Environmental Science and Protection Technician

Overview and Key Facts

What Do They Do?

An environmental science and protection technician could...

Overview Listen to this section

Pollution affects everything the eye can see (and even places your eyes cannot see, like deep underground and air particles). This is when environmental science and protection technicians, or an environmental advisor, come to the rescue! They help identify issues caused from pollution or contamination. They may collect samples and test them. They can even plan emergency responses and recommend improvements to make the world a better place for all!

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of an Environmental Science and Protection Technician?

1. Reading Comprehension: ? Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
2. Writing: ? Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
3. 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.
4. Speaking: ? Talking to others to convey information effectively.
5. Critical Thinking: ? Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

6. Monitoring: ? Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
7. Science: ? Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
8. Judgment and Decision Making: ? Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
9. Complex Problem Solving: ? Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
10. Systems Analysis: ? Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks an Environmental Science and Protection Technician might do:

• 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.
• Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
• Discuss test results and analyses with customers.
• Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.
• Weigh, analyze, or measure collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants.
• Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.
• 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.
• Maintain files, such as hazardous waste databases, chemical usage data, personnel exposure information, or diagrams showing equipment locations.
• Set up equipment or stations to monitor and collect pollutants from sites, such as smoke stacks, manufacturing plants, or mechanical equipment.
• Develop or implement programs for monitoring of environmental pollution or radiation.
• Monitor emission control devices to ensure they are operating properly and comply with state and federal regulations.
• Make recommendations to control or eliminate unsafe conditions at workplaces or public facilities.
• Calculate amount of pollutant in samples or compute air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes, using chemical and mathematical formulas.
• Develop testing procedures.
• Perform statistical analysis of environmental data.
• Develop or implement site recycling or hazardous waste stream programs.
• Analyze potential environmental impacts of production process changes, and recommend steps to mitigate negative impacts.
• Direct activities of workers in laboratory.