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19-2041.03 · Task explorer

Industrial Ecologists: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Apply principles and processes of natural ecosystems to develop models for efficient industrial systems. Use knowledge from the physical and social sciences to maximize effective use of natural resources in the production and use of goods and services. Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.

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This source lists 38 tasks, including 30 marked Core and 8 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2021.

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38 tasks shown

Core · Task 19972 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Identify environmental impacts caused by products, systems, or projects.

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Core · Task 16888 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Identify or develop strategies or methods to minimize the environmental impact of industrial production processes.

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Core · Task 19965 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Analyze changes designed to improve the environmental performance of complex systems and avoid unintended negative consequences.

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Core · Task 19968 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Conduct environmental sustainability assessments, using material flow analysis (MFA) or substance flow analysis (SFA) techniques.

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Core · Task 19974 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Identify sustainable alternatives to industrial or waste-management practices.

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Core · Task 19982 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Review research literature to maintain knowledge on topics related to industrial ecology, such as physical science, technology, economy, and public policy.

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Core · Task 19980 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Redesign linear, or open-loop, systems into cyclical, or closed-loop, systems so that waste products become inputs for new processes, modeling natural ecosystems.

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Core · Task 19978 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Prepare technical and research reports, such as environmental impact reports, and communicate the results to individuals in industry, government, or the general public.

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Core · Task 19970 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Examine local, regional, or global use and flow of materials or energy in industrial production processes.

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Core · Task 16886 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Monitor the environmental impact of development activities, pollution, or land degradation.

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Core · Task 16894 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Build and maintain databases of information about energy alternatives, pollutants, natural environments, industrial processes, and other information related to ecological change.

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Core · Task 19975 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Perform analyses to determine how human behavior can affect, and be affected by, changes in the environment.

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Core · Task 19963 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Recommend methods to protect the environment or minimize environmental damage from industrial production practices.

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Core · Task 19983 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Translate the theories of industrial ecology into eco-industrial practices.

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Core · Task 19964 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Develop alternative energy investment scenarios to compare economic and environmental costs and benefits.

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Core · Task 16893 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Carry out environmental assessments in accordance with applicable standards, regulations, or laws.

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Core · Task 19971 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Examine societal issues and their relationship with both technical systems and the environment.

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Core · Task 16885 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Plan or conduct field research on topics such as industrial production, industrial ecology, population ecology, and environmental production or sustainability.

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Core · Task 16891 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Create complex and dynamic mathematical models of population, community, or ecological systems.

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Core · Task 19969 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Evaluate the effectiveness of industrial ecology programs, using statistical analysis and applications.

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Core · Task 16895 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Forecast future status or condition of ecosystems, based on changing industrial practices or environmental conditions.

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Core · Task 16881 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Review industrial practices, such as the methods and materials used in construction or production, to identify potential liabilities and environmental hazards.

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Core · Task 19966 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Apply new or existing research about natural ecosystems to understand economic and industrial systems in the context of the environment.

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Core · Task 19977 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Prepare plans to manage renewable resources.

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Core · Task 19973 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Identify or compare the component parts or relationships between the parts of industrial, social, and natural systems.

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Core · Task 16884 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Plan or conduct studies of the ecological implications of historic or projected changes in industrial processes or development.

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Core · Task 16882 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Research sources of pollution to determine environmental impact or to develop methods of pollution abatement or control.

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Core · Task 19976 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Perform environmentally extended input-output (EE I-O) analyses.

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Core · Task 19979 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Promote use of environmental management systems (EMS) to reduce waste or to improve environmentally sound use of natural resources.

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Core · Task 16889 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Investigate the impact of changed land management or land use practices on ecosystems.

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Supplemental · Task 16890 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Develop or test protocols to monitor ecosystem components and ecological processes.

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Supplemental · Task 19981 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Research environmental effects of land and water use to determine methods of improving environmental conditions or increasing outputs, such as crop yields.

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Supplemental · Task 16883 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Provide industrial managers with technical materials on environmental issues, regulatory guidelines, or compliance actions.

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Supplemental · Task 16896 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Conduct applied research on the effects of industrial processes on the protection, restoration, inventory, monitoring, or reintroduction of species to the natural environment.

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Supplemental · Task 16892 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Conduct scientific protection, mitigation, or restoration projects to prevent resource damage, maintain the integrity of critical habitats, and minimize the impact of human activities.

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Supplemental · Task 16879 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Investigate accidents affecting the environment to assess ecological impact.

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Supplemental · Task 19967 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Conduct analyses to determine the maximum amount of work that can be accomplished for a given amount of energy in a system, such as industrial production systems and waste treatment systems.

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Supplemental · Task 16880 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Investigate the adaptability of various animal and plant species to changed environmental conditions.

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

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