Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

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.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Environmental Health Officer (EHO); Environmental Technician (Environmental Tech); Industrial Pretreatment Program Specialist (IPP Specialist); Lab Technician (Laboratory Technician); Public Health Sanitarian; Sanitarian; Sanitarian Specialist; Soil Lab Technician (Soil Laboratory Technician); Water Quality Analyst; Water Quality Specialist

Tasks

• 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.

Knowledge

• Customer and Personal Service
• Chemistry
• English Language
• Computers and Electronics
• Mathematics
• Biology
• Law and Government
• Engineering and Technology
• Public Safety and Security

Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Writing
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Science
• Monitoring
• Mathematics
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Written Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Near Vision
• Problem Sensitivity
• Inductive Reasoning
• Speech Clarity
• Speech Recognition
• Information Ordering
• Category Flexibility
• Number Facility
• Flexibility of Closure
• Fluency of Ideas
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Perceptual Speed
• Visualization
• Selective Attention
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Far Vision