professionals in design, product, and tech.
Skillshare
Hands-on creative workshops to build your portfolio.
Udemy
Affordable deep dives on tech, leadership & more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, a Environmental Engineers has a 40% AI risk score, which is considered low risk. While some tasks in this role may be automated, the profession as a whole is for now, relatively safe from complete replacement. The key is understanding which specific aspects of your job are most vulnerable, some of which are shown on this page.
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