Lance Eckhart & His Career |
The Actual Work |
Job Information & Advice |
Education Information & Advice |
Industry Trends |
Closing Remarks
LANCE ECKHART & HIS CAREER
Tell us about your career. Where did it begin? How and why you became involved in environmental consulting?
As a child my parents took the family camping quite a bit and I spent many years in Boy Scouts, etc. At that time, my parents instilled in me a sense of nature and its value. Although I had a deep appreciation of nature, this did not wholly guide me towards my career in school. I originally got into geology due to a love of science and the sheer magnitude and history of the concepts involved. It was only in my in my undergraduate career that I started to gravitate toward the environmental field which was primarily due to my interest in hydrogeology (groundwater).
As my interest and knowledge concerning groundwater grew, I became more aware of causes of groundwater pollution which led into air pollution and soil pollution and eventually the entire environmental field (pollution, endangered species, green space, protected waters, etc.) which constantly crisscross. If you have any passion for your career in this field, you will become an environmentalist to some degree - although the definition of environmentalist can be radically different depending on who defines it (i.e. non-profit organizations, government agencies, etc.).
Your specialty within your field is geology? How did you choose it? How did you discover you had a talent for geology?
I got into geology during a stint in a local community college. I was always interested in, and excelled at science but the idea of spending a few decades in a laboratory looking at Petri dishes scared the hell out of me. Geology seemed like the obvious choice if only for the simple fact that "You have to go where the rocks are" and thus, I was pretty sure that I would be able to get out of the office occasionally. Also, the basic concepts of geology begin on a global scale and the history of the site you are investigating, no matter how small, owes a part of itself to some fascinating, gargantuan, geologic event.
Who or what were the biggest inspirations for your career?
I would have to say that the biggest inspirations concerning environmentalism in my career were the Clean Water Act and the events leading up to its origin. The Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Air Act, etc. were extremely bold bills that actually placed hard numbers and standards concerning environmental resources that no state could overturn. The passing of these acts meant that in the late 1960's and early 1970's, the American people had had enough of large business and special interest determining how safe is safe. The acts were a contract between the American people and industry to conduct business, create jobs, sustain the economy and still maintain natural resources that will remain safe and still retain their original value.
What do you enjoy most and least about your job and your career?
Most: Working with agencies and clients to come up with reasonable solutions to environmental problems. For many situations, a client may have inadvertently contaminated soil or groundwater either through poor management practices or faulty equipment such as a leaky underground storage tank. In almost all cases, contamination is inadvertent and generally the client believed that proper environmental measures were practiced or did not fully understand the long reaching impacts of their activities. A lot of contamination problems stem from poor advice on the front end by managers, contractors, etc. "telling them what they want to hear" which can lead to me "telling them what they don't want to hear" years and decades later, after damage has been done. In many instances, landowners and businesses have spent a sizable amount of money and time making a "good faith effort" to properly manage land and business activities and yet still end up with environmental problems. What is most rewarding to me is to take an environmental problem and come up with a reasonable solution that satisfies both governing agencies and has the least amount of impact, financially and physically, to the client and their business activities.
Least: Working on cases where environmental impacts can be substantial but are not pursued by the client or governing agencies.
THE ACTUAL WORK
Tell us about what you do. What is your position and what are the responsibilities? How much time do you spend in the office and in the field?
As an environmental geologist, I find myself acting as a detective and mediator. A detective, because I constantly have to collect and interpret data which leads me to discover where the contamination came from, how much is there, where it is currently going, where it can possibly go, how fast, and what are its potential impacts? A mediator, because once I have deduced the questions above, I have to present this data to the client and usually a regulatory agency. If the contamination is either over concentrations of regulatory concern or a potential health risk, I have to negotiate a remediation option that is both viable and cost effective. Commonly, the contamination is in a resource which is of low quality, such as regionally non-potable water. If the resource has no foreseeable use and the movement of the contamination is fully understood, it may be negotiated that the contamination can be left in-place, degrade naturally, or both.
