Imagine you are an environmental water quality analyst for the municipality's water treatment facility, tasked with investigating water pollution in the area. It is early morning, and you are at the river that runs through several communities, preparing to conduct an environmental site assessment.
Your goal is to identify the potential sources of contamination affecting the water quality. You collect water samples from various locations along the river. To establish a baseline, you measure pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen levels. These initial tests are crucial for understanding the extent of the pollution.
While conducting the assessment, you engage with local community members. They express concerns about the river's declining health, vital for their daily needs and the local ecosystem. Their observations and experiences provide valuable insights into possible pollution sources, including recent industrial developments upstream.
From the data collected and community input, you determine industrial runoff might contribute to pollution. The water sample shows low dissolved oxygen levels and higher temperatures, supporting your hypothesis. You compile a report of your findings and recommendations, including further investigation of industrial activities and community engagement in monitoring efforts.
Your work today is a critical step towards identifying the source of pollution and implementing solutions to restore the river's health. It underscores the essential role of water quality specialists in protecting water resources and supporting community well-being.
Job duties vary from one position to the next, but in general, water quality specialists are involved in the following activities:
If you are a high school student considering a career as an environmental geophysicist, you should have a keen interest in:
If you are a post-secondary student considering a career as an environmental geophysicist, the following programs are most applicable.
In most cases, the minimum education requirement to work as an environmental geophysicist is a graduate degree. Pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in fields related to environmental geophysics can enhance your expertise, career prospects, and ability to contribute to the field. These advanced degrees offer specialized knowledge and skills highly valued in both the professional and academic worlds.
In many provinces, geophysicists must obtain registration and licensure with their provincial association as a Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.). The certification process for geophysicists is similar to that of engineering professions and is typically overseen by the same regulatory body.
Our Environmental Professional (EP) designation can also help you progress in your chosen environmental career.
Technical Skills
Personal and Professional Skills
Environmental employers look for professionals who can combine technical knowledge with soft skills. Watch our free webinar “Essential Not Optional: Skills Needed to Succeed in Canada’s Environmental Industry” or take our Essential Skills courses.
As key executive leaders who shape their company’s sustainability policy, CSOs work in many different types of organizations. Common employers of CSOs include:
Search for jobs on the ECO Canada Job Board.
If you are a post-secondary student seeking a CSO role in the future, consider pursuing a university degree related to:
In addition to the educational fields mentioned above, you will also need extensive management experience to become a CSO, with well-developed human resources management and leadership skills. Consider educational seminars or post-graduate studies that will hone your analytical thinking, such as:
Our Environmental Professional (EP) designation can also help you progress in your chosen environmental career.
Technical Skills
Personal and Professional Skills
Environmental employers seek professionals who combine technical knowledge with personal and professional skills. Watch our free webinar “Essential Not Optional: Skills Needed to Succeed in Canada’s Environmental Industry” or take our Essential Skills courses.
Water quality specialists protect the environment by ensuring water sources are safe for human consumption and ecological health. This occupation monitors water bodies for pollutants and contaminants, which can harm aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity.
As an environmental role, it involves assessing the effects of human activity on water quality, implementing measures to prevent pollution, and promoting sustainable water management practices. The sustainability impact of this role is significant, as specialists work to conserve water resources, reduce the consumption of treated water, and advocate for the protection of natural water bodies.
Economically, their work helps avoid the high costs associated with water pollution, such as health care expenses for waterborne diseases and the restoration of polluted water systems. Socially, ensuring access to clean water supports community health and well-being, reduces the burden of water-related diseases, and promotes social equity by making safe water accessible to all.
Water quality specialists are critical to pursuing a sustainable future, balancing environmental protection with economic and social needs.
Marine geologists are classified into the following occupational grouping:
NOC Code: 21102 – Geoscientists and oceanographers
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) provides a standardized language for describing the work performed by Canadians in the labour market. It gives statisticians, labour market analysts, career counsellors, employers, and individual job seekers a consistent way to collect data and describe and understand the nature of work within different occupations.
See ECO’s Blue National Occupational Standard for a career competency profile for a marine geologist that outlines the specific skills, knowledge, and behaviours required for individuals to perform effectively in this particular role. This profile is a benchmark for training and development, ensuring consistency and quality across professions within the blue economy.
Dans un esprit de respect, de réciprocité et de vérité, nous honorons et reconnaissons Moh’kinsstis, le territoire traditionnel du Traité 7 et les pratiques orales de la confédération des Pieds-Noirs : Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, ainsi que les nations Îyâxe Nakoda et Tsuut’ina. Nous reconnaissons que ce territoire abrite la Nation métisse de l’Alberta, la région 3 au sein de la patrie historique des Métis du Nord-Ouest. Enfin, nous reconnaissons toutes les nations qui vivent, travaillent et se divertissent sur ce territoire, et qui l’honorent et le célèbrent.
In the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and truth, we acknowledge that we live, work, and gather on the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, including the Blackfoot Confederacy—comprising the Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani Nations—as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina Nations.
This land, known as Moh’kinsstis in the Blackfoot language and encompassing what is now Districts 5 and 6, is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3, within the historical Northwest Métis homeland.
We recognize and honour the deep connection these Nations have to the land, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share in its stewardship.
As we continue our work, we commit to learning from Indigenous knowledge systems, uplifting Indigenous voices, and fostering relationships rooted in equity, understanding, and reconciliation.
Nous travaillons actuellement sur la version française du site que nous espérons lancer très bientôt!
Merci pour votre patience et compréhension pendant que nous finalisons la version améliorée du site.
We are working to launch the French site very soon!
Thank you for your patience while we finalize the new and improved version of our website.