Environmental Resource Management and Pollution Prevention

Careers in Environmental Resource Management and Pollution Prevention

Professionals in the field of environmental resource management work to ensure the sustainable use and protection of our fundamental environmental resources – such as air, water, land and food. Pollution prevention experts work on a variety of issues – ranging from air pollution and climate change to water contamination, habitat restoration, trash recycling and treatment of hazardous waste.    

Training in these fields can lead to jobs in a wide range of positions and settings, including government agencies that regulate and protect health and natural resources, as well as for nonprofits and public interest groups. They may also work for corporate employers, as more businesses are focused on operating in a sustainable manner, or for consulting firms that support such efforts.

Employment Outlook: 2020-2030

• Jobs for environmental science and protection technicians are expected to increase 12%
• Jobs for environmental engineers are projected to grow by 9%

These ten-year projections for California employment are calculated by the state Employment Development Department, which collects data about the state's workforce and economic trends.

Environmental Resource Management and Pollution Prevention at De Anza

The Environmental Studies Department offers two certificates and an associate degree in Environmental Resource Management and Pollution Prevention. The training received is multidisciplinary – covering areas of law and regulation, public health, economics, science and technology â€“ and includes coursework covering practical management skills and tools that employers want.

Courses are designed for students of all levels, including those just beginning their studies as well as professionals who are looking to improve their knowledge and career opportunities. Many classes are taught at De Anza's award-winning Kirsch Center for Environmental Studies. In addition, a number of courses are offered online. 

Students earning an associate degree can also apply for transfer to universities offering bachelor's and advanced degrees in Environmental Studies or Environmental Science.

In addition to this program, the Environmental Studies Department offers degrees and certificates in

• Energy Management and Building Science
• Facility and Sustainable Building Management

Environmental Studies

• Energy Management and Building Science - Certificate of AchievementDetails for Certificate of Achievement - Energy Management and Building Science

  The Certificate of Achievement in Energy Management and Building Science will prepare students for new and emerging career opportunities in energy management technology, building energy audit, facilities management, building design and sustainability and renewable energy systems. Completion of the Certificate of Achievement provides an introduction to energy efficiency techniques and principles and prepares students for careers in managing and monitoring energy efficient buildings. The certificate curriculum is aligned with professional certifications offered by the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA), including Facilities Management Professional (FMP) and Sustainable Facilities Professional (SFP). Students will also be well prepared for the certification test for Renewable (Solar) Energy Professional offered by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

• Energy Management and Building Science - Certificate of Achievement-AdvancedDetails for Certificate of Achievement-Advanced - Energy Management and Building Science

  The Certificate of Achievement-Advanced in Energy Management and Building Science will prepare students for new and emerging career opportunities in energy management technology, building energy audit, facilities management, building design and sustainability and renewable energy systems. Completion of the Certificate of Achievement- Advanced provides an intermediate level of analysis in energy efficiency principles and prepares students for careers in managing and monitoring energy efficient buildings. The certificate curriculum is aligned with professional certifications offered by the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA), including Facilities Management Professional (FMP) and Sustainable Facilities Professional (SFP). Students will also be well prepared for the certification test for Renewable (Solar) Energy Professional offered by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

• Energy Management and Building Science - Associate in ScienceDetails for Associate in Science - Energy Management and Building Science

  The A.S. degree in Energy Management and Building Science will prepare students for new and emerging career opportunities in energy management technology, building energy audit, facilities management, building design and sustainability and renewable energy systems. Completion of the degree program provides students with a skilled knowledge of energy efficiency principles and prepares them for careers in managing and monitoring energy efficient buildings. The program curriculum is aligned with professional certifications offered by the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA), including Facilities Management Professional (FMP) and Sustainable Facilities Professional (SFP). Students will also be well prepared for the certification test for Renewable (Solar) Energy Professional offered by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

• Environmental Resource Management and Pollution Prevention - Certificate of AchievementOnline OptionDetails for Certificate of Achievement - Environmental Resource Management and Pollution Prevention

  In this career-oriented program, students are trained in the interrelated fields of environmental resource management (sustainable multiple-use management of our fundamental environmental resources â?? air, water, land, food and extracted materials) and pollution prevention. The training received is multidisciplinary, covering the areas of law and regulation, public health, economics and science and technology, and includes coursework covering a variety of practical management tools that employers look for. Upon completion, students are prepared for employment as entry-level environmental management or pollution prevention specialists in a wide range of positions and settings, including working for business, government and nonprofit organizations. This certificate is the first step in a career ladder, on which students can optionally choose to later complete a Certificate of Achievement-Advanced and finally an A.A. degree.

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

• Environmental Resource Management and Pollution Prevention - Certificate of Achievement-AdvancedOnline OptionDetails for Certificate of Achievement-Advanced - Environmental Resource Management and Pollution Prevention

  In this career-oriented program, students are trained in the interrelated fields of environmental resource management (sustainable multiple-use management of our fundamental environmental resources â?? air, water, land, food and extracted materials) and pollution prevention. The training received is multidisciplinary, covering the areas of law and regulation, public health, economics and science and technology, and includes coursework covering a variety of practical management tools that employers look for. Upon completion, students are prepared for employment as environmental management or pollution prevention specialists in a wide range of positions and settings, including working for business, government and nonprofit organizations. This certificate is the middle step in a career ladder with the first step being a Certificate of Achievement and the last (optional) step being an A.A. degree.

