Advertisement
Advertisement
|
Home :: Career Center
:: Healthcare Career Profiles :: Allied Health Career Profiles
Environmental Engineer Technician - Career Profile |
Career OverviewEnvironmental technicians are also called pollution control technicians. They are responsible for conducting tests and field investigations to obtain samples and data that scientists, environmental engineers and other professionals need to clean up, monitor, control or prevent pollution.
Usually an environmental technician will specialize in water, air or soil pollution. Using specialized equipment and instruments, the technician gathers samples for laboratory analysis. The technician also monitors pollution control devices and systems, such as the air scrubbers in smokestacks. In order to perform tests, evaluate pollution problems and meet the requirements of environmental laws, environmental technicians must follow strict procedures when collecting and recording data. The environmental technician generally does not operate the equipment and systems designed to prevent pollution or remove pollutants. Rather, he or she conducts tests and makes reports.
Environmental technicians usually work for or with government agencies that regulate industrial pollution. They use computers and highly sophisticated electronic devices to collect samples and monitor sources. They pass their findings on, verbally or in writing, to environmental engineers and other scientists.
Water pollution technicians monitor both residential and industrial discharge. They collect samples from lakes and streams, from groundwater, and from industrial and municipal waste water. They often work outdoors, sometimes in remote areas. Some work from boats, using diving gear.
Air pollution technicians collect and test air samples. Their samples might come from rooftop devices or from inside an industrial chimney. Technicians also record data on atmospheric conditions. Many technicians specialize in certain pollutants and sources, such as automobile emissions.
Soil pollution technicians collect samples of soil, mud and silt and test them for contamination. Soil can be contaminated by exposure to polluted water, such as leakage from a factory or a landfill site. Some soil conservation technicians also perform pollution control work.
Noise pollution technicians are sometimes grouped with environmental technicians. They use mobile units and rooftop devices to collect data and take readings on noise levels from factories, airports, traffic, construction sites, and other locations in a community.
|
Career RequirementsHigh school students who wish to become environmental technicians should take courses in physics, biology, algebra, geometry, computer skills and chemistry. They should also take conservation and ecology courses if they are available. They will need good communication skills, so courses in English and writing are also recommended.
Environmental work is becoming more and more technical, so community colleges have developed programs for environmental technicians. Courses are available in environmental technologies, pollution control technologies, ecology and conservation. Courses include toxicology, meteorology, air quality management, statistics, environmental science, and source testing, sampling and analysis.
|
Advertisement
|
Job OutlookThe demand for environmental technicians is predicted to increase at an average rate through 2010. The best opportunities will go to those trained to deal with increasingly complex technical demands.
Environmental technicians will be required to clean up contaminated sites, monitor compliance with environmental regulations, collect waste products and collect soil, water and air samples for testing. The demand for environmental technicians will be especially great in major urban centers like New York City and Los Angeles.
|
Career TrackA beginning environmental technician with a four-year degree in engineering or physical science is more likely to be promoted than a technician with a two-year degree. A technician can be promoted to technologist, and a technologist with enough experience can become a technician manager. Employees in government agencies are generally organized under a civil service system that specifies experience and education for advancement. Promotions in private industry are structured differently.
|
CompensationGovernment entry-level salaries for environmental technicians range from $17,400 to $22,200 a year. Technicians who become managers or supervisors can earn up to $50,000 or more a year.
|
|