Start your adventure with a biology overview, then dive into videos and concepts based on your favorite science subjects on Khan Academy.

Choose your favorite topic in science, then explore it.

Environmental Protection Technicians

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.

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Third Interest High-Point

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

First Interest High-Point

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

Second Interest High-Point

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

Miscellaneous Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians

Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations

Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians

Discuss test results and analyses with customers.

Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.

Develop or implement programs for monitoring of environmental pollution or radiation.

Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.

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.

Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.

Monitor emission control devices to ensure they are operating properly and comply with state and federal regulations.

Inspect sanitary conditions at public facilities.

Examine and analyze material for presence and concentration of contaminants, such as asbestos, using variety of microscopes.

Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.

Develop or implement site recycling or hazardous waste stream programs.

Perform statistical analysis of environmental data.

Analyze potential environmental impacts of production process changes, and recommend steps to mitigate negative impacts.

Set up equipment or stations to monitor and collect pollutants from sites, such as smoke stacks, manufacturing plants, or mechanical equipment.

Make recommendations to control or eliminate unsafe conditions at workplaces or public facilities.

Distribute permits, closure plans, or cleanup plans.

Maintain files, such as hazardous waste databases, chemical usage data, personnel exposure information, or diagrams showing equipment locations.

Calculate amount of pollutant in samples or compute air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes, using chemical and mathematical formulas.

Direct activities of workers in laboratory.

Weigh, analyze, or measure collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants.

Initiate procedures to close down or fine establishments violating environmental or health regulations.

Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.

Determine amounts and kinds of chemicals to use in destroying harmful organisms or removing impurities from purification systems.

Conduct standardized tests to ensure materials or supplies used throughout power supply systems meet processing and safety specifications.

35 millimeter cameras

Air current test kits

Air monitoring equipment

Air sampling impingers

Air sampling primary flow calibrators

Area sampling pumps

Autoclaves

Binocular light compound microscopes

Bioaerosol impactors

Bladder water sampling pumps

Carbon monoxide monitors

Carpet sampling pump kits

Centrifugal water sampling pumps

Centrifuges

Chloride test kits

Chlorinated hydrocarbon testing equipment

CO2 monitors

Colorimetric field sampling devices

Detector tubes

Digital cameras

Digital hand meters

Digitizing tablets

Dilution systems

Electronic pump calibrators

Explosive gas monitors

Field data collection computers

Environmental Protection Technicians

Overview

Career

What Environmental Protection Technicians Do

Other Job Titles Environmental Protection Technicians May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Environmental Protection Technicians

Overview

Career

What Environmental Protection Technicians Do

Other Job Titles Environmental Protection Technicians May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Environmental Protection Technicians

Majors Related to Career

Related Careers

Related Leaders