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 Computing, College of Education Office of Faculty College of Arts and Engineering and and Human Services Enhancement Sciences Construction

Support

Abby Howard Murphy David Wilson Erin Soles Environmental Center Center for Instruction & Research Technology 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.

2 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.

Govt

Fig. 1 Respondents by category

3 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

Now In Ten Years 25

20

15

10

5 Number of Respondants 0 <10 10-25 26-100 101-1000 >1000 Total Number of Employees

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.)

4 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 30 Now In Ten Years 25

20

15

10

5 Number of Respondants

0 <10 10-25 26-100 101-1000 >1000

Total Number of Employees

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).

5 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

Env Engineering

Env Biology Water Quality

Geoscience Field Sampling/Monitoring Ec o Mgmt

Env Planning Nat Res Mgmt

Haz Mat Env Law

Env Health & Safety Env Chemistry

Remediation Air Quality

Eco Tourism Health Risk Assmt Forestry

Solid Waste Limno/Oceanography

Aquaculture Community Health

Energy

0 1020304050 Number Responses

Fig.6. Bachelors knowledge area preferences sorted by response (See Table 2 on page 5 for complete knowledge area titles.)

6 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

Env Biology

Eco Mgmt

Env Engineering

Nat Res Mgmt

Env Planning

Water Quality

Remediation

Geoscience

Env Law

Limno/Oceanography

Env Health & Safety

Forestry

Field Sampling/Monitoring

Haz Mat

Env Chemistry

Aquaculture

Eco Tourism

Health Risk Assmt

Air Quality

Community Health

Solid Waste

Energy

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 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

7 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

General Comunication

Working Relations

Work Independently

Plan, Organize

Basic Computer

Public Interaction

Manage Projects

Time Management

Technical Writing

Train Others

Advanced Computer

Sales

Community Involve

Marketing

Statistics

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Fig. 8. General skills desired, sorted by response

8

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 Employees All Respondents

1881

Five Years From Now

1113 Now

0 500 1000 1500 2000

Fig. 9. Number of environmentally skilled employees

9

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.

10

Appendix A

Survey Instrument

11 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 † Industry † Consulting (check all that apply) † Government – non-military † Government – military † Non-Profit † Other (specify):

3. Location of office nearest Jacksonville † Duval † St. Johns † Clay (check one) † Nassau † Flagler † South Georgia † Other (specify):

4. Area your company serves † Jacksonville, FL and immediate area † Northeast Florida (check one) † Florida † Southeast U.S.A. † U.S.A. † Global 5. Total number of employees now † < 10 † 10-25 (check one) † 26-100 † 101-1000 † > 1000 † Other (specify): 6. Projected number of employees 10 † < 10 years from now † 10-25 (check one) † 26-100 † 101-1000 † > 1000 † Other (specify): 7. Number of employees within 60 miles † < 10 of Jacksonville, FL now † 10-25 (check one) † 26-100 † 101-1000 † > 1000 † Other (specify): 8. Projected number of employees within † < 10 60 miles of Jacksonville, FL 10 years from † 10-25 now † 26-100 (check one) † 101-1000 † > 1000 † Other (specify):

12 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 Bachelors – Masters – MS 2 yr technician BA/BS 6 yr post-professional 4 yr 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

13 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 (904) 620-2668 c/o Dept of Chemistry & Physics University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL 32224

