Education:
68%
Bachelor's Degree
23%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Environmental Science and Protection Technician
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Job Outlook:
Faster than average
Education:
Associate's degree
Salary
High:
$82,690.00
Average:
$53,970.00
Hourly
Average:
$25.95
What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
- Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
- Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.
- Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
Important Qualities
Analytical skills. Environmental science and protection technicians must carry out a wide range of laboratory and field tests, and their results must be accurate and precise.
Communication skills. Environmental science and protection technicians must have good listening and writing skills, because they must follow precise directions for sample collection and communicate their results effectively in written reports. They also need to discuss their results with colleagues, clients, and, sometimes, public audiences.
Critical-thinking skills. Environmental science and protection technicians reach their conclusions through sound reasoning and judgment. They have to determine the best way to address environmental hazards.
Interpersonal skills. Environmental science and protection technicians need to work well and collaborate with others, because they often work with scientists and other technicians.
Personality
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Characteristics of this Career |
|---|---|---|---|
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88% | Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical. | |
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83% | Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. | |
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78% | Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. | |
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74% | Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. | |
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73% | Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. | |
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71% | Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. | |
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69% | Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. | |
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68% | Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. | |
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67% | Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. | |
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66% | Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. | |
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66% | Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
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83% | Investigative - Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service. | |
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72% | Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Values of the Work Environment |
|---|---|---|---|
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61% | 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. | |
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61% | 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. |
Aptitude
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality |
|---|---|---|---|
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75% | Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. | |
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75% | Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. | |
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75% | Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. | |
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72% | Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). | |
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72% | Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. | |
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72% | Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. | |
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66% | Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. | |
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66% | 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 that there is a problem. | |
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66% | Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). |
Job Details
Responsibilities
Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
Record research or operational data.
Collect environmental data or samples.
Advise others on matters of public policy.
Calibrate scientific or technical equipment.
Advise others on business or operational matters.
Inspect areas for compliance with sanitation standards.
Prepare biological samples for testing or analysis.
Determine methods to minimize environmental impact of activities.
Confer with clients to exchange information.
Record research or operational data.
Analyze environmental data.
Set up laboratory or field equipment.
Prepare documentation for permits or licenses.
Analyze geological samples.
Analyze chemical compounds or substances.
Test quality of materials or finished products.
Develop environmental sustainability plans or projects.
Direct natural resources management or conservation programs.
Research environmental impact of industrial or development activities.
Develop environmental sustainability plans or projects.
Direct natural resources management or conservation programs.
Inspect equipment to ensure proper functioning.
Assess compliance with environmental laws.
Supervise scientific or technical personnel.
Develop environmental research methods.
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent |
|---|---|---|---|
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96% | Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job? | |
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91% | Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? | |
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84% | Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? | |
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82% | Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? | |
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78% | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? | |
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78% | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? | |
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74% | Letters and Memos - How often does the job require written letters and memos? | |
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73% | 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? | |
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71% | Deal With External Customers - How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job? | |
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71% | Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? | |
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71% | Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job? | |
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69% | Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? | |
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68% | Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Tasks & Values |
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85% | Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. | |
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81% | Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. | |
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76% | 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. | |
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74% | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. | |
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72% | Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. | |
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71% | Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. | |
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71% | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. | |
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71% | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. | |
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69% | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. | |
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67% | Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. | |
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67% | Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. | |
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66% | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
What Environmental Science and Protection Technicians Do
Environmental science and protection technicians use laboratory equipment, such as microscopes, to analyze samples collected in the field.
Environmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting public health.
Duties
Environmental science and protection technicians typically do the following:
- Inspect establishments, including public places and businesses, to ensure that there are no environmental, health, or safety hazards
- Set up and maintain equipment used to monitor pollution levels, such as remote sensors that measure emissions from smokestacks
- Collect samples of air, soil, water, and other materials for laboratory analysis
- Clearly label, track, and ensure the integrity of samples being transported to the laboratory
- Use equipment, such as microscopes, to evaluate and analyze samples for the presence of pollutants or other contaminants
- Prepare charts and reports that summarize test results
- Discuss test results and analyses with clients
- Verify compliance with regulations that help prevent pollution
Many environmental science and protection technicians work under the supervision of environmental scientists and specialists, who direct the technicians’ work and evaluate their results. In addition, technicians often work on teams with scientists, engineers, and technicians in other fields to solve complex problems related to environmental degradation and public health. For example, they may work on teams with geoscientists and hydrologists to manage the cleanup of contaminated soils and ground water around an abandoned bomb-manufacturing site.
Most environmental science and protection technicians work for consulting firms, state or local governments, or testing laboratories.
In consulting firms, environmental science and protection technicians help clients monitor and manage the environment and comply with regulations. For example, they help businesses develop cleanup plans for contaminated sites, and they recommend ways to reduce, control, or eliminate pollution. Also, environmental science and protection technicians conduct feasibility studies for, and monitor the environmental impact of, new construction projects.
In state and local governments, environmental science and protection technicians inspect businesses and public places, and investigate complaints related to air quality, water quality, and food safety. They may be involved with the enforcement of environmental regulations. They also may help protect the environment and people’s health by performing environmental impact studies of new construction. Or they may evaluate the environmental health of sites that may contaminate the environment, such as abandoned industrial sites.
