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University of North Florida
Environmentally Focused Academic Programs
Needs Survey
2005-2006
Ray Bowman Executive Director, Environmental Center
David Fenner
Environmental Center Academic Initiative Coordinator
Academic Initiative Task Force Members
Cathy Cavanaugh Jace Hargis Stephan Nix Bart Welling
College of Education and Human Services
Office of Faculty Enhancement
College of Computing, Engineering and
Construction
College of Arts and Sciences
Support
Abby Howard Murphy David Wilson Erin Soles Environmental Center Center for Instruction & Research Technology
2
Executive Summary The UNF Environmental Center recently conducted an employer needs survey for environmentally focused degree programs. This survey was designed to collect data regarding the knowledge, skills, and training that environmentally focused jobs, principally but not exclusively in Jacksonville, will require over the next five to ten years. In addition, data was collected on the numbers of jobs projected to be available over this time. Two hundred and one surveys were sent out. Eighty-eight responses were received. The data and interpretation that are presented in this report speak directly and concretely to (1) the programs we should develop to meet these upcoming needs, and (2) the curriculum components these programs should include. This survey projects that over the next five years there will be at least 1700 new jobs in environmentally focused careers in the immediate region UNF serves. With regard to bachelors level preparation, there is strong demand for UNF graduates trained in environmental engineering, water quality & treatment, geoscience (including hydrology, soil analysis, etc.), and field testing and monitoring. With regard to preparation at the masters level, the strongest demand is for students trained in environmental biology, ecosystem management, natural resource management, environmental planning, and environmental engineering. The Environmental Center’s Executive Board believes that this survey clearly demonstrates the need for new academic programs at UNF and perhaps for the strengthening of the existing MS program in ecology/environmental biology. The center is committed to supporting the development of such programs and curricula and the hiring of new faculty to fill whatever gaps are present in the colleges and departments from which these new programs will emanate.
3
Introduction In the fall of 2005, the UNF Environmental Center sent 201 surveys to organizations broadly conceived as “environmental” requesting information concerning the state of the employment market. A copy of the survey instrument is reproduced in Appendix A. A list of those receiving the survey is in Appendix B. The recipients were chosen by a subgroup of faculty representing all five UNF colleges. Deans Jaffee, Coulter and Chally responded to invitations to review the survey instrument and the list of recipients. The Center received 88 completed surveys. The survey’s first question asked the recipient to identify to which of five “categories” her or his company belonged. The questionnaire allowed multiple responses, but to correctly represent the total number of responses received, each organization is listed only once in Table 1. Table 1. Survey Recipients and Respondents by Category
Constituency Recipients of the Survey Responders to the Survey
Industry 80 recipients 14 responders
Government - Non-Military 45 recipients 28 responders
Consulting 42 recipients 32 responders
Non-Profit 29 recipients 9 responders
Government - Military 4 recipients 4 responders
Other 1 recipient 1 responder
Totals 201 survey recipients 88 responders
Results Figure 1 shows these data in a graphical format generated by the survey software. Because a small number of respondents chose to represent their organization by more than one category, the response frequencies (upper right of figure) are slightly higher than those listed in Table 1.
Fig. 1 Respondents by category
Govt
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Figures 2 and 3 show respectively the location of the respondents’ offices and the area served. Most of the responding organizations have an office in Jacksonville (70%). Only about 13% confine their service area to Jacksonville and its immediate area, the rest are more broadly focused as shown in the Figure 3.
Fig 2. Location of office nearest Jacksonville Fig. 3. Area served by respondents. The sizes of respondent organizations in terms of the total number of employees are shown in Figure 4 at present and in ten years. The data indicate a clear trend with small organizations (fewer than 100 employees) growing to larger organizations.
Organization Size
0
5
10
15
20
25
<10 10-25 26-100 101-1000 >1000Total Number of Employees
Num
ber o
f Res
pond
ants
Now In Ten Years
Fig. 4. Total number of employees, now and ten years from now
These data represent only the 88 survey recipients who responded. To project the data as a predictor of potential employment opportunities among all the organizations, an upper estimate might be obtained by multiplying our survey results by the ratio of survey recipients to survey respondents, 201/88 or roughly 2.3. (See also Figure 9 below.)
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Figure 5 gives an indication of the proximity of all employment positions among the respondents to Jacksonville (within 60 miles) at present and in ten years. The trend shows roughly the same growth pattern as the previous figure with the largest relative increase in positions among companies with more than 100 employees.
