Environmental Engineering Technician

Environmental Engineering Technicians maintain, test and operate the equipment that is designed to clean up pollution in the environment. They do pollution surveys by collecting and analyzing samples taken from the ground air and water. They must keep complete and accurate records. The find the sources of environmental pollution and work to not only clean up the area but to fix the problem as well. And, among other things, they work with other agencies to have hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead removed and disposed of.

Environmental Engineering Technicians work on a team with other technicians under the direction of an Engineer. They must have excellent interpersonal skills to be able to work well with their team.

Environmental Engineering Technicians work with Engineers to create equipment and devices to quickly and completely clean up environmental pollution. They also make sure companies that are in charge of asbestos, lead and other hazardous materials are compliant with the current regulations.

Many Environmental Engineering Technicians work regular full-time hours in a laboratory. Some however may work outside, even in remote locations. Because of the nature of their jobs, Environmental Engineering Technicians will most-likely be exposed to hazardous or toxic materials. Proper gear should always be worn and appropriate safety precautions should always be followed to avoid any potential health hazards.

A student wanting to become an Environmental Engineering Technician should begin preparing in high school by taking as many science and math courses as they can. Environmental Engineering Technicians generally need to earn an associate’s degree in Environmental Engineering or a similar field. Certificates or diplomas can also be earned through a vocational or technical school. Some Environmental Engineering Technicians enter the workforce with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or Biology.

Environmental Engineering Technicians usually start out in an entry-level position working under an experienced technician or directly under an Environmental Engineer. As they gain experience and knowledge, they begin taking on more responsibility and might eventually become a supervisor themselves. Technicians that start out with Bachelor’s degrees can advance into an Engineering position.

According to a recent study produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Environmental Engineering Technicians earn between $28,500 and $77,000 per year. The median wage for this career field is about $45,000 per year.

The job outlook for Environmental Engineering Technicians is expected to rapidly increase over the next decade. It’s expected that local governments will begin focusing on using water efficiently as well as wastewater treatment. This will greatly increase the need for Environmental Engineering Technicians. They will continue to be needed to help water treatment facilities and utilities stay compliant with updated environmental laws and regulations.