Occupation · SOC 19-4042
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.
Median wage
$49,490
$36,130–$85,630
Projected growth
+4.2%
Average growth
Annual openings
160
per year
Employed (US)
39,390
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
590 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionSpeakingActive ListeningWritingCritical ThinkingMonitoringScienceComplex Problem Solving
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageChemistryBiologyLaw and Government
Technology & tools
Document management softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareData base user interface and query softwareElectronic mail softwareGeographic information system
Representative 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.Develop testing procedures.Perform statistical analysis of environmental data.Develop or implement site recycling or hazardous waste stream programs.Analyze potential environmental impacts of production process changes, and recommend steps to mitigate negative impacts.Direct activities of workers in laboratory.Initiate procedures to close down or fine establishments violating environmental or health regulations.Inspect sanitary conditions at public facilities.Determine amounts and kinds of chemicals to use in destroying harmful organisms or removing impurities from purification systems.Examine and analyze material for presence and concentration of contaminants, such as asbestos, using variety of microscopes.Distribute permits, closure plans, or cleanup plans.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Environmental sample collection protocols — follow step-by-step procedures to gather gas, soil, water, and wastewater specimens under direct supervisor guidance at field sites.Standard laboratory equipment — operate balances, pipettes, and basic instruments to weigh and measure collected sample particles under close technical oversight.Microscope calibration procedures — perform routine calibration of microscopes and test instruments according to written protocols in a supervised laboratory setting.Photomicrograph preparation — prepare sample slides and photomicrographs for testing using established preparation techniques under direct technician supervision.Workplace inspection checklists — assist in inspecting facilities for health and safety hazards such as noise levels, radiation, and lighting deficiencies using prescribed forms.Field data entry and recordkeeping — record test data accurately into spreadsheets and database systems following standardized templates in an environmental laboratory.Regulatory reference materials — read and interpret environmental regulations, safety data sheets, and standard operating procedures with guidance from senior staff.Hazardous-spill response assistance — support senior technicians during spill or outbreak investigations by collecting labeled samples under established chain-of-custody protocols.Basic report formatting — draft preliminary summaries and data tables from test results using office suite and spreadsheet software under supervisor review.Client communication basics — relay straightforward test results and status updates to customers under the direction of a supervising environmental scientist.
developing
Multi-matrix sample collection — independently collect and preserve gas, soil, water, industrial wastewater, and asbestos samples in compliance with EPA and OSHA field protocols.Analytical instrument operation — calibrate and operate analytical or scientific software-integrated instruments to quantify pollutant concentrations such as lead and coal dust with minimal oversight.Pollutant data analysis — weigh, measure, and interpret collected particle samples to determine concentration levels, applying mathematical and statistical methods in routine laboratory contexts.Technical report preparation — compile and write test reports, data summaries, and interpretive charts that communicate environmental findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.Hazard investigation support — lead sample collection during workplace spill, disease outbreak, or food-poisoning investigations, applying systematic evidence-gathering techniques.Workplace safety inspection — conduct structured inspections of industrial and commercial facilities to identify health hazards including noise, radiation, and lighting risks, documenting findings independently.GIS data integration — enter field sample locations and inspection findings into geographic information system platforms to support spatial analysis of pollution sources.Regulatory compliance monitoring — monitor environmental conditions and facility operations against applicable regulatory standards, flagging non-compliance issues for supervisor review.Customer results discussion — explain test results, analytical methods, and corrective action implications to clients in clear, professional language during review meetings.Quality assurance checks — apply laboratory QA/QC procedures to verify accuracy of sample preparation, instrument readings, and data entry in an accredited testing environment.
proficient
Complex pollution source investigation — autonomously design and execute sampling strategies for multi-pollutant field investigations, including hazardous spills and disease outbreaks, across varied environmental media.Advanced instrumental analysis — select, calibrate, and troubleshoot a full suite of analytical instruments and software to quantify trace-level contaminants in non-routine or ambiguous sample matrices.Critical data interpretation — apply inductive and deductive reasoning to evaluate anomalous test data, identify pollution patterns, and draw defensible scientific conclusions without supervisory input.Comprehensive technical reporting — author detailed environmental assessment reports and regulatory submissions that synthesize complex test results, risk analyses, and remediation recommendations for regulatory agencies.Full-scope workplace health assessment — independently conduct comprehensive health and safety audits of complex industrial environments, evaluating interacting hazards such as chemical exposure, radiation, and ergonomic risks.Regulatory and legal navigation — interpret and apply federal, state, and local environmental law and government regulations to determine compliance status and advise facility managers on corrective obligations.Systems analysis of environmental risk — evaluate interconnected environmental and public health systems to identify root causes of contamination and assess downstream community health impacts.CAD and spatial modeling — use CAD and GIS software to develop site maps and spatial models that illustrate contaminant distribution and guide remediation planning.Stakeholder technical consultation — lead detailed technical briefings with customers, regulatory officials, and community representatives, translating complex analytical findings into actionable guidance.Mentored field and lab training — guide junior technicians through sample collection, instrument operation, and data analysis procedures, providing structured feedback to build independent competency.
advanced
Organizational environmental strategy — develop and direct agency-wide or firm-wide environmental monitoring programs aligned with evolving regulatory frameworks, scientific standards, and community health priorities.Program quality system leadership — design, implement, and continuously improve laboratory and field QA/QC systems that maintain accreditation and ensure defensible data across all program operations.Multi-site investigation oversight — direct concurrent complex environmental investigations and spill-response operations across multiple facilities or jurisdictions, allocating resources and managing cross-functional teams.Policy and regulatory influence — represent the organization before regulatory bodies, contribute to rulemaking comment processes, and advise government agencies on emerging environmental health standards.Advanced technology adoption — evaluate, pilot, and institutionalize new analytical instrumentation, GIS platforms, and environmental software to enhance organizational detection capabilities and operational efficiency.Cross-disciplinary systems evaluation — lead organization-wide assessments that integrate chemistry, biology, engineering, and public health data to evaluate systemic environmental risk and inform long-range remediation investment.Workforce development and capability building — establish competency frameworks, training curricula, and mentorship pipelines that grow technical staff from entry level to senior expertise across environmental science functions.Executive-level reporting and communication — present environmental risk findings, program outcomes, and strategic recommendations to C-suite leadership, boards of directors, and legislative committees with authoritative clarity.Partnership and contract governance — negotiate and manage multi-stakeholder agreements with regulatory agencies, research institutions, and private clients to deliver large-scale environmental assessment and remediation projects.Ethical and public safety leadership — set and enforce organizational standards for integrity, cautiousness, and professional conduct in all environmental health and safety activities, ensuring protection of community and worker populations.
Also known as
216 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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