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As an environmental engineer, you shine in creating sustainable solutions, leading eco-conscious teams and ensuring projects benefit the earth. Writing a resume that highlights these unique skills might seem challenging at first glance.
But remember, no challenge is too tough for you. Armed with the right tools, turning your extensive experience into an engaging resume is within your grasp. Given your history of solving environmental issues and guiding teams toward green achievements, preparing a standout resume is just another task you’re more than capable of accomplishing.
This guide will show you:
- Inspirational environmental engineer resume samples.
- Key components of standout resumes.
- Strategies to highlight your environmental impact.
- Clear guidance for crafting each resume section.
- Advice on selecting the right resume layout and design.
Are you ready to plant the seeds for your next career milestone? Head over to our AI Resume Builder. Pick a template that aligns with your environmental values, and receive customized guidance and premade content for your entire resume.
Environmental engineer resume examples
What makes this a great environmental engineer resume sample?
- Features specific technical skills
This resume stands out because it lists specific technical skills relevant to environmental engineering, such as “soil sample collection” and “the use of electronic microscopes.”
- Goes into detail in the skills section
The resume’s skills section is comprehensive, covering a wide range of capabilities from “land and water surveying” to demonstrating “exceptional attention to detail.”
- Starts with an objective statement
The resume opens with a compelling objective that clearly outlines the candidate’s professional goals and grabs the hiring manager’s attention.
What makes this a great environmental engineer resume sample?
- Utilizes a two-column design
This resume’s two-column layout effectively brings more crucial information toward the top, like the candidate’s education and certifications.
- Runs down certifications
The candidate’s certifications, including a Professional Engineer license and a project management certification, are prominently featured, underscoring the job seeker’s technical abilities.
- Shows impact with quantifiable achievements
The resume includes specific metrics, such as achieving a 20% reduction in overall environmental impact on projects, providing concrete evidence of the candidate’s capacity to deliver.
Looking for a specific job title? Check out more engineering resume examples that might be of interest to you:
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Format your environmental engineer resume
When you’re working on environmental engineering projects, showcasing your expertise and project achievements is essential for advancing your career. The resume format you choose can help you accomplish this.
You have three primary resume formats to choose from, tailored to your professional journey:
- For experienced environmental engineers, the chronological resume format is ideal. This approach lets you chronicle your work history and key achievements, starting with your most recent position.
- For those transitioning or just starting in the field of environmental engineering, the functional resume format is recommended. This layout emphasizes your skills, such as analytical thinking, project management and adherence to environmental regulations.
- For midcareer professionals, the combination resume format is the best fit. This style gives ample space to both your skills and work history.
For many environmental engineers, the chronological resume is often the most straightforward and effective as it’s familiar to hiring managers and clearly maps your career growth.
After selecting the optimal format for you, the next step is to make your resume visually appealing.
Choose the right resume template
As an expert in environmental engineering, you have the freedom to choose a resume template that reflects your professional identity.
Choosing wisely is like selecting the right tools for a project:
- For positions in traditional or conservative organizations, opt for a simple template. It communicates your focus on efficiency and project outcomes.
- If you’re targeting roles in innovative or eco-conscious companies, a creative resume can highlight your forward-thinking approach and commitment to sustainability.
Remember, many templates — including ours — are user-friendly, compatible with both Microsoft Word and Google Docs.
Let’s craft a resume that positions you as a leader in the environmental engineering field.
How to write an environmental engineer resume in 5 easy steps
The secret to a standout resume is customizing it for each job application, and you can achieve this for your environmental engineer resume in just five simple steps.
Step 1
Match your resume to the job description
In environmental engineering, details matter a lot, just like in any project. This is very important for your resume too. Many companies have software — called applicant tracking systems (ATS) — that check resumes for certain words related to the job. To make your resume pass the ATS, you must use the same words the job ad uses.
So, look at the job ad closely. Find important skills and tasks they talk about — like “environmental compliance,” “sustainable development,” “water management” and “technical analysis.”
