They help in the remediation of soils contaminated with organic or inorganic compounds by responding to emergencies, sampling contaminated soils, and designing and supervising cleanup and treatment. They evaluate sites, test soils, and maintain records for disposal of septic tank effluent, municipal sludge, waste water effluent, and animal manures. They map soils, write soil profile descriptions and soil survey reports, compile soils maps, and develop geographic information systems to make soils data and interpretations available for land use decisions. They evaluate the impact of land use on water and soil quality. If it has something to do with the land, then they will be involved at some level.
Soils exist and are used and abused all over the surface of the earth.
Environmental soil scientists are in a unique position to help manage soil resources for our betterment and that of future generations. The largest category of employers for environmental soil scientists is the private consulting firm. Consulting firms have been recruiting environmental soil scientists from state and local governmental agencies. In many agencies, the need for replacement environmental soil scientists is acute although not always satisfied due to budget restrictions. Environmental problems such as the cleanup of superfund sites and the continuing difficulty in regulating a wide array of waste disposal processes have increased the demand for environmental soil scientists.