My responsibilities as an Environmental Geologist include drilling to determine subsurface conditions and extent of contamination; Groundwater monitoring well/vapor well installation; Groundwater model production; Soil, water and soil gas sampling; landfill cap design and construction; Interpretation of all collected and historical data; Health and safety issues; Detailed technical reports concerning all of the above.
I spend about 1 to 2 days a week or less in the field, depending on the project.
Tell us about where you work. How many people work in your office? What's the atmosphere? Is there a lot of pressure?
I have had several jobs in the environmental industry over the last 4 years. I have moved around to either gain more diversified experience or, as my education progressed, I outgrew the job. I left a company of approximately 40 environmental professionals, plus support staff, last year (beginning of 1999) and moved to a much smaller company of 5 individuals, plus support staff, in order to work on different types of projects. Because I work with such a small group of people, you tend to manage a project from the proposal stage to completion of the project. There is some degree of pressure working for a company of this size in that there is little room for error and a mistake or mismanaged project on your part can affect the whole company.
What are some of the most interesting things you have encountered in the field?
Because I am a geologist, I love drilling at depth or in areas where I can see a lot of depositional changes and/or fossils, such as near the ocean. Also, the bigger the heavy equipment, the better.
One thing that I have found very interesting over the years is that everything is negotiable. Although there are very strict federal and state environmental guidelines, there is a lot of flexibility within those guidelines. That flexibility is where good consultants can make intelligent and logical decisions that result in realistic and cost effective goals for the client and the agencies.
How important are computers to your work as a geologist? Do you use any specialized programs for modeling?
Very important. For all of our days in the field, heavy equipment rental, sample collection, laboratory analyses, etcetera; the client ultimately receives a bound stack of paper ranging from ¼-inch to several inches thick. That stack of paper is the culmination of thousands of dollars worth of technical work. It is important that all of the text, tables, figures and so on, look professional. Without computers, we absolutely could not perform our jobs as efficiently or as effectively. It is paramount that consultants today have a good working knowledge of standard word processing, spreadsheet and drafting software.
There are many specialized programs that can assist geologist in interpreting and presenting data:
- CAD (computer assisted design): General drafting (i.e. maps, plot plans)
- Bore Log Programs: Present the results of drilling and well construction activities.
- Contouring Programs: Assists in determining groundwater contours.
- Water Quality Programs: Assists in the interpretation of water quality parameters.
- Groundwater Models: Assists in determining groundwater characteristics, flow rates, particle tracking, etc.
There are many specialty programs that assist in the interpretation and presentation of data. Many of the programs are only viable on particular projects where costs allow for software expenses and training. Unless a company foresees continued use of a program, they will choose not to incur the expense and opt to have the work done by hand and have it digitized for presentation.
What professional certifications are available for your line of work and how important are they to the profession?
The State of California has a registration process (as do most states) where a geologist will have to work professionally for approximately 5 years to be eligible to be certified as a state licensed geologist. Once a geologist has accrued a degree and five years experience, they are eligible to take a rigorous state examination (kind of like lawyers passing the bar exam for geologists). Once a geologist has passed the test, they are issued a license as a registered geologist. A regulatory agency requires that environmental reports must be signed by either a licensed engineer or geologist. When an individual in the company writes a report, it is reviewed and subsequently signed, by a registered geologist. The registered geologist reviews the document to ensure that the data in the report is correct and has been interpreted accurately. The registered geologist also assumes responsibility if the data is misrepresented and may be held liable if the work is negligent.
JOB INFORMATION & ADVICE
What kinds of jobs are available for geologists?
- Environmental: Groundwater, soil and air contamination and resource protection
- Geotechnical: Slope stability, compaction, engineering, structural.
- Petroleum: Oil/gas exploration.
- Teaching
- Research
What's the pay scale for a geologist just starting a career? How about for those at the senior level?
Just out of school: High 20's to low 30's. This is the introductory period where an employer will test your mettle. After a year or two, the base pay can go up 20% to 60%, depending on how effective you are, plus perks. Additional degrees, such as a Master's or certifications can also help. At senior level (8 years plus) an individual should expect high 60's, plus perks. Additional degrees, licenses (registered geologist), continued education, talent and drive can greatly influence income. Senior level professionals are commonly in bonus or profit sharing programs which can substantially increase income and are many times offered partial ownership.
