Environmental Science And Protection Technicians, Including Health

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

Description

Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health, under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist. May collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing.

Tasks

Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
Develop or implement programs for monitoring of environmental pollution or radiation.
Discuss test results and analyses with customers.
Set up equipment or stations to monitor and collect pollutants from sites, such as smoke stacks, manufacturing plants, or mechanical equipment.
Maintain files, such as hazardous waste databases, chemical usage data, personnel exposure information, or diagrams showing equipment locations.
Develop testing procedures or direct activities of workers in laboratory.
Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.
Examine and analyze material for presence and concentration of contaminants, such as asbestos, using variety of microscopes.
Calculate amount of pollutant in samples or compute air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes, using chemical and mathematical formulas.
Make recommendations to control or eliminate unsafe conditions at workplaces or public facilities.
Weigh, analyze, or measure collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock to determine concentration of pollutants.
Provide information or technical or program assistance to government representatives, employers, or the general public on the issues of public health, environmental protection, or workplace safety.
Conduct standardized tests to ensure materials or supplies used throughout power supply systems meet processing and safety specifications.
Perform statistical analysis of environmental data.
Respond to and investigate hazardous conditions or spills, or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.
Determine amounts and kinds of chemicals to use in destroying harmful organisms or removing impurities from purification systems.
Inspect sanitary conditions at public facilities.
Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.
Distribute permits, closure plans, or cleanup plans.
Initiate procedures to close down or fine establishments violating environmental or health regulations.
Analyze potential environmental impacts of production process changes and recommend steps to mitigate negative impacts.
Develop or implement site recycling or hazardous waste stream programs.
Monitor emission control devices to ensure they are operating properly and are in compliance with state and federal regulations.

Knowledge

Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Chemistry: Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Biology: Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Physics: Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
Geography: Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Clerical: Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Skills

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Abilities

Oral Comprehension: The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Written Comprehension: The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Oral Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Near Vision: The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Written Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity: The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Work Activities

Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Work Context

Face-to-Face Discussions: How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Electronic Mail: How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
Contact With Others: How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Telephone: How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Freedom to Make Decisions: How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets: How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment: How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled: How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Outdoors, Exposed to Weather: How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
Exposed to Contaminants: How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

Interests

Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Work Style

Integrity: Job requires being honest and ethical.
Attention to Detail: Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability: Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Analytical Thinking: Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Cooperation: Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Initiative: Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Achievement/Effort: Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility: Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Independence: Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Persistence: Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Work Values

Achievement: Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Support: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Relationships: Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Recognition: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Independence: Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Working Conditions: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Related Occupations

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Soil and Plant Scientists

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Food Science Technicians

Chemical Technicians

Forensic Science Technicians

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

Lay Titles

Air Analyst

Air Pollution Auditor

Air Quality Technician

Air Sampling and Monitoring

Asbestos Abatement Technician

Asbestos Microscopist

Biological/Microbiological Lab Technician

Biotechnician

Chemical/Analytical Lab Technician

Compliance Analyst

Compliance Manager

Decontamination Technician

Emergency Response Technician

Emergency Spill Response Technician

Energy and Conservation Technician

Environmental Analyst

Environmental Compliance Technician

Environmental Health Specialist

Environmental Laboratory Technician

Environmental Property Assessor

Environmental Safety Specialist

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Specialist

Environmental Technician

Facility Environmental Technician

Field Sampling Technician

Ground Water Technician

Hazardous Material Technician

Hazardous Materials Analyst

Hazardous Substances Scientist

Hazardous Waste Technician

Industrial Ecology Technician

Industrial Pretreatment Program Specialist (IPP Specialist)

Infectious Waste Technician

Instrumentation Chemist

Laboratory Assistant

Laboratory Specialist

Laboratory Technician

Lead-Based Paint Technician

Leaking Underground Storage Tank Remover (LUST Remover)

Mobile Lab Technician

Natural Resource Technician

Pollution Control Technician

Process Environmental Technician

Process Laboratory Specialist

Public Health Sanitarian

Radon Inspector

Remediation Technician

Sample Prep Technician

Sanitarian

Sanitarian Specialist

Smog Technician

Smoke Tester

Soil Analyst

Solid Waste Analyst

Solid Waste Landfill Technician

Solid Waste Technician

Source Control Inspector

Surface Water Technician

Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility Technician (TSDF Technician)

Waste Minimization Technician

Waste/Materials Exchange Specialist

Wastewater Analyst

Wastewater Treatment Plant Chemist

Water Analyst

Water Purification Chemist

Water Quality Analyst

Water Quality Specialist

National Wages and Employment Info

Median Wages (2008):: $19.83 hourly, $41,240 annual.

Employment (2008):: 30,890 employees