Also called: Dam Engineer, Hydraulic Structures Engineer
Inspects and upgrades dams and levees so they never fail during floods.
You hike along the crest of a 100-year-old earthen dam looking for seepage, cracks and animal burrows. Back at the office you model what would happen in a once-in-10,000-years storm and design a bigger spillway.
Many work for government agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 5 years after high school. Bachelor's or master's in civil engineering with hydraulics or geotechnical focus; PE license.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Civil Engineering.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years). Aging U.S. dams need major repairs.
Low risk for 10 years. Drones and sensors make inspection faster; walking dams, judging risk and signing off on public safety stay human.
Classes: Physics, Earth science, Algebra II, Environmental science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2051.
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