Employees Within 60 Miles
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
<10 10-25 26-100 101-1000 >1000
Total Number of Employees
Num
ber o
f Res
pond
ants
Now In Ten Years
Fig. 5. Number of employees within 60 miles of Jacksonville, now and ten years from now
Survey recipients were asked to identify the knowledge areas they believe are important in those programs training their future employees. The choices presented in the survey are shown in Table 2. Environmental Health & Safety, Human Health & Ecological Risk Assessment, and Public/Community Health/Epidemiology were suggested by Dean Chally. Respondents could choose as many knowledge areas as they wished and add open-ended comments. Table 2. Knowledge Area Choices Environmental Engineering Environmental Health & Safety Geoscience Incl. Hydrology, Soil Analysis, Etc. Human Health & Ecological Risk Assessment Environmental Chemistry Public/Community Health/Epidemiology Environmental Biology Incl. Ecology, Botany Hazardous Waste Limnology, Oceanography Solid Waste Aquaculture & Fisheries Remedial Investigations Forestry Water Quality & Treatment Natural Resource Management Air Quality & Air Pollution Control Energy Efficiency & Alternative Energy Environmental Policy or Law Environmental Planning Field Sampling & Monitoring Environmental/Ecosystem Management Eco-Tourism, Civic Environmental Education
Further, respondents were asked to indicate for each of these knowledge areas, whether two-year technician training was sufficient (associates degree), whether a four-year degree was required (bachelors degree), or if six-years of training was preferred (masters degree).
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Figure 6 displays the results for all respondents in order of preference for bachelors degree areas of knowledge. The most frequently selected knowledge area for an environmentally related bachelors degree is environmental engineering (top of graph). The least popular choice was energy efficiency and alternative energy (bottom).
Bachelors Degree Knowledge Preferences
0 10 20 30 40 50
Energy
Community Health
Aquaculture
Limno/Oceanography
Solid Waste
Forestry
Health Risk Assmt
Eco Tourism
Air Quality
Remediation
Env Chemistry
Env Health & Safety
Env Law
Haz Mat
Nat Res Mgmt
Env Planning
Eco Mgmt
Field Sampling/Monitoring
Geoscience
Water Quality
Env Biology
Env Engineering
Number Responses
Fig.6. Bachelors knowledge area preferences sorted by response (See Table 2 on page 5 for complete knowledge area titles.)
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Figure 7 displays similar results for masters-level education. Sorted in order of preference, the most frequently chosen knowledge area for master-level environmental education is environmental biology (top). The least popular is again energy efficiency and alternative energy (bottom).
Masters Degree Knowledge Preferences
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Energy
Solid Waste
Community Health
Air Quality
Health Risk Assmt
Eco Tourism
Aquaculture
Env Chemistry
Haz Mat
Field Sampling/Monitoring
Forestry
Env Health & Safety
Limno/Oceanography
Env Law
Geoscience
Remediation
Water Quality
Env Planning
Nat Res Mgmt
Env Engineering
Eco Mgmt
Env Biology
Number Responses
Fig. 7. Masters knowledge area preferences sorted by response (See Table 2 on page 5 for complete knowledge area titles.)
The closeness of the response frequencies in Figures 6 and 7 suggests that there are only slight differences in preference among knowledge areas but the difference between those most preferred and those least preferred is striking. There seems to be a clear preference at the bachelors level for environmental engineering, environmental biology, water quality & treatment, geoscience (including hydrology, soil analysis, etc.) and field sampling and monitoring. This latter knowledge area, field sampling and monitoring, was clearly the most popular preference at the associate degree level (Appendix C). At the masters level the top preferences are for environmental biology, ecosystem
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management, environmental engineering, natural resource management and environmental planning. Appendix C presents additional graphs for knowledge area preferences at the associates, bachelors and masters levels respectively. Each is sorted with the least preferred at the left, the most preferred to the right (instead of top to bottom as in Figures 6 and 7). The graphs displayed in Appendix C summarize data for all responses, consulting company preferences only, government (non-military) responses only, and industry preferences only. Also in Appendix C are reprinted the open-ended comments by the respondents on this survey question. Survey recipients were asked what general skills they preferred future employees to possess (Figure 8). The most desired of these “ancillary skills” was general communication (written and spoken). Good working relationships with peers, superiors and subordinates; ability to work independently; planning and organizing skills; basic computer knowledge; public interaction skills; project management and time management skills all scored high. When thinking about degree program development, these general skills are highly valued as represented by the very high percentage of responses. Perhaps these should be integrated into any new environmental program as components of technical courses, as specific non-technical courses or as areas of emphasis in general education courses. At the low end of the preferences were statistics, marketing and sales, community involvement, and advanced computer skills.
Desired General Skills
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Statistics
Marketing
Community Involve
Sales
Advanced Computer
Train Others
Technical Writing
Time Management
Manage Projects
Public Interaction
Basic Computer
Plan, Organize
Work Independently
Working Relations
General Comunication
Fig. 8. General skills desired, sorted by response
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In an attempt to estimate the number of jobs that might be available to UNF graduates with environmentally related degrees, survey recipients were asked how many environmentally skilled employees currently work for their organization and how many they expect to hire in the near future. Figure 9 shows that about 770 new jobs will be available over the next five years among just the companies responding. This increase of about 70%, if representative of all 201 organizations to which the survey was sent, would suggest over 1700 new environmental positions need to be filled in the next five years or more than 300 per year (not including replacement of retirees).