Questions? Call (904) 620-2662

14

Appendix B

List of Target Organizations

; in the right column indicates response received

15 Lipsey & Associates Toxicologist ; Miller Legg ; Type Name Response OHC Environmental Engineering, Inc. Consulting Access Environmental Associates, Inc. Onsite Environmental Consulting, LLC ; Adecco Technical ; Parsons ; Aerostar Environmental Services, Inc. ; Pearce & Associates Professional Recruiters ; Applied Technology & Management, Inc. ; Professional Industrial Hygiene Services ; Ayres Associates, Inc. ; Reynolds, Smith and Hills, Inc. Black & Veatch ; SI Group ; Dial Cordy and Associates, Inc. ; Taylor Engineering Dynamic Environmental Associates, Inc. ; TBE Group E Sciences, Inc. ; Tetra Tech EC, Inc. ; Earth Systems Inc. ; The R-A-M Professional Group Earth Tech Consulting, Inc. TranSystems Corporation ; Ellis & Associates, Inc. ; URS Corp. ; EMS Scientists, Engineers, Planners ; Environmental Conservation Laboratories, Inc. ; Government Cary State Forest Environmental Consulting & Technology, Inc. ; City of Jacksonville - Air & Water Quality Environmental Resource Solutions, Inc. ; Division ; Environmental Services, Inc. ; City of Jacksonville - Animal Care and Control ; Enviro-Resources Corp. City of Jacksonville - Environmental Florida H.E.R.O. ; Protection Board ; Genesis Group ; City of Jacksonville - Environmental Resource Mgt. ; GLE Associates, Inc. City of Jacksonville - Mayor's Office Golder Associates ; City of Jacksonville - Parks and Recreation Green Power Systems ; City of Jacksonville - Preservation Project HealthLink Clay County - Dept. of Environmental Hillmann Environmental Group LLC ; Services ; LG2 Environmental Solutions, Inc. ; Clay County Health Department ; Liberty Environmental Solutions ; Duval County Health Dept. ;

16 First Coast Metropolitan Planning State of Florida, Dept. of Envir. Protection - Organization ; Education ; FL Bureau of Epidemiology State of Florida, Dept. of Health - FL Dept. of Health - Jacksonville Central Environmental Health Division Laboratory Talbot Islands State Park/Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve ; Flagler County Health Department ; U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ; U. S. Department of Energy ; Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Commission ; Region 4 Florida League of Cities U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service ; Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources ; U. S. Geological Survey Guana Tolomato Matanzas Nat. Estuarine USDA Natural Resources Conservation Research Reserve Service Jacksonville - Clean It Up, Green It Up Division Industry Advanced Environmental Laboratories Inc. ; Jacksonville Airport Authority Aerotek Jacksonville Port Authority Aetna, Inc. ; Jacksonville Transportation Authority ; Ambient Air Services Inc. Nassau County Health Department Amelia Island Plantation National Park Service - Timucuan Ecological & Historical Preserve ; Anderson & Howell, PA NE FL Sea Grant Extension Program ; Baptist Health System NE Florida Regional Planning Council ; BCI Engineers and Scientists, Inc. Orange County Environmental Protection Bergmann Associates Dept ; Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida Putnam County Health Department ; Blue Water Environmental of Florida, Inc. St. Johns County Health Department ; BMT Designers & Planners, Inc. ; St. Johns County Recreation and Parks ; Campaign for Environmental Literacy St. Johns River Water Management District ; Capital Environmental Waste Services, Inc. St. Johns River Water Management District ; State of Florida, Department of CEI Engineering Associates, Inc. Environmental Protection ; Commercial Carrier Corporation State of Florida, Dept. of Environmental CSX Transportation ; Protection - BioLab ; Earth Balance ;

17 Econowaste, Inc. Mactec Engineering and Consulting ENCO Moran Environmental Recovery ; Enterprise Florida North American Industrial Services, Inc Environmental Capital Holdings Page Environmental Corporation, Inc. Environmental Recovery Group Pappas, Metcalf, Jenks & Miller, P.A. Environmental Remediation Services PBS&J Environmental Resources Management Petroferm ; FMC Corporation Petroleum Management, Inc. Gannett Fleming, Inc. QORE Property Sciences Gate Petroleum Company ; Rayonier Gresham, Smith and Partners Regenesis Handex Group, Inc. Robert C. Broward, Architect Heilman Data Solutions, Inc. Rogers Towers, PA HEPACO, Inc. Safety and Ecology Corporation Hydro - Terra Environmental ; Sawyer Gas/TECO Propane Iluka Resources, Inc. ; SCS Engineers Independent Waste Oil, Inc. Severn Trent Industrial Water Services, Inc. ; Shands Jacksonville Medical Center Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences/UF Southland Waste Systems Duval Co. Extension Service St. Luke's Hospital JEA St. Vincent's Health System JEA Stone, Joca & Mahoney Johns Manville SWS Environmental First Response Johnson Matthey-Zircon ; Transamerican Drilling and Testing Jones, Edmunds & Associates, Inc. TTV Architects, Inc. ; Jones, J.A.. Environmental Services UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. Services LAN Associates United States Gypsum Co. Landstar Water Laboratories, Inc. Lang Environmental, Inc. Weitz & Luxenberg LFR Levine-Fricke Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.

