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Prev.: Environmental
Sciences: More Job and Career Suggestions
Your mailbox is packed with a few advertisements, a friendly reminder from
the Department of Campus Safety to pay a parking ticket, a note from Mom accompanied
by a check, and something you’ve really been waiting for, a reply from a potential
employer in response to myriad letters of interest and résumés that you’ve
sent out over the past few months. This one is different, though. An environmental consulting firm wants you to inter view at their facility. Your hands are shaking as you peruse the page and realize that they will fly you to their office in St. Louis, show you their facilities, let you observe the lab routine, and have you accompany a team to a local site to observe field procedures. This is the payoff after four years of tough chemistry, math, geology, and biology classes; tons of homework; countless hours in labs; uncountable lab and field reports; and weekends spent off cam pus on field trips. You have every right to be excited because this is your first step toward beginning an exciting and useful career! The environmental technology career path describes jobs that are more technical in nature than the environmental education or environmental poi icy, planning, and management, and even the environmental science career paths. An individual pursuing a career in environmental technology can pre sent any one of a number of relevant degrees as an educational credential, but a certain core of knowledge will be required. Environmental Technology: Definition of the Career Path Environmental technologists support the work of environmental engineers, environmental biologists, and environmental planners in a variety of settings. They often begin their careers performing routine laboratory and field data- gathering tasks. Later, with experience, they move up the ladder into more demanding positions, which have broader responsibilities and more diverse assignments. Job settings in this category range widely, from those where most work is done in the laboratory to those where most of the work is performed out side. Some jobs would entail both gathering and processing samples. Tasks might range from soil and water field sampling to lab testing of various types of materials. Some jobs would involve the collection of hazardous materials and their testing for concentrations of toxic substances. Others involve sampling and testing of materials at construction sites to ensure that soil and bedrock can support loads. Another example might be that of collecting air samples at a site where a building is being remodeled. Tests could reveal the presence of lead or asbestos, both very undesirable materials. Others are focused in the biologic arena, where field identification, recording, and testing of organisms is the most important task. Other environmental technologists sample emissions from industrial stacks in the field and determine in the lab the air quality of such emissions. Many government agencies, notably the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), employ large numbers of these field and lab technicians. Addition ally, many environmental technologists are employed at the state level. and government entities as small as municipalities also have a need for these workers at water or waste disposal treatment plants. Environmental consulting firms both small and large employ people with environmental technology skills. These consulting firms sometimes rely on outside, independent labs to test their samples instead of performing analyses in-house. Therefore, independent testing labs too are a source of jobs. Some larger nonprofit organizations hire environmental technicians for their staffs. Finally, chemical and other manufacturers also hire environmental technicians. Skills Essential for Environmental Technologists This career path covers a broad range of jobs, so the skill set that employers might require is equally diverse. There is, however, a core set of skills and experience that is needed. Before we go into detail, let’s look at several recent job listings.
What do all of these jobs have in common? Each advertisement emphasizes field data gathering, laboratory testing, and the processing of the results. Employers may sponsor your completion of courses such as the OSHA certification course in order to complete certain tasks. There is some reference to presentation of these data in written form and the ability to communicate with teammates and clients. These sorts of jobs emphasize the technical aspects of the environmental sciences and place much less emphasis on those communication skills than we have encountered in each of the other environmental studies career paths. There is less expectation for report writing and presentations to various sorts of groups. But, writing and communication skills are required to a degree and enhancing your communications experience might assist you in advancement to more highly paid positions. But not all job descriptions in this category involve merely gathering, processing, and analyzing samples. Additional skills are sometimes required. Let’s examine two job listings that call for additional capabilities.
In both jobs, a broad range of skills and expectations are emphasized. Obviously, the person who lands this type of job is going to be outdoors and doing hands-on work, but she or he will also be assembling reports, analyzing data, and working with clients, too. GIS, Cartography, GPS, and Remote Sensing Technicians We also place those trained in geographic information systems (GIS), cartography, global positioning systems (GPS), and remote sensing in the environmental technology career path. The following are typical ads for graduates who have training in these areas.
Working Conditions Environmental technicians perform a vital role in the organization with which they are affiliated. Without their contribution, there would be no hard data upon which administrative decisions could be made. However, many of these positions are challenging jobs, and challenging in a number of different ways. Let’s examine some of these challenges. Travel Travel is required of many environmental technicians. Field sampling requires site visits, for example, visits to locations in need of remediation. Data must be collected for testing at construction sites, and projects involving water quality require on-site collection of water samples. Consulting firms often are called on to install monitoring wells at compromised sites. Water and gas samples must be continually collected, requiring visits and revisits. Guess who will perform most of the data gathering. Will it be the supervisor with four teen years of experience? Will it be the owner of the firm? Not likely. The environmental technician, you, will be doing a lot of field travel. Sometimes these sites are within a short drive, while other jobs require air travel to distant destinations and involve overnight stays away from home. This is the reality of entry-level positions. You will have to decide if extensive travel fits into your lifestyle. Some people welcome the opportunity to travel extensively, while others have no interest at all. Keep this in mind as you review job listings. Routines and Repetition Some people love knowing exactly how their day will play out, while others look forward to facing the unknown each day. A number of laboratory personnel perform repetitive analytical tasks. Sometimes, especially since much of this analysis is automated today, these tasks are mechanical and redundant. GIS can also be tedious. Make a conscious decision about whether you are the right kind of person to undertake lab work. Keep in mind, though, that lab training can be an important stepping-stone. As a trained environ mental scientist, you will have opportunities to move up and out of the lab and into other kinds of work if you want to. This lab work can be viewed as a period in which you gather experience and learn the ins and outs of the