Number Environmental EmployeesAll Respondents
0 500 1000 1500 2000
Five Years From Now
Now
1113
1881
Fig. 9. Number of environmentally skilled employees
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Recommendations
Local organizations expect to hire approximately 300 new environmentally trained employees per year in the very near future according to this survey. This estimate does not include hires to replace retiring environmental workers1 nor job opportunities in companies not among the 201 surveyed. As Florida grows, this annual rate will accelerate. According to this survey, the large majority of new bachelor level hires must be trained in environmental engineering, water quality & treatment, geoscience (including hydrology, soil analysis, etc.) and field testing and monitoring. At the masters-level, new hires will be needed with skills in environmental biology, environmental/ecosystem management, natural resource management, environmental planning and environmental engineering. Some of these new positions may be filled by our graduates of the ecology/environmental track in the MS degree program in biology. In a sample of 34 environmentally focused job postings advertised between July 2005 and February 2006, the salary ranges for bachelors degree candidates was $30,000 - $65,000 per year (engineering positions were in the upper part of this range). The beginning salary for masters-degree candidates reached as high as $70,000. The Environmental Center’s Executive Board believes this survey documents the need for new UNF degree programs in environmental engineering and ecosystem/natural resource management and possibly for strengthening the ecology/environmental biology track in the biology department’s MS degree program.
1 JEA alone estimates about a dozen replacement hires will be needed over the next 5 years – Susan Hughes, (former) Vice President for Environmental Services, personal communication.
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Appendix A
Survey Instrument
12
New Environmental Programs at UNF – Needs Survey The University of North Florida’s Environmental Center is developing new academic degrees. To meet the needs of the market, we ask your help in identifying critical skills that would provide you with the types of employees you need and provide our students attractive employment opportunities in the environmental job market.
1. Please enter your organization’s name
2. Please describe your company
(check all that apply)
Industry Consulting Government – non-military Government – military Non-Profit Other (specify):
3. Location of office nearest Jacksonville
(check one)
Duval St. Johns Clay Nassau Flagler South Georgia Other (specify):
4. Area your company serves
(check one)
Jacksonville, FL and immediate area Northeast Florida Florida Southeast U.S.A. U.S.A. Global
5. Total number of employees now
(check one)
< 10 10-25 26-100 101-1000 > 1000 Other (specify):
6. Projected number of employees 10 years from now
(check one)
< 10 10-25 26-100 101-1000 > 1000 Other (specify):
7. Number of employees within 60 miles of Jacksonville, FL now
(check one)
< 10 10-25 26-100 101-1000 > 1000 Other (specify):
8. Projected number of employees within 60 miles of Jacksonville, FL 10 years from now
(check one)
< 10 10-25 26-100 101-1000 > 1000 Other (specify):
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9. Please select as many of the following knowledge areas applicable to your prospective hires in the foreseeable future.
(check all that apply)
Degree Level Length of training
Associate – AS 2 yr technician
Bachelors – BA/BS
4 yr professional
Masters – MS 6 yr post-professional
Environmental Engineering Geoscience Incl. Hydrology, Soil
Analysis, Etc.
Environmental Chemistry Environmental Biology Incl.
Ecology, Botany
Limnology, Oceanography Aquaculture & Fisheries Forestry Natural Resource
Management
Energy Efficiency & Alternative Energy Sources
Environmental Planning Environmental/Ecosystem
Management
Environmental Health & Safety
Human Health & Ecological Risk Assessment
Public/Community Health/Epidemiology
Hazardous Waste Solid Waste Remedial Investigations Water Quality & Treatment Air Quality & Air Pollution
Control
Environmental Policy or Law Field Sampling & Monitoring Eco-Tourism, Civic
Environmental Education
10. Comments on the question above
14
11. What general skills do you prefer your future employees possess? (check all that apply)
general communication– proficiency in written, verbal and presentation skills technical report writing time management and organizational skills ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments ability to manage projects / organization / record-keeping ability to train and instruct others / coaching ability to influence / persuade / sales skills marketing skills tactful and effective interaction with the public ability to work independently ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with subordinates, peers, and superiors
basic computer skills, e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, databases advanced computer skills, e.g., GIS, html, web design, data mining
specific software: statistical analysis knowledge community involvement/volunteerism-outreach experience other
If you selected other, please specify
12. How many environmentally skilled employees currently work for your
company in the Northeast Florida area? 13. Over the next 5 years, how many environmentally skilled employees do you
project your company will likely hire to work in the Northeast Florida area?
14. On the reverse side of this page (or separate page if faxing), please share
any thoughts you might have that might help us develop environmental programs that would help fit your needs in the future.
