Clarifying the Role of Environmental Analysts

The responsibilities of the private consulting environmental analyst are complex and may involve the public, the client, the consulting firm, regulatory agencies, and personal professional interests. These relationships may be conflicting but need not be mutually exclusive. The role of environmental analysts as part of a multidisciplinary engineering design team is critical to achieving projects that are cost-effective, environmentally sound, and implementable. Environmental analysts must work through professional societies to promote their professional status and clearly define professional and moral responsibilities.