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

• Environmental Resource Management and Pollution Prevention - Associate in ArtsDetails for Associate in Arts - Environmental Resource Management and Pollution Prevention

  In this career-oriented program, students are trained in the interrelated fields of environmental resource management (sustainable multiple-use management of our fundamental environmental resources â?? air, water, land, food and extracted materials) and pollution prevention. The training received is multidisciplinary, covering the areas of law and regulation, public health, economics and science and technology, and includes coursework covering a variety of practical management tools that employers look for. Upon completion, students are prepared for either employment as environmental management or pollution prevention specialists (in a wide range of positions and settings, including working for business, government and nonprofit organizations) or for transfer to four-year degree programs in Environmental Studies or related majors. This degree is the last step in a career ladder with the first step being a Certificate of Achievement and the second being a Certificate of Achievement-Advanced.

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

• Environmental Science (Biological/Ecological Science Emphasis) - Transfer MapDetails for Transfer Map - Environmental Science (Biological/Ecological Science Emphasis)

  A transfer map is a suggested schedule of courses to take each quarter, if you are planning to transfer and pursue a bachelor’s degree in a particular subject. These maps were created to help you get a solid footing in the subject and stay on track with courses commonly required by CSU or UC schools, but they do not guarantee your admission to any university. It’s important that you work with a counselor or academic adviser to determine exactly which classes you need to reach your particular goal.

  Transfer Map

• Environmental Science (Physical/Earth Science Emphasis) - Transfer MapDetails for Transfer Map - Environmental Science (Physical/Earth Science Emphasis)

  A transfer map is a suggested schedule of courses to take each quarter, if you are planning to transfer and pursue a bachelor’s degree in a particular subject. These maps were created to help you get a solid footing in the subject and stay on track with courses commonly required by CSU or UC schools, but they do not guarantee your admission to any university. It’s important that you work with a counselor or academic adviser to determine exactly which classes you need to reach your particular goal.

  Transfer Map

• Environmental Studies (Environmental Resource Management and Pollution Prevention) - Transfer MapDetails for Transfer Map - Environmental Studies (Environmental Resource Management and Pollution Prevention)

  A transfer map is a suggested schedule of courses to take each quarter, if you are planning to transfer and pursue a bachelor’s degree in a particular subject. These maps were created to help you get a solid footing in the subject and stay on track with courses commonly required by CSU or UC schools, but they do not guarantee your admission to any university. It’s important that you work with a counselor or academic adviser to determine exactly which classes you need to reach your particular goal.

  Transfer Map

• Facility and Sustainable Building Management - Certificate of AchievementDetails for Certificate of Achievement - Facility and Sustainable Building Management

  The interdisciplinary Facility and Sustainable Building Management certificate aligns with the requirements set by the facility management industry for qualified facility management professionals. Students will be educated and provided on-the-job work experience. Students will understand the cross-functional aspects of a successful facility manager and will be further educated on the roles facility managers play, the basics of building operations and maintenance, building sustainability and work management within the facility manager job function. The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) estimates the average age of practicing facility managers is more than 49 years old. IFMA also forecasts that 30% to 50% of practicing facility managers will retire within the next 10 years. This indicates a pending employment gap and a need for younger, well-educated and qualified facility management professionals. IFMA has turned to California community colleges to help fill this gap. The Facility and Sustainable Building Management certificates and degrees will prepare students for careers in building sustainability, space planning, environmental health and safety, energy efficiency, sustainable landscaping, real estate, property management, human resources and other business-related job functions such as marketing, sales and accounting.

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

• Facility and Sustainable Building Management - Certificate of Achievement-AdvancedDetails for Certificate of Achievement-Advanced - Facility and Sustainable Building Management

  The interdisciplinary Facility and Sustainable Building Management certificate aligns with the requirements set by the facility management industry for qualified facility management professionals. Students will be educated and provided on-the-job work experience. Students will understand the cross-functional aspects of a successful facility manager and will be further educated on the roles facility managers play, the basics of building operations and maintenance, building sustainability and work management within the facility manager job function. The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) estimates the average age of practicing facility managers is more than 49 years old. IFMA also forecasts that 30% to 50% of practicing facility managers will retire within the next 10 years. This indicates a pending employment gap and a need for younger, well-educated and qualified facility management professionals. IFMA has turned to California community colleges to help fill this gap. The Facility and Sustainable Building Management certificates and degrees will prepare students for careers in building sustainability, space planning, environmental health and safety, energy efficiency, sustainable landscaping, real estate, property management, human resources and other business-related job functions such as marketing, sales and accounting.

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

• Facility and Sustainable Building Management - Associate in ScienceDetails for Associate in Science - Facility and Sustainable Building Management

  The interdisciplinary Facility and Sustainable Building Management degree aligns with the requirements set by the facility management industry for qualified facility management professionals. Students will be educated and provided on-the-job work experience. Students will understand the cross-functional aspects of a successful facility manager and will be further educated on the roles facility managers play, the basics of building operations and maintenance, building sustainability and work management within the facility manager job function. The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) estimates the average age of practicing facility managers is more than 49 years old. IFMA also forecasts that 30% to 50% of practicing facility managers will retire within the next 10 years. This indicates a pending employment gap and a need for younger, well-educated and qualified facility management professionals. IFMA has turned to California community colleges to help fill this gap. The Facility and Sustainable Building Management certificates and degrees will prepare students for careers in building sustainability, space planning, environmental health and safety, energy efficiency, sustainable landscaping, real estate, property management, human resources and other business-related job functions such as marketing, sales and accounting.

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

In addition to the programs listed above, you may be able to apply courses in this department toward General Education requirements.

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