Return survey to or fax to UNF Environmental Center c/o Dept of Chemistry & Physics University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL 32224
(904) 620-2668
Questions? Call (904) 620-2662
15
Appendix B
List of Target Organizations
in the right column indicates response received
16
Type Name Response Access Environmental Associates, Inc. Adecco Technical Aerostar Environmental Services, Inc. Applied Technology & Management, Inc. Ayres Associates, Inc. Black & Veatch Dial Cordy and Associates, Inc. Dynamic Environmental Associates, Inc. E Sciences, Inc. Earth Systems Inc. Earth Tech Consulting, Inc. Ellis & Associates, Inc. EMS Scientists, Engineers, Planners Environmental Conservation Laboratories, Inc. Environmental Consulting & Technology, Inc. Environmental Resource Solutions, Inc. Environmental Services, Inc. Enviro-Resources Corp. Florida H.E.R.O. Genesis Group GLE Associates, Inc. Golder Associates Green Power Systems HealthLink Hillmann Environmental Group LLC LG2 Environmental Solutions, Inc.
Consulting
Liberty Environmental Solutions
Lipsey & Associates Toxicologist Miller Legg OHC Environmental Engineering, Inc. Onsite Environmental Consulting, LLC Parsons Pearce & Associates Professional Recruiters Professional Industrial Hygiene Services Reynolds, Smith and Hills, Inc. SI Group Taylor Engineering TBE Group Tetra Tech EC, Inc. The R-A-M Professional Group TranSystems Corporation
URS Corp.
Cary State Forest City of Jacksonville - Air & Water Quality Division City of Jacksonville - Animal Care and Control City of Jacksonville - Environmental Protection Board City of Jacksonville - Environmental Resource Mgt. City of Jacksonville - Mayor's Office City of Jacksonville - Parks and Recreation City of Jacksonville - Preservation Project Clay County - Dept. of Environmental Services Clay County Health Department
Government
Duval County Health Dept.
17
First Coast Metropolitan Planning Organization FL Bureau of Epidemiology FL Dept. of Health - Jacksonville Central Laboratory Flagler County Health Department Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Florida League of Cities Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources Guana Tolomato Matanzas Nat. Estuarine Research Reserve Jacksonville - Clean It Up, Green It Up Division Jacksonville Airport Authority Jacksonville Port Authority Jacksonville Transportation Authority Nassau County Health Department National Park Service - Timucuan Ecological & Historical Preserve NE FL Sea Grant Extension Program NE Florida Regional Planning Council Orange County Environmental Protection Dept Putnam County Health Department St. Johns County Health Department St. Johns County Recreation and Parks St. Johns River Water Management District St. Johns River Water Management District State of Florida, Department of Environmental Protection
State of Florida, Dept. of Environmental Protection - BioLab
State of Florida, Dept. of Envir. Protection - Education State of Florida, Dept. of Health - Environmental Health Division Talbot Islands State Park/Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve U. S. Army Corps of Engineers U. S. Department of Energy U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service U. S. Geological Survey
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Advanced Environmental Laboratories Inc. Aerotek Aetna, Inc. Ambient Air Services Inc. Amelia Island Plantation Anderson & Howell, PA Baptist Health System BCI Engineers and Scientists, Inc. Bergmann Associates Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida Blue Water Environmental of Florida, Inc. BMT Designers & Planners, Inc. Campaign for Environmental Literacy Capital Environmental Waste Services, Inc. CEI Engineering Associates, Inc. Commercial Carrier Corporation CSX Transportation
Industry
Earth Balance
18
Econowaste, Inc. ENCO Enterprise Florida Environmental Capital Holdings Environmental Recovery Group Environmental Remediation Services Environmental Resources Management FMC Corporation Gannett Fleming, Inc. Gate Petroleum Company Gresham, Smith and Partners Handex Group, Inc. Heilman Data Solutions, Inc. HEPACO, Inc. Hydro - Terra Environmental Iluka Resources, Inc. Independent Waste Oil, Inc. Industrial Water Services, Inc. Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences/UF Duval Co. Extension Service JEA JEA Johns Manville Johnson Matthey-Zircon Jones, Edmunds & Associates, Inc. Jones, J.A.. Environmental Services Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. LAN Associates Landstar Lang Environmental, Inc.
LFR Levine-Fricke
Mactec Engineering and Consulting Moran Environmental Recovery North American Industrial Services, Inc Page Environmental Corporation, Inc. Pappas, Metcalf, Jenks & Miller, P.A. PBS&J Petroferm Petroleum Management, Inc. QORE Property Sciences Rayonier Regenesis Robert C. Broward, Architect Rogers Towers, PA Safety and Ecology Corporation Sawyer Gas/TECO Propane SCS Engineers Severn Trent Shands Jacksonville Medical Center Southland Waste Systems St. Luke's Hospital St. Vincent's Health System Stone, Joca & Mahoney SWS Environmental First Response Transamerican Drilling and Testing TTV Architects, Inc. UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Services United States Gypsum Co. Water Laboratories, Inc. Weitz & Luxenberg
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.
