What You'll Do

  • Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
  • Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
  • 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.
  • Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.
  • Make recommendations to control or eliminate unsafe conditions at workplaces or public facilities.
  • Inspect sanitary conditions at public facilities.
  • Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
  • Calculate amount of pollutant in samples or compute air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes, using chemical and mathematical formulas.
  • Initiate procedures to close down or fine establishments violating environmental or health regulations.
  • Determine amounts and kinds of chemicals to use in destroying harmful organisms or removing impurities from purification systems.

Essential Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.0/5
Active Listening 3.88/5
Writing 3.88/5
Speaking 3.88/5
Critical Thinking 3.75/5
Science 3.38/5
Monitoring 3.38/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.25/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.25/5
Mathematics 3.12/5
Active Learning 3.12/5
Systems Analysis 3.12/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.

Common styles

Integrity, Attention to Detail, Dependability, Adaptability/Flexibility, Cooperation

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 4.0/5
Written Comprehension 4.0/5
Oral Expression 4.0/5
Written Expression 3.88/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.88/5
Near Vision 3.88/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.62/5
Inductive Reasoning 3.62/5

Technologies & Tools

Adobe Acrobat Autodesk AutoCAD Autodesk Softdesk Computer aided design CAD software Database software Email software ESRI ArcGIS software ESRI ArcInfo ESRI ArcPad ESRI ArcView ESRI software FishXing Flood modeling software Geomechanical design analysis GDA software Graphics software HEC-HMS HEC-RAS Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Integrity (High importance: 4.5/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.32/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.14/5)
  • Adaptability/Flexibility (High importance: 3.95/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 3.91/5)

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How to Become One

Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Some positions may also require experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level work to strengthen your candidacy.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Air Analyst Air Pollution Auditor Air Quality Technician (Air Quality Tech) Analytical Lab Tech (Analytical Laboratory Technician) Asbestos Abatement Technician (Asbestos Abatement Tech) Asbestos Microscopist Biological Lab Tech (Biological Laboratory Technician) Biotechnician Certified Indoor Environmentalist Chemical Lab Tech (Chemical Laboratory Technician) Compliance Technician (Compliance Tech) Decontamination Technician (Decontamination Tech) Emergency Spill Response Technician (Emergency Spill Response Tech) Energy and Conservation Technician (Energy and Conservation Tech) Environmental Analyst Environmental Compliance Technician (Environmental Compliance Tech) Environmental Field Technician (Environmental Field Tech) Environmental Health Officer (EHO) Environmental Lab Tech (Environmental Laboratory Technician) Environmental Monitoring Technician (Environmental Monitoring Tech) Environmental Property Assessor Environmental Sampling Technician (Environmental Sampling Tech) Environmental Science Technician (Environmental Science Tech) Environmental Technician (Environmental Tech) Environmental Test Technician (Environmental Test Tech) Facility Environmental Technician (Facility Environmental Tech) Field Environmental Technician (Field Environmental Tech) Field Sampling Technician (Field Sampling Tech) Field Technician Ground Water Monitoring Technician (Ground Water Monitoring Tech) Ground Water Technician (Ground Water Tech) Hazardous Materials Analyst (Hazmat Analyst) Hazardous Materials Technician (Hazardous Materials Tech) Hazardous Waste Technician (Hazardous Waste Tech) Industrial Ecology Technician (Industrial Ecology Tech) Industrial Pretreatment Program Specialist (IPP Specialist) Infectious Waste Technician (Infectious Waste Tech) Lab Assistant (Laboratory Assistant) Lab Technician (Laboratory Technician) Lead-Based Paint Technician (Lead-Based Paint Tech) Leaking Underground Storage Tank Remover (LUST Remover) Materials Exchange Specialist Microbiological Lab Technician (Microbiological Laboratory Technician) Mobile Lab Technician (Mobile Laboratory Technician) Monitoring Technician (Monitoring Tech) Natural Resources Technician (Natural Resources Tech) Pollution Control Technician (Pollution Control Tech) Prep Technician (Preparation Technician) Process Environmental Technician (Process Environmental Tech) Public Health Sanitarian Public Health Sanitarian Technician (Public Health Sanitarian Tech) Radon Inspector Remediation Technician (Remediation Tech) Sample Prep Tech (Sample Preparation Technician) Sample Technician (Sample Tech) Sanitarian Sanitarian Specialist Smog Technician (Smog Tech) Smoke Tester Soil Analyst Soil Lab Technician (Soil Laboratory Technician) Solid Waste Analyst Solid Waste Landfill Technician (Solid Waste Landfill Tech) Solid Waste Technician (Solid Waste Tech) Surface Water Technician (Surface Water Tech) Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility Technician (TSDF Technician) Waste Minimization Technician (Waste Minimization Tech) Waste Specialist Wastewater Analyst Water Analyst Water Quality Analyst Water Quality Specialist Water Quality Technician (Water Quality Tech) Water Treatment Specialist