18 Zassi Medical Evolutions River Navigator Mayo Clinic ; Sierra Club St. Johns Riverkeeper ; Military Kings Bay - Trident Submarines ; The Nature Conservancy ; Naval Air Station Jacksonville ; Tree Hill Nature Center ; Naval Station Mayport ; Trust for Public Land - Jacksonville Preservation Project USMC - Blount Island ; Urban Land Institute ;

Non-Profit American Lung Association of Florida ; Association Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Caribbean Conservation Corp. & Sea Turtle Commerce/IDA ; 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 Pelotes Island Nature Preserve

19

Appendix C

Knowledge Area Preferences By Degree Level

Question 9 Comments

20 Associates Degree Knowledge Area Preferences

All Responses

30

25

20

15

10 Number Responses 5

0 n y g mt o te y g e in gy s ity tr gmt c ity lture ati tor Law ual es M ual eering i As di anning cien n Ener k e d Was Q or Haz Mats Q Env m i r F Pl nity Health Ai Eco Mgmt ter th & Safety Env Biolo a Aquacumu Eco TourismRe Sol Env Geo Engi ng/Mon th Ris Env Chemistry eal Nat Res W al H Env He Com Env Limno/Oceanography d Sampli iel F

Consulting Company Responses

20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 Number Responses 4 2 0 g th y n w ity e ng y on ty i l stry tr nce La eal tur nni ology tor H ua a Mgmt Mgmt res uali ie Energy Q es o Q Bi c Env ty r hemi Pl Haz Mat Fo os Moni Ai C anograph Ec e e Env Eco Tourism Solid Waste AquaculEnv at R Remediati G ing/ Env N Water ommuni Env Engineering C Health Risk Assmt Env Health & Safety Limno/Oc ield Sampl F

21

Associates Degree Knowledge Area Preferences (continued)

Government (Non-Military) Responses

6

5

4

3

2 Number Responses 1

0 t y y y w g ty y a g re rg mt h li lth lity ing n ltu istr a fety ss rap iation nnin restr a urism er d v La Mgmt o e Mgmt acu Ene em og n la Waste s h E ir Qua Fo lid co v Biology & S Haz M C an me v P A nity He o E n h Aqu Risk A n u S E Geoscience Re E Water QuaEco T Env Oce Nat Reling/Monitori alth o/ mm Env Engin o v Healt mp He C n a imn E L ld S Fie

Industry Responses

3

2

2

1

Number Responses 1

0 t t y w g y ty y ty g g re rg a mt hy m ste li mt gy ce in ltu alth ism nin str tion a g istr n ality rin r Ma ur re ss rap e e o o Mg dia acu Ene F og e Qu em sci Qu ine nito ity He Env L r o r o Haz an Res Ai Eco M h & Safe Aqu un Risk A Solid Wa Env Biolo Ge Eco T Env Plan ce Rem alt g/M m lth Nat Env Ch Wate o/O Env Engplin n m Com Hea a im Env He L S ield F

22

Bachelors Degree Knowledge Area Preferences

All Responses

50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15

Number Responses 10 5 0 t t y y ty y ty w g g g rg re hy ste mt li a m mt in ce gy alth ltu str ism a tion istr Ma nin g r n ality rin rap re ss ur e e o o dia Mg Ene acu og F Qu e em nito sci Qu ine ity He r Env L Haz o o r an Ai h & Safe Res Eco M un Aqu Solid Wa Risk A Ge Env Biolo ce Eco T Rem alt Env Plan g/M m lth Env Ch Nat Wate o/O plin Env Eng n m Com Hea a im Env He L S ield F