19
Zassi Medical Evolutions
Mayo Clinic
Kings Bay - Trident Submarines Naval Air Station Jacksonville Naval Station Mayport
Military
USMC - Blount Island
American Lung Association of Florida Caribbean Conservation Corp. & Sea Turtle Survival League Citizens for a Scenic Florida, Inc. Citizens for Tree Preservation Defenders of Wildlife Duval Audubon Society Florida Coalition for Peace and Justice Florida League of Conservation Voters Florida Wildlife Federation Georgia Forest Watch Green Team Project Greenscape of Jacksonville H.A.W.K.E. Wildlife Rehabilitation Jacksonville Community Council, Inc. Jacksonville Humane Society Jacksonville Marine Institute Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Keep Clay County Beautiful National Audubon Society National Estuarine Research Reserve NE Florida Environmental Coalition
Non-Profit
Pelotes Island Nature Preserve
River Navigator Sierra Club St. Johns Riverkeeper The Nature Conservancy Tree Hill Nature Center Trust for Public Land - Jacksonville Preservation Project
Urban Land Institute
Association Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce/IDA
20
Appendix C
Knowledge Area Preferences
By Degree Level
Question 9 Comments
21
Associates Degree Knowledge Area Preferences
All Responses
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Energy
Health
Risk
Ass
mt
Env La
w
Limno
/Oce
anog
raphy
Aquac
ulture
Commun
ity H
ealth
Env C
hemist
ry
Eco Tou
rism
Remed
iation
Solid W
aste
Air Qua
lity
Forestr
y
Env H
ealth
& S
afety
Env P
lannin
g
Nat Res
Mgm
t
Eco M
gmt
Env B
iolog
y
Haz M
at
Geosc
ience
Wate
r Qua
lity
Env E
ngine
ering
Field S
ampli
ng/M
onito
ring
Num
ber R
espo
nses
Consulting Company Responses
02
46
810
1214
1618
20
Energy
Env La
w
Commun
ity H
ealth
Eco Tou
rism
Health
Risk
Ass
mt
Air Qua
lity
Env C
hemist
ry
Solid W
aste
Env H
ealth
& S
afety
Aquac
ulture
Env P
lannin
g
Haz M
at
Limno
/Oce
anog
raphy
Nat Res
Mgm
t
Eco M
gmt
Env E
ngine
ering
Forestr
y
Remed
iation
Wate
r Qua
lity
Env B
iolog
y
Geosc
ience
Field S
ampli
ng/M
onito
ring
Num
ber R
espo
nses
22
Associates Degree Knowledge Area Preferences (continued)
Government (Non-Military) Responses
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Aquac
ulture
Energy
Env C
hemist
ry
Health
Risk
Assmt
Limno
/Oce
anog
raphy
Remed
iation
Env La
w
Env P
lannin
g
Air Qua
lity
Commun
ity H
ealth
Forestr
y
Solid W
aste
Eco M
gmt
Env B
iolog
y
Env H
ealth
& S
afety
Geosc
ience
Haz M
at
Wate
r Qua
lity
Eco Tou
rism
Env E
ngine
ering
Nat Res
Mgm
t
Field S
ampli
ng/M
onito
ring
Num
ber R
espo
nses
Industry Responses
0
1
1
2
2
3
Aquac
ulture
Commun
ity H
ealth
Eco Tou
rismEne
rgy
Env La
w
Env P
lannin
g
Forestr
y
Health
Risk
Assmt
Limno
/Oce
anog
raphy
Nat Res
Mgm
t
Remed
iation
Solid W
aste
Air Qua
lity
Eco M
gmt
Env B
iolog
y
Env C
hemist
ry
Env H
ealth
& S
afety
Geosc
ience
Wate
r Qua
lity
Env E
ngine
ering
Field S
ampli
ng/M
onito
ring
Haz M
at
Num
ber R
espo
nses
23
Bachelors Degree Knowledge Area Preferences
All Responses
05
101520253035404550
Energy
Commun
ity H
ealth
Aquac
ulture
Limno
/Oce
anog
raphy
Solid W
aste
Forestr
y
Health
Risk
Assmt
Eco Tou
rism
Air Qua
lity
Remed
iation
Env C
hemist
ry
Env H
ealth
& S
afety
Env La
w
Haz M
at
Nat Res
Mgm
t
Env P
lannin
g
Eco M
gmt
Field S
ampli
ng/M
onito
ring
Geosc
ience
Wate
r Qua
lity
Env B
iolog
y
Env E
ngine
ering
Num
ber R
espo
nses
Consulting Company Responses
0
5
10
15
20
25
Commun
ity H
ealth
Energy
Eco Tou
rism
Env La
w
Aquac
ulture
Air Qua
lity
Solid W
aste
Forestr
y
Limno
/Oce
anog
raphy
Env C
hemist
ry
Health
Risk
Ass
mt
Env P
lannin
g
Env H
ealth
& S
afety
Nat Res
Mgm
t
Eco M
gmt
Env B
iolog
y
Haz M
at
Wate
r Qua
lity
Remed
iation
Geosc
ience
Field S
ampli
ng/M
onito
ring
Env E
ngine
ering
Num
ber R
espo
nses
24
Bachelors Degree Knowledge Area Preferences (continued)
Government (Non-Military) Responses
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Energy
Health
Risk
Assmt
Remed
iation
Solid W
aste
Aquac
ulture
Limno
/Oce
anog
raphy
Commun
ity H
ealth
Env H
ealth
& S
afety
Forestr
y
Haz M
at
Air Qua
lity
Env C
hemist
ry
Eco Tou
rism
Field S
ampli
ng/M
onito
ring
Geosc
ience
Eco M
gmt
Env E
ngine
ering
Nat Res
Mgm
t
Wate
r Qua
lity
Env P
lannin
g
Env B
iolog
y
Env La
w
Num
ber R
espo
nses
Industry Responses
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Forestr
y
Limno
/Oce
anog
raphy
Remed
iation
Air Qua
lity
Aquac
ulture
Energy
Solid W
aste
Commun
ity H
ealth
Eco Tou
rism
Health
Risk
Assmt
Wate
r Qua
lity
Eco M
gmt
Env B
iolog
y
Env La
w
Env P
lannin
g
Field S
ampli
ng/M
onito
ring
Haz M
at
Nat Res
Mgm
t
Geosc
ience
Env C
hemist
ry
Env H
ealth
& S
afety
Env E
ngine
ering
Num
ber R
espo
nses
25
Masters Degree Knowledge Area Preferences
All Responses
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Energy
Solid W
aste
Commun
ity H
ealth
Air Qua
lity
Eco Tou
rism
Health
Risk
Ass
mt
Aquac
ulture
Env C
hemist
ry
Field S
ampli
ng/M
