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

Job Description

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. They also discuss test results and analyses with customers.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• Direct activities of workers in laboratory.

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

62% 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 Protection Technicians monitor emission control devices to ensure they are operating properly and comply with state and federal regulations. They maintain files, such as hazardous waste databases, chemical usage data, personnel exposure information, or diagrams showing equipment locations.

• Discuss test results and analyses with customers.
• Direct activities of workers in laboratory.
• Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.
• Examine and analyze material for presence and concentration of contaminants, such as asbestos, using variety of microscopes.
• 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.

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

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Environmental Protection Technicians also determine amounts and kinds of chemicals to use in destroying harmful organisms or removing impurities from purification systems. They may also discuss test results and analyses with customers.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Environmental Protection Technicians Distribute permits, closure plans, or cleanup plans. They might also Set up equipment or stations to monitor and collect pollutants from sites, such as smoke stacks, manufacturing plants, or mechanical equipment.

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

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.

To some Environmental Protection Technicians, it is also their responsibility to 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.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as a Health Environmental Science and Protection 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 working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also 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.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

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