Consulting Company Responses

25

20

15

10

Number Responses 5

0 t t m e e ry g ty ty lth rgy s aw hy in m mt ion ing ri L ur ality p istry g r rest ra ssm ou cult Qu Wast g m A Mg Ene T Fo s Quali nito ineering y Hea Env ua lid no sk & Safe Haz Matr o nit Air o a v Plann Eco M v Che Ri n lth Env Biology Geoscience Eco Aq S n Remediat mu E Nat Re Wate ing/M m /Oce E o v Hea Env Eng Co Health n E Limn

Field Sampl

23

Bachelors Degree Knowledge Area Preferences (continued)

Government (Non-Military) Responses

18 16 14 12 10 8 6

Number Responses 4 2 0 t t y ty y ty y g g g w rg mt ste re hy li in ce mt m gy a tion ltu alth str Ma a istr ism r n g rin ality nin ss rap re ur e e dia o o Mg Ene e acu og F Qu em nito sci ine Qu ity He Haz r o o r Env L an h & Safe Ai Eco M Res Risk A Solid WaAqu un Ge Env Biolo Rem ce alt Eco T g/M Env Plan lth m Env Ch Nat Wate o/O plin Env Eng n m Hea Com a im Env He L S ield F

Industry Responses

9 8 7 6 5 4 3

Number Responses 2 1 0 t t y ty y w g g y ty g hy li re rg ste mt mt gy a in m ce str tion a ltu alth ism ality g nin r Ma n istr rin re rap ur ss e e o dia o Mg F og e Qu acu Ene Qu nito sci em ine r ity He r Env L o Haz o an Ai Eco M Res h & Safe Aqu Solid Waun Risk A Env Biolo Ge ce Rem Eco T Env Plang/M alt m lth Wate Nat Env Ch o/O plin Env Eng n m Com Hea a im Env He L S ield F

24

Masters Degree Knowledge Area Preferences

All Responses

35

30

25

20

15

10 Number Responses 5

0

e th m e y at ty ry y n y rgy st l s r ing e ce io lity ing ing g a ri M st ph t a n r or re a Ene W cultu mistr o gr ee y Hea a e nit F o scien s Mgmtin it Haz Env Law o Air Quality Mo an Re Eco Mgmt Solid Risk AssmtAqu lth & Saf Ge Env Biolo Eco Tou g/ a Remedia Env Plan lth Env Chlin Oce Water Qu Nat p o/ Env Eng Commun Hea n Env He im Sam L ld ie F

Consulting Company Responses

20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 Number Responses 4 2 0 g y t n g m w e y tr e mt gy o n is tr c g ity o i La itorin ltur Ma M al iati our n u es iol eer Energy or ography lanning cien es B Env id Waste F P Haz s gin o T Air Quality an Eco Mgmtn th & Safety t R ater QuEnv Ec Sol Aquac Env Geo Remed eal Env Chemis Na W H Env E Community Health Health Risk Assmt Env Limno/Oce Field Sampling/Mo

25 Masters Degree Knowledge Area Preferences (continued)

Government (Non-Military) Responses

14

12

10

8

6

4 Number Responses 2

0 g e e m y in mt gy c is tr ity g o ering ltur itor aphy Law M ol e u our es ual anning Energy cien or Q ogr o Mgmt Bi s Haz Mat F Env Pl nity Health Air Quality o T ter Ec a ean t Res Env Solid muWaste alth & SafetyGeo Remediation AquacEc ng/Monc Env Env Chemistrye W Na Env Engin /O Com Health Risk Assmt Env H mno d SampliLi iel F

Industry Responses

4

3

3

2

2

1 Number Responses 1

0 g m y te e n th tr ity lity gy mt o gy ce as tur s eal o stry n es ual Law itorin ering W As H ne Safety or Q Ener k ography ty hemi scie & F Haz Matid Env Mon is o ter Air Qua Eco Mgmt an C a Env Biol th Eco Touris Sol Aquacul Remediati Env PlanningGe at Res Mgmt W th R Env N eal al ommuni Env Engi H He C Env Limno/Oce Field Sampling/

26 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.

27 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

28

Appendix D

General Comments

29 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.

30 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.

31 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.

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