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Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$54,000 Median Wage (2023)

1,200 Projected job openings (2023-2033)

2.30% Projected growth (2023-2033)

Apply theory and principles of environmental engineering to modify, test, and operate equipment and devices used in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental problems, including waste treatment and site remediation, under the direction of engineering staff or scientists. May assist in the development of environmental remediation devices.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree

Related Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Up to and including 1 month

On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

Detailed Work Activities

Investigate the environmental impact of projects.
Create models of engineering designs or methods.
Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
Maintain clean work areas.
Assess product or process usefulness.
Package materials for transport.
Monitor processes for compliance with standards.
Prepare contracts, disclosures, or applications.
Document design or operational test results.
Analyze test or validation data.
Collect samples of raw materials or finished products.
Maintain operational records or records systems.
Evaluate environmental impact of operational or development activities.
Monitor environmental conditions to detect hazards.
Evaluate designs or specifications to ensure quality.
Schedule operational activities.
Purchase materials, equipment, or other resources.
Dispose of hazardous materials.
Inspect facilities or sites to determine if they meet specifications or standards.
Provide technical guidance to other personnel.
Research engineering aspects of biological or chemical processes.
Supervise production or support personnel.
Prepare technical or operational reports.
Investigate system, equipment, or product failures.
Advise customers on the use of products or services.
Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.
Prepare detailed work plans.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

Maintain project logbook records or computer program files.
Record laboratory or field data, including numerical data, test results, photographs, or summaries of visual observations.
Perform environmental quality work in field or office settings.
Produce environmental assessment reports, tabulating data and preparing charts, graphs, or sketches.
Collect and analyze pollution samples, such as air or ground water.
Decontaminate or test field equipment used to clean or test pollutants from soil, air, or water.
Prepare and package environmental samples for shipping or testing.
Maintain process parameters and evaluate process anomalies.
Review technical documents to ensure completeness and conformance to requirements.
Receive, set up, test, or decontaminate equipment.
Prepare permit applications or review compliance with environmental permits.
Review work plans to schedule activities.
Assist in the cleanup of hazardous material spills.
Inspect facilities to monitor compliance with regulations governing substances, such as asbestos, lead, or wastewater.
Develop work plans, including writing specifications or establishing material, manpower, or facilities needs.
Perform statistical analysis and correction of air or water pollution data submitted by industry or other agencies.
Arrange for the disposal of lead, asbestos, or other hazardous materials.
Evaluate and select technologies to clean up polluted sites, restore polluted air, water, or soil, or rehabilitate degraded ecosystems.
Assess the ability of environments to naturally remove or reduce conventional or emerging contaminants from air, water, or soil.
Work with customers to assess the environmental impact of proposed construction or to develop pollution prevention programs.
Provide technical engineering support in the planning of projects, such as wastewater treatment plants, to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and policies.
Model biological, chemical, or physical treatment processes to remove or degrade pollutants.
Oversee support staff.
Create models to demonstrate or predict the process by which pollutants move through or impact an environment.
Improve chemical processes to reduce toxic emissions.
Obtain product information, identify vendors or suppliers, or order materials or equipment to maintain inventory.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 28.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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