Picture this: You’re the first responder to environmental concerns, collecting air samples near an industrial facility after community complaints about air quality. Think about being the person who discovers that a local water supply has concerning levels of contaminants and initiates actions that protect thousands of residents. That’s what Environmental Science and Protection Technicians do!
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians are the frontline defenders of environmental and public health. They combine scientific expertise with practical field work to monitor environmental conditions, analyze samples, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
Total Employment: 32,390 (2023)
Common Names for Environmental Science and Protection Technicians
- 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
What Environmental Science and Protection Technicians Do
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians monitor environmental conditions, investigate sources of pollution and contamination, and work to protect human health and the environment by conducting tests, collecting samples, and ensuring compliance with regulations.
Primary responsibilities include:
- Sample Collection: Collect environmental samples (water, soil, air) following strict protocols to ensure accurate assessment of environmental conditions and potential contamination levels.
- Data Analysis: Process and analyze environmental testing data to identify patterns, compliance issues, or potential environmental hazards that require attention or remediation.
- Field Monitoring: Conduct regular field inspections and monitoring activities to evaluate environmental conditions, verify compliance with regulations, and detect potential violations or hazards.
- Laboratory Testing: Perform standardized laboratory procedures to analyze environmental samples, ensuring accurate results that inform environmental protection decisions.
- Documentation Management: Maintain detailed records of sampling activities, test results, and field observations to support regulatory compliance and provide evidence for environmental investigations.
- Compliance Verification: Inspect facilities and sites to ensure adherence to environmental regulations and health standards, identifying violations that require correction.
- Equipment Maintenance: Calibrate and maintain sampling and testing equipment to ensure accuracy of environmental measurements and validity of collected data.
- Report Generation: Prepare comprehensive technical reports documenting findings, test results, and recommendations to support decision-making by environmental scientists and regulatory agencies.
- Safety Protocol Implementation: Follow and enforce safety procedures during sample collection and testing to protect personnel and maintain sample integrity.
- Public Health Protection: Monitor environmental conditions that could impact public health, alerting appropriate authorities when potential risks are identified
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