What are the best ways to find a job in environmental consulting?
Simply ….contacts. Every job I have had in the environmental field has come from relationships that I have developed over the years in the industry. My only advice is the following: when you are looking for a job, contact every, I mean every, person that you know that is associated with the industry and ask if they know anybody that is looking for a great (never be too modest) employee. Everybody, everybody, everybody has to look for a job sometime and pride can potentially cost you a great job. Worst case scenario, you call an old acquaintance who may not be able to help you now, but you reacquaint yourself with an individual who may be able to help you in the future.
How is the job market right now? How do you think it will be in the next five years? 10 years?
Right now the job market is extremely good concerning talented individuals. There are a lot of older sites needing investigations and cleanup and should be around for the next few years. Tighter environmental controls are limiting new sites but individuals who keep up on current technologies and environmental trends should be all right.
What are some common myths about working for an environmental consultant?
Don't think that you are going to save the world. If you go into the environmental field thinking that you are going to restore resources to their original state, you will be disappointed. Once a resource has experienced the effects of man, it will most likely be a long time until all traces human activities disappear. As stated above, mediation is a large part of environmental consulting. The best service you can do for the environment is make a difference through competent work, practicing good science and making realistic, logical decisions that benefit the client as well as the environment.
EDUCATION INFORMATION & ADVICE
What is your degree in? What did you like and dislike about your education?
I hold a BS in Geology and am currently finishing up a MS degree in Environmental Studies. My only criticism concerning my education is that I wish it had been less theoretical and more practical. Although I feel that I have a strong foundation in geological concepts, my undergraduate left me with a very steep learning curve when I started my career.
Did your education prepare you for what you actually do now? If not, could you have done anything differently?
My education laid a strong foundation in geology to build my career on. Did my degree prepare me for work…. kind of. I understood the concepts but I needed some time to actually apply them. School and work are very different animals. The first year or so you have to constantly review your textbooks, review notes and can't be afraid to ask all of the "stupid" questions. I don't think school can really prepare you for budgets, difficult regulators, dealing with subcontractors, et cetera. Be prepared for a rocky road during your first year after school.
What factors did you consider when choosing a program?
Commute and cost. I had to work my way through school, so I needed to enroll in a program that was local and one I could afford.
What advice can you give to prospective students thinking about an education and career in environmental consulting or geology?
Take every opportunity to get internships (several if possible) in non-academic environments if you are planning to go into the private or public sector. Non-academic work will give you vast amounts of real world experience and invaluable contacts. Internships and theses in areas you plan to work are where you will gain the most preparation to join the workforce.
Does it make a difference in the industry to graduate from a prestigious school?
In my experience, no. A prestigious school may get you into a slightly better job right out of school (and into a lot of debt), but after a couple of years, I feel that you are measured on what you can do rather than where you went to school.
INDUSTRY TRENDS
What are some trends that you see in the field that might help prospective students?
Diversify, the industry changes quickly and having a broad range of experience can help you change with it. It is also important to join national and local professional organizations dealing with the environmental industry. The national organizations will brief you on trends and new technologies in the industry and the local organizations will help you develop invaluable contacts.
CLOSING REMARKS
Is there anything else you can tell us about yourself, your career, or the profession that would be interesting or helpful to others aspiring to enter the field?
Stay interested in what you are doing. As odd as it sounds, working to stay interested in what you are doing is paramount to your success. Go to the professional meetings, join the environmental organizations, buy new textbooks that you can apply to your job, read the professional journals. By staying interested, and it is a lot of work, you will separate yourself and your career from your colleges and their jobs.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: For more information about the educational and career outlook for Geology majors, click here.
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The fields of environmental remediation, mitigation and pollution prevention are some of the fastest-growing in the professional market today. At the time of this interview, Lance Eckhart was an Environmental Geologist for 