These aren’t just fancy words — they’re keywords essential to making your resume fit what the job needs. Using these words helps make sure your resume gets past the computer systems and to the person hiring, showing them you have the skills they want in an environmental engineer.
Step 2
Begin with a strong intro
Start your resume strongly by picking a professional summary or an objective, based on your experience in environmental engineering.
For experienced environmental engineers, a professional summary is great. It quickly shows your career achievements and top skills. It’s the best way to highlight your experience with successful environmental projects.
If you’re new to environmental engineering, a resume objective might be better. This is your chance to share your goals and the valuable skills you have, even if they’re not from environmental engineering.
Here are examples of both:
Environmental engineer professional summary example:
Experienced environmental engineer with over 10 years in sustainable project management. Proven success in reducing environmental impact and improving sustainability, with a history of enhancing efficiency by up to 40%. Known for strong leadership and expertise in regulatory compliance to ensure project excellence.
Environmental engineer resume objective example:
Motivated environmental engineer transitioning from water resource management, eager to apply in-depth knowledge of environmental science and project coordination to tackle challenging engineering projects. Focused on using educational background to boost project sustainability and innovation in environmental engineering.
Step 3
Highlight your environmental engineering skills
As an environmental engineer, you handle many tasks. Instead of listing every skill, choose the ones most important for your job and the position you want.
Include hard skills, such as specific technical knowledge, and soft skills, like your ability to work with others. Your mix of hard and soft skills proves you can lead a project to success.
Below are a handful of key skills for an environmental engineer resume.
- Water and waste management
- Renewable energy solutions
- Environmental compliance
- Sustainability assessments
- GIS and data analysis tools
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Flexibility
- Strategic thinking
Example of a strong skills section for an environmental engineer:
- Adept in using GIS tools for environmental analysis and planning.
- Proficient in executing sustainability assessments.
- Experienced in leading teams toward successful project completion.
- Skilled in environmental laws and regulations.
Being tech-savvy is crucial. In today’s job market, having good computer skills is a prerequisite. Feature them prominently.
Step 4
Build a strong work experience section
Your job history is your chance to showcase the environmental projects you’ve contributed to. Each project is different, but your goal with your resume is the same: to show your value.
Emphasize your past projects in a way that captures attention. Begin with your latest job and use bullet points to describe your role. Let your enthusiasm for environmental engineering and your project management skills stand out.
Use action verbs to make your experiences come alive and clearly convey your contributions and achievements.
For example, as an environmental engineer, a job entry would look like this:
Environmental Engineer, GreenTech Solutions
San Francisco, CA
April 2017 – April 2024
- Led the development of a new water purification project, reducing local water scarcity issues by 40%.
- Coordinated a team of 30+ specialists, fostering a commitment to safety, sustainability and collaboration, which increased project completion efficiency by 20%.
- Obtained $5 million in funding for renewable energy projects.
- Developed partnerships with environmental agencies and community organizations, improving project acceptance and impact.
Quantifying your achievements shows your impact clearly. For a role as impactful as environmental engineering, demonstrating your results with numbers is key.
Step 5
Outline your education
For environmental engineers, your education section demonstrates your theoretical knowledge and practical skills. While degrees are significant, certifications that show you can apply your expertise in real-world situations are also highly valued.
If you’re new to the role, go beyond just adding degrees to your resume. Illustrate how your academic background and certifications have equipped you for the challenges in environmental engineering.
How to list your environmental engineering education:
EDUCATION
PhD in Environmental Engineering
Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Dissertation: “Innovative Approaches to Wastewater Treatment and Reuse in Urban Environments”
Master of Science in Environmental Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Focus Areas: Advanced Water Treatment Technologies, Climate Change Adaptation Strategies
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Key Courses: Environmental Systems Analysis, Water Resource Management, Renewable Energy Technologies
Certifications:
- Professional Engineer (PE) in Environmental Engineering, National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)
- LEED Green Associate Certification
- Certified in Advanced GIS Techniques for Environmental Engineering
- Water Quality Management Certification
Optional sections for your environmental engineer resume
Professional affiliations
Membership in environmental engineering organizations reflects your ongoing commitment to the profession, showcasing your dedication to staying informed and connected. Being active in these groups can bolster your resume by highlighting your investment in professional development and networking.
