What Do Environmental Engineering Technicians Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Environmental Engineering Technicians 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 scientist. May assist in the development of environmental remediation devices. They also assist in the cleanup of hazardous material spills.

Other tasks include:

• 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.

We asked Environmental Engineering Technicians how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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70% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 60% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Environmental Engineering Technicians perform environmental quality work in field or office settings. They maintain project logbook records or computer program files.

A typical day for an Environmental Engineering Technician will also include:

• Improve chemical processes to reduce toxic emissions.
• Review work plans to schedule activities.
• Maintain process parameters and evaluate process anomalies.
• Oversee support staff.
• Decontaminate or test field equipment used to clean or test pollutants from soil, air, or water.

We asked some Environmental Engineering Technicians a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	59% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	41% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	80% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	31% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	5% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	16% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Environmental Engineering Technicians also maintain process parameters and evaluate process anomalies. They may also obtain product information, identify vendors or suppliers, or order materials or equipment to maintain inventory.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Environmental Engineering Technicians Inspect facilities to monitor compliance with regulations governing substances, such as asbestos, lead, or wastewater. They might also Perform statistical analysis and correction of air or water pollution data submitted by industry or other agencies.

In addition, they Prepare permit applications or review compliance with environmental permits.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Oversee support staff.

To some Environmental Engineering Technicians, it is also their responsibility to Produce environmental assessment reports, tabulating data and preparing charts, graphs, or sketches.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Environmental Engineering Technician, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/architecture-and-engineering/environmental-engineering-technicians.htm

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