onito
ring
Haz M
at
Env H
ealth
& S
afety
Forestr
y
Env La
w
Limno
/Oce
anog
raphy
Geosc
ience
Remed
iation
Wate
r Qua
lity
Env P
lannin
g
Nat Res
Mgm
t
Env E
ngine
ering
Eco M
gmt
Env B
iolog
y
Num
ber R
espo
nses
Consulting Company Responses
02468
101214161820
Commun
ity H
ealth
Energy
Eco Tou
rism
Env La
w
Solid W
aste
Air Qua
lity
Field S
ampli
ng/M
onito
ring
Health
Risk
Ass
mt
Aquac
ulture
Env H
ealth
& S
afety
Forestr
y
Limno
/Oce
anog
raphy
Env C
hemist
ry
Env P
lannin
g
Haz M
at
Geosc
ience
Nat Res
Mgm
t
Wate
r Qua
lity
Env B
iolog
y
Remed
iation
Eco M
gmt
Env E
ngine
ering
Num
ber R
espo
nses
26
Masters Degree Knowledge Area Preferences (continued)
Government (Non-Military) Responses
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Energy
Solid W
aste
Commun
ity H
ealth
Health
Risk
Ass
mt
Air Qua
lity
Env C
hemist
ry
Env H
ealth
& S
afety
Geosc
ience
Haz M
at
Remed
iation
Env E
ngine
ering
Aquac
ulture
Eco Tou
rism
Forestr
y
Wate
r Qua
lity
Field S
ampli
ng/M
onito
ring
Limno
/Oce
anog
raphy
Env La
w
Env P
lannin
g
Nat Res
Mgm
t
Eco M
gmt
Env B
iolog
y
Num
ber R
espo
nses
Industry Responses
0
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
Eco Tou
rism
Forestr
y
Haz M
at
Solid W
aste
Wate
r Qua
lity
Air Qua
lity
Aquac
ulture
Eco M
gmt
Energy
Env La
w
Field S
ampli
ng/M
onito
ring
Health
Risk
Ass
mt
Limno
/Oce
anog
raphy
Remed
iation
Commun
ity H
ealth
Env B
iolog
y
Env C
hemist
ry
Env P
lannin
g
Geosc
ience
Nat Res
Mgm
t
Env E
ngine
ering
Env H
ealth
& S
afety
Num
ber R
espo
nses
27
Comments on knowledge area question (#9) Top positions in Air Quality Mgt and Hazardous Waste Mgt require education and experience in the program. General skills below are more important than degree level Majority of environmental specialty services is outsourced to consultants. ILUKA's operations will be moving to northern areas as they are resource driven and local mineral resources are being depleted. Customer Service -Above Does Not Apply There are no degree programs that service the needs of my industry. The categories do not fit our mission. We employ planners and researchers, primarily public policy and human services fields. We have programs in research: (focusing on estuarine ecology and water quality monitoring/ecological health and change) Education: (professional, elected officials, general adult, all-age students), and Stewardship: (resource management, land acquisition, prescribed fire, resource based recreation, public use management). Always need people who can take care of the land. Need people who can couple policy with land management. Planning and understanding land management is also important. Unfortunately, the state won't let us do energy efficiency currently, but hopefully in the future with more pressure we will be energy efficient. Geographic Information Systems in the Environmental Sciences! Would hire at any of these levels, depending on the current needs at the time. Our firm is comprised of biologists with MS degrees specializing in either marine science, wildlife/botany, fisheries, or forestry. We find that BS degrees do not provide graduates with the level of technical writing skills which is required in our profession. Graduates with general degrees in "environmental science" are also not well prepared or specialized for expertise Our basic core group of employees have B.S. in chemistry, Biology and microbiology. We also employee 2 individuals with M.S. in chemistry and 2 in engineering In the next 5 years, there may be one position available--ideally the candidate will have some knowledge of many of the areas selected. BS required for hire, MS within 5 years of hire. Job descriptions have varying educational and practical knowledge requirements. Example: Environmental Specialist positions do require BS or higher. As a govt agency our starting positions currently require a masters degree (no experience) or a bachelors and 2 yrs experience Looking for 2-3 people on different levels in Environmental Health and Safety currently. B.S. degrees preferred. In-house 'experts' may need MS or PhD. Currently, UNF does not provide strong candidates. I currently need candidates from UF or other similar schools with established environmental programs. " “Environmental Science" majors typically are poorly qualified. We do not hire, we recruit for employers. Although not a requirement, a PhD in toxicology is needed to be an envr. contam. specialist. Other biologist/ecologist positions are OK with a MS Our "entry level" positions are open to those with just a Bachelors degree, but we require two years of experience. Most of our current positions are broad based that require a range of environmental management education and experience.