In testing laboratories, environmental science and protection technicians collect and track samples, and perform tests that are often similar to those carried out by chemical technicians, biological technicians, or microbiologists. However, in contrast to the work done by these science workers, that done by environmental science and protection technicians focuses on topics that are directly related to the environment and how it affects human health.
Environmental science and protection technicians typically specialize either in laboratory testing or in fieldwork and sample collection. However, it is common for laboratory technicians to occasionally collect samples from the field and for fieldworkers to do some work in a laboratory.
Work Environment
Environmental science and protection technicians held about 35,000 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of environmental science and protection technicians were as follows:
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | 23% |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 21 |
| Testing laboratories | 15 |
| Engineering services | 9 |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 7 |
Environmental science and protection technicians work in laboratories, offices, and the field. Fieldwork offers a variety of settings. For example, technicians may investigate an abandoned manufacturing plant, or work outdoors to test the water quality of lakes and rivers. They may work near streams and rivers, monitoring the levels of pollution caused by runoff from cities and landfills, or they may have to use the crawl spaces under a house in order to neutralize natural health risks such as radon. While working outdoors, they may be exposed to adverse weather conditions.
In the field, environmental science and protection technicians spend most of their time on their feet, which can be physically demanding. They also may need to carry and set up testing equipment, which can involve some heavy lifting and frequent bending and crouching. Fieldwork may be seasonal, depending on the location, since low temperatures in the winter could inhibit taking samples from water sources or soil.
Depending on the type of work and fieldwork they do, technicians may need to wear protective gear such as hardhats, masks, and coveralls to protect them from hazards.
Work Schedules
Environmental science and protection technicians typically work full time. Working in the field exposes them to all types of weather. Also, technicians may need to travel to meet with clients or to perform fieldwork, either of which may require technicians to work additional or irregular hours.
Getting Started
How to Become an Environmental Science and Protection Technician
Environmental science and protection technicians need an associate’s degree or comparable postsecondary training.
Environmental science and protection technicians typically need an associate’s degree or 2 years of postsecondary education, although some positions require a bachelor’s degree.
Education
Environmental science and protection technicians typically need an associate’s degree in environmental science, environmental health, or public health, or a related degree. Because of the wide range of tasks, environments, and industries in which these technicians work, there are jobs that do not require postsecondary education and others that require a bachelor’s degree.
A background in natural sciences is important for environmental science and protection technicians. Students should take courses in chemistry, biology, geology, and physics. Coursework in math, statistics, and computer science also is useful, because technicians routinely do data analysis and modeling.
Many technical and community colleges offer programs in environmental studies or a related technology, such as remote sensing or geographic information systems (GISs). While in college, students should include coursework that provides laboratory experience.
Associate’s degree programs at community colleges often are designed to allow students to easily transfer to bachelor’s degree programs at public colleges and universities.
Training
Technicians whose jobs involve handling hazardous waste typically need to complete training in accordance with Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) standards. The length of training depends on the type of hazardous material that workers handle. The training covers health hazards, personal protective equipment and clothing, site safety, recognizing and identifying hazards, and decontamination.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
In some states, environmental science and protection technicians can benefit from obtaining certification to conduct certain types of environmental and health inspections. For example, certification for technicians who test buildings for radon is offered through the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB).
The Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) credential is offered through the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA).
Job Outlook
Employment of environmental science and protection technicians is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 3,800 openings for environmental science and protection technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment
Heightened public interest in issues involving the environment, such as fracking, and the increasing demands placed on the environment by population growth should lead to more jobs for environmental science and protection technicians as businesses and governments rely on these workers to help monitor the environment and comply with regulations.
Contacts for More Information
For more information about environmental health technicians and related occupations, visit
National Environmental Health Association
For more information about training, visit
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
For more information specific to radon technicians, visit
Similar Occupations
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of environmental science and protection technicians.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Agricultural and Food Science Technicians |
Agricultural and food science technicians assist agricultural and food scientists. |
Associate's degree | $46,140 |
|
Biological Technicians |
Biological technicians help biological and medical scientists conduct laboratory tests and experiments. |
Bachelor's degree | $49,650 |
|
Chemical Technicians |
Chemical technicians conduct laboratory tests to help scientists analyze the properties of materials. |
Associate's degree | $50,840 |
|
Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians |
Environmental engineering technologists and technicians implement the plans that environmental engineers develop. |
Associate's degree | $50,980 |
|
Environmental Scientists and Specialists |
Environmental scientists and specialists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment and human health. |
Bachelor's degree | $76,480 |
|
Forensic Science Technicians |
Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence. |
Bachelor's degree | $63,740 |
|
Geoscientists |
Geoscientists study the physical aspects of the Earth. |
Bachelor's degree | $87,480 |
|
Hydrologists |
Hydrologists study how water moves across and through the Earth’s crust. |
Bachelor's degree | $85,990 |
|
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians |
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians perform medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. |
Bachelor's degree | $57,380 |
|
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians |
Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians collect data on, analyze, and design improvements to work environments and procedures. |
See How to Become One | $75,240 |