What Is an Environmental Field Technician and How to Become One
Table of Contents
What Is the Job Description of an Environmental Field Technician?
An environmental field technician works as part of a team of environmental scientists to monitor the water and soil for sources of pollution. Your responsibilities in this career include a variety of testing procedures that may involve anything from collecting samples to measuring emission levels. You may work with local or state governments to ensure compliance with environmental regulations by businesses and new construction. You can also find work as an environmental field technician with consulting firms that carry out testing and reduce environmental contamination as a third party entity. While you do much of your work in the field, you may also work in a laboratory where you perform analyses of samples and write up a report.
How Do You Become an Environmental Field Technician?
Qualifications for a career as an environmental field technician include an associate’s degree in environmental science or a related field, although some positions require a bachelor’s degree. The nature of the job is diverse, making additional coursework in geology, environmental health, and biology desirable. Some positions require expertise in other technologies, such as geographic information systems (GIS). You may also need training for hazardous material handling and safety procedures, depending on your duties. Strong analytical skills are imperative in the field. A successful environmental field technician also possesses excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