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We are an Architecture firm. We hire the above as Consultants but not in-house our primary target degree is Chemistry. what is environmental chemistry, and how does it differ from a traditional BS chemistry program? We are a federally mandated independent transportation planning and prioritizing agency serving four NE Florida counties based on population. The skills mentioned in question ten do not apply to our staff; however, some of these skills could be required by consultants working on various projects for us. Selections are based on what to expect for local (Florida) market. For candidates looking outside of Florida, selection would be larger. Positions will be far and few. Most will be temp positions for specific projects. Training in botany, soils, wetland delineation and State/Federal regulations governing wetlands and wildlife would be most desirable for employment in ecological management/Consulting. Writing skills are a must. Many firms will hire non-degreed, or AS degreed persons for certain staff level positions. DEA does not. However, we feel there is value to an AS degree. We do not require employees to have degrees in the above fields
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Appendix D
General Comments
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Please share any thoughts you might have that might help us develop an environmental programs that would help fit your needs (#14).
Hands on experience and/or time spent as an intern in the environmental lab field is a major plus. A good understanding in basic quality control for labs would have a significant impact on new hires. My BU shares resources throughout Johnson Matthey globally. At this time our EHS manager works out of another JM BU in PA. As we expand this Business Unit in JAX we will look to hire our own on-site EHS officer or at minimum contract a local firm to handle our EHS program locally. My program is educational/outreach. Well-rounded skill sets in park operations, administration, natural resource management, visitor services and safety, and regulation are preferred. An academic background matched with a strong practical knowledge base is of high regard. Our staff strives to provide the impetus of stewardship to our visiting public. In addition to an undergraduate degree program in Environmental Education, I, personally, would like to see a graduate degree program developed and offered by UNF. Currently, University of FL, Gainesville, has one of the only Environmental Education Masters and PhD Programs available in the region. In order to advance my career, I need an advanced degree and would very much like to pursue one in Environmental Education. Part of that program should include evaluation training as this is an emphasized area in today's grant climate for not-for-profit industries. Our department deals with public health issues from an environmental (or point source) perspective. As a Regulatory agency we are required to enforce laws and educate the public. The job requires communication and technical skills that must respond to the latest public health threat from anthrax to west Nile virus (and everything in between). A course that should prove to be of benefit to your students would include risk assessment response -dealing with the media and public concerning potential, imagined, or real public health threats. If you need assistance with teaching (on a part-time basis), we have highly qualified individuals including registered engineers and geologists who may be interested. Make sure you have interaction with community to give students the education the real world desires. Emphasize writing skills. Coordinate classes with engineering school where possible. UNF must offer strong botanical, zoological and soil science curriculum. Survey sampling and statistics are also preferred. Right now, I have to spend 1-2 years training new people in basic field skills that they should have learned in school. There is a need for pragmatic problem solvers who can pay attention to details, keeping the big picture in mind when making decisions. Our section of the firm specializes in project management support for environmental restoration projects. Project management in combination with environmental training is ideal for our work. If you can establish a work-study program, it would be very beneficial for students to have some real work experience under their belt. Naval Air Depot Jacksonville would be interested in supporting a work-study program at our facility for students studying environmental management and associated areas. Forestry, resource/land management and environmental sustainability are important along with the basic biological areas of ecology, botany, wildlife, and wetlands. Noise pollution, Haz Waste, Water Quality, and Air Toxics seem to be areas of greater concern for the future. What do you consider to be an "environmentally-skilled" employee? We have a specific interest in the environmental areas of animal control with in the community.
