Environmental Science and Protection Technicians

Summary

Many environmental science and protection technicians work outdoors measuring levels of pollution and collecting samples.

Quick Facts: Environmental Science and Protection Technicians
2010 Median Pay	$41,380 per year $19.90 per hour
Entry-Level Education	Associate’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	Moderate-term on-the-job training
Number of Jobs, 2010	29,600
Job Outlook, 2010-20	24% (Faster than average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	7,000

What Environmental Science and Protection Technicians Do

Environmental science and protection technicians do laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those affecting health. Many work under the supervision of environmental scientists and specialists, who direct their work and evaluate their results.

Work Environment

Environmental science and protection technicians work in offices, laboratories, and the field.

How to Become an Environmental Science or Protection Technician

Most environmental science and protection technicians need an associate’s degree or 2 years of postsecondary training. New technicians are often trained on the job by more experienced environmental science and protection technicians.

Pay

The median annual wage of environmental science and protection technicians was $41,380 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of environmental science and protection technicians is expected to increase by 24 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Environmental science and protection technicians should have good job prospects overall.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of environmental science and protection technicians with similar occupations.

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Contacts for More Information

Learn more about environmental science and protection technicians by contacting these additional resources.

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 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
• Perform scientific tests to identify and measure levels of pollutants in samples
• Prepare charts and reports that summarize test results
• Discuss test results and analyses with clients

Many environmental science and protection technicians work under the supervision of environmental scientists and specialists, who direct their work and evaluate their results. In addition, they 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.

Most environmental science and protection technicians work either for state or local government or for private consulting firms.

In state and local governments, environmental science and protection technicians enforce regulations that protect the environment and people’s health. They spend a lot of time inspecting businesses and public places and investigating complaints related to air quality, water quality, and food safety. They may issue fines or close establishments that violate environmental or health regulations.

In private 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.

Work Environment

Environmental science and protection technicians work to protects us from threats, such as air pollution.

Environmental science and protection technicians held about 29,600 jobs in 2010.  The industries employing the largest numbers of environmental science and protection technicians in 2010 were as follows: 

Most environmental science and protection technicians work for professional, scientific, and technical services firms or for state or local government.

Environmental science and protection technicians work in laboratories, offices, and the field. Fieldwork offers a variety of settings; for example, a technician may investigate a chemical spill inside a manufacturing plant or spend time outdoors testing the water quality of lakes and rivers.

In the field, technicians spend most of their time on their feet, which can be physically demanding. Also, they may need to set up monitoring or testing equipment, which can involve some heavy lifting and frequent bending and crouching.

Work Schedules

Environmental science and protection technicians must often travel to meet with clients or perform fieldwork. This may occasionally require technicians to work long or irregular hours.

How to Become an Environmental Science or Protection Technician

Environmental science and protection technicians need an associate’s degree or comparable postsecondary training.

Environmental science and protection technicians need an associate’s degree or comparable postsecondary training for most jobs. New technicians are often trained on the job by more experienced environmental science and protection technicians.

Education

Most employers prefer applicants who have at least an associate’s degree, or 2 years of postsecondary training, in a natural science or science-related technology. However, some entry-level positions require a high school diploma.

Many technical and community colleges offer programs in environmental studies or a related technology, such as remote sensing or geographic information systems (GIS). Associate’s degree programs at community colleges are traditionally designed to provide easy transfer to bachelor’s degree programs at colleges and universities because a bachelor’s degree can be useful for future career advancement. Technical institutes usually offer technical training but provide less theory and general education than community colleges offer.

A well-rounded background in natural sciences is important for environmental science technicians, so students should take courses in chemistry, biology, geology, and physics. Coursework in mathematics, statistics, and computer science also is useful because technicians routinely do data analysis and modeling. Many schools offer internships and cooperative-education programs, which help students gain valuable experience while attending school. Internships and cooperative-education experience can enhance the students’ employment prospects.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Environmental science and protection technicians must be able to carry out a wide range of laboratory and field tests, and their results must be accurate and precise.

Critical-thinking skills. Environmental science and protection technicians reach their conclusions through sound reasoning and judgment. They have to be able to determine the best way to address environmental hazards.

Interpersonal skills. Environmental science and protection technicians need to be able to work well with others as part of a team, because they often work together with scientists and other technicians.

Listening skills. Environmental science and protection technicians must carefully follow instructions given to them by environmental scientists and specialists, because any mistakes can invalidate the results of their experiments and investigations.

Speaking skills. Environmental science and protection technicians must be able to discuss their results with clients and colleagues.

Writing skills. Environmental science and protection technicians must document the results of their work in written reports.

Training

Most environmental science and protection technicians receive on-the-job training. The length of training varies with the new employee’s level of experience and education.  

Typically, experienced technicians teach new employees proper methods and procedures for conducting experiments, inspections, and other tasks. Technicians usually learn about relevant environmental and health regulations and standards as part of their training.

Licenses

In some states, environmental science and protection technicians need a license to do certain types of environmental and health inspections. For example, some states require licensing for technicians who test buildings for radon. Licensure requirements vary by state but typically include minimum levels of education and experience and a passing score on an exam.

Advancement

Technicians who have a bachelor’s degree are often able to advance to environmental scientist positions. For more information, see the profile on environmental scientists and specialists.

Pay

The median annual wage of environmental science and protection technicians was $41,380 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,590, and the top 10 percent earned more than $67,630.

Job Outlook

Employment of environmental science and protection technicians is expected to grow by 24 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Heightened public interest in the hazards facing the environment, as well as the increasing demands placed on the environment by population growth, are expected to spur demand for environmental science and protection technicians. Further demand is expected as a result of new and increasingly complex environmental laws and regulations.

Most employment growth for environmental science and protection technicians is projected to be in private consulting firms. More businesses and governments are expected to use these firms in the future to help them monitor and manager the environment and comply with regulations.

Job Prospects

Environmental science and protection technicians should have good opportunities for employment. In addition to openings due to growth, many job openings are expected to be created by those who retire or leave the occupation for other reasons. Job candidates with an associate’s degree or experience should have the best opportunities.

Job opportunities available in state and local governments will vary from year to year with the budgets of state and local environmental protection agencies.

Contacts for More Information

For information on careers as environmental science and protection technicians focusing on how environmental hazards affect human health, visit

National Environmental Health Association