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Environmental Technician ?

Job Title and Job Description

Environmental Technician ?

I work for an environmental services company, which has a contract to manage hazardous waste for a manufacturing company. We label and track and ship barrels of chemicals/waste and keep track of compliance with EPA regulations. ?

What are some related career opportunities and job titles in your company or in your career area?

Related jobs include: Field chemist * Biologist * Chemist * Geologist * Inspector * Civil Engineer. This field will be very hot in the coming decade as environmental standards become more rigorous.

What education or training did you have to prepare for this career?

I completed several certificates in environmental services before I started this job. The company is paying for me to attend additional training, and I am taking classes at night so that I can advance. ?

What education or training do you recommend for students today who want to enter this field?

I recommend starting by earning some certificates and then moving on to a 2- or 4-year degree program. I recommend the 40-hour OSHA training certificate, Confined Space Training, Field Chemist, DOT training on shipping hazardous materials, other courses.

When you were in high school, did you know that you would enter this field?

No. I entered this field after working in other jobs for several years.

Skills Profile

Skills UsedRating (5=Most Important thru
1=Not Important)		Comments
Artistic 1-Not Important? 
Athletic / Physical 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most ImportantPhysically demanding work. 
Bilingual 2-Less Important2-Less Important? 
Computer Technology 2-Less Important2-Less Important? 
Coordination / Using Hands, Tools, and Equipment 4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important? 
Creative Thinking 2-Less Important2-Less Important? 
Interpersonal 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important? 
Investigative / Fact Finding 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most ImportantOn some projects, must find out about hazardous materials 
leadership and Supervising 3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat ImportantThere are opportunities to become a supervisor 
Logical Thinking 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important? 
Math 3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important? 
Mechanical Understanding 3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important? 
Sales and Negotiation 2-Less Important2-Less Important? 
Scientific and Experimental 4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very ImportantSome projects require that technicians test soil or air samples 
Social Service / Helping Skills 2-Less Important2-Less Important? 
Teaching / Instructing 3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important? 
Verbal Communication 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most ImportantMust communicate with co-workers about projects 
Understanding Nature, Plants, Animals 3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important? 
Understanding Yourself 3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important? 
Writing 3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important? 
 

Interview By: JHL ?