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Our broad-based research does touch on environmental issues through our study process and quality of life indicators. It would be a plus to have a planner or research person with greater knowledge in the environmental area. We have opportunities for Graduate Research Fellowships within the GTMNERR. Social sciences are encouraged as well. Research and writing for interpretive displays on cultural, archeological, and ecological resources is needed. Interdisciplinary programs that still help you focus in one area help to give you a wide range of skills and understanding while still giving you expertise in one area are helpful. Also, 5-year programs that combine a BS and a masters would be really helpful to students even though the 5-year programs are normally a professional masters rather than a thesis masters. (Somehow make this a thesis based masters.) You get a great bargain for your money and you are prepared for your job and can start out at higher salary. GIS is desperately needed in this area. We prefer new hires to have knowledge of remediation systems, environmental issues relating to real estate transactions (i.e. Phase I's and Phase IIs, mold, LBP, ACM, radon), FDEP soil and groundwater sampling techniques and regulations. Report writing skills are tantamount to our work as we deal with many lawyers and large real estate corporations. We don't work in NE Florida but would hire those interested in working in Orlando area with degrees in science, engineering or related environmental degrees. Typically, we hire at the BS level and higher. Prospective Employee needs basic biology, ecology, natural science knowledge, or familiarity with the various parts and habitats in Florida (outside experience) and a willingness to work in outside field conditions. they must have fluent communication skills written and oral; a basic knowledge of computer (word processing) and organizational skills. The rest -we are willing to train. NOTE: also needs a valid FL Driver's License. The environmental industry is ever changing and an employee that is flexible and "crossed-trained" in two or three areas has the best chance of long-term employment. see response box above. For general BS level degrees in natural science fields, teach technical writing skills. For MS level degrees, don’t offer degrees without thesis as we have found these graduates are not much better off than someone with a BS degree that can write and is motivated. If offering MS in natural sciences then limit time they can complete degree and provide adequate research assistantships to support 70% of grad students. I don't understand the distinction between environmentally skilled chemist and chemist. In our consultancy, we are generally looking for engineers with an environmental background, or we are looking for well-trained biologists with practical experience with wetlands, threatened & endangered species, etc. I would be interested in co-op students from UNF if/when you have a program in-place Well thought out survey, if I had more time at the moment, I'd provide more insight. Will likely endeavor to contact you in the near future to discuss in more detail. We are a renewable energy company that develops projects. Our staff has 30 years or more experience and we work from that. While the focus is good to have "professionals", it is very important to have a skilled labor force to execute the demands of the job according to the laws, rules and regulations (legal) requirements. For our regional offices, prefer environmental engineers with exposure to the traditional civil engineering curriculum or civil students with some environmental backgrounds. Regional offices tend to stick with projects longer, conception through construction and operation. So exposure to the full range of the project, process and civil, is desirable. Definitely also offer environmental management (EMS, ISO 14000, etc.) courses as well as make sure every graduate has at least some science and process (product engineering) background. Our positions are at the pleasure of Congress. We have many projects in the works but we get the funding slowly.
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Applicants need more practical field skills in botany, ecological sampling, soil science, wildlife id, etc. Statistical analysis would be nice also. An environmental technician degree would be nice. Also, we find new applicants to have a false idea of the career income in the environmental field. Many are asking for unreal starting salaries and benefits. Business and scientific ethics is also a concern. Students should graduate with a well-rounded, balanced knowledge of both environmental issues and private property rights. It seems that more graduates are coming to us with a pronounced liberal bend. Focus on developing students' fundamental knowledge and skills. Teach them about practical world and how fundamentals are applied to assess and solve real problems. Environmental Law (learn the state and federal regulations for wetlands/Wildlife);wetland delineation;botany;hydric soils Unless the degree is in engineering, and the student intends on focusing on design related tasks, today's graduate in our field lacks basic "real life" understandings of the work environment. They are typically eager but must receive extensive (re)training. In the consulting field, wearing many hats, being able to write and communicate effectively, and being detail oriented is key. Environmental education is our main focus. Would like to have certified professionals in this field. Have 'risk' and 'safety' related employees. We rely heavily on consultants for specific environmentally related functions. Communication with professional organizations to confirm current/future industry efforts, to target desired skills and background knowledge. Native plant identification and use in landscaping.