How to list professional affiliations on your environmental engineer resume:
- Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI)
- Active participant in the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP)
Publications
Publishing research or articles related to environmental engineering demonstrates your expertise and contribution to advancing the field. This section can distinguish you as a thought leader and innovator.
How to format publications on your environmental engineer resume:
- Doe, J., & Smith, A. (2023). “Innovative Water Purification Techniques for Rural Areas.” Journal of Environmental Engineering, 29(2), 157-175.
- Doe, J. (2022). “Reducing Urban Carbon Footprints Through Sustainable Infrastructure.” Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Development, 446-452.
Awards and honors
Awards and honors received for your work in environmental engineering can significantly differentiate you from others. These awards underscore your skill, leadership and impact on the field.
How to list awards on your environmental engineer resume:
- Environmental Innovation Award – 2023: Recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency for developing a low-cost, sustainable water filtration system.
- Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Engineering – 2021: Awarded by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists for exceptional project leadership.
Volunteer experience
Volunteering shows your willingness to apply your environmental engineering skills for the benefit of the community or environmental causes. Volunteer experience can also highlight your leadership abilities and dedication to social and environmental improvement.
How to list volunteer experience on your environmental engineer resume:
- Engineers Without Borders: Led a project to design and implement a clean water system for a remote village, impacting over 2,000 residents.
- Local River Clean-Up Initiative: Organized and participated in efforts to clean and restore local riverbanks, promoting biodiversity and community health.
Hobbies and interests
While not directly related to environmental engineering, sharing your hobbies and interests can offer insights into your personality and values, potentially resonating with the ethos of the organization.
How to list hobbies and interests on your environmental engineer resume:
- Wildlife Photography: Passionate about capturing and sharing images of local wildlife to promote conservation awareness.
- Community Gardening: Active member of a community garden, emphasizing sustainable practices and local food production.
Add a cover letter
Wondering if you, as an environmental engineer, should include a cover letter? While it may not always be required, a well-crafted cover letter can greatly enhance your application.
This document gives you the opportunity to go into more detail about your expertise, notable achievements and the path that has led you to the field of environmental engineering. It’s the perfect space to showcase specific projects you’ve worked on, leadership experiences, or to address any changes in your career path.
For help, look into our advice on how to write a cover letter and examine cover letter examples that have helped others land jobs. These resources will guide you on what elements contribute to a compelling cover letter.
Ready to start writing? Our Cover Letter Generator ensures your cover letter aligns with the professional appearance of your resume. With our cover letter templates, there’s no need to worry about starting from scratch or formatting issues.
Here are some important tips to keep in mind as you prepare your cover letter and resume package for your role in environmental engineering.
Environmental engineer resume — key takeaways
Create a powerful summary
Kick off with a strong summary that distills your identity as an environmental engineer, underscoring your major wins and aspirations. Grab this chance to forge an unforgettable initial impact.
Lead with environmental expertise
Being a distinguished environmental engineer means being an influential leader. Your resume should illuminate your leadership prowess, from orchestrating teams to guiding environmental projects toward their goals.
Showcase measurable achievements
Detail your achievements with precise figures. Highlighting efforts like reducing waste, conserving water or cutting energy use with clear metrics underscores your effectiveness.
Highlight ongoing learning
Demonstrate your commitment to evolving within the environmental engineering landscape. Share any recent training, certifications or educational advancements you’ve pursued.
Spotlight key projects
Your resume should feature important projects you’ve spearheaded, especially those with significant environmental impacts or breakthroughs. Outline the project’s scale, your involvement and its success.
Feature awards
Distinguish your resume by including any accolades or recognitions from the environmental engineering sector. These distinctions affirm your skill and influence in the profession.
Ensure a polished design
The format of your resume is as crucial as its content. A meticulously organized, error-free resume mirrors your professionalism and detail-oriented approach.
Commonly asked questions about resume writing
Last Updated: January 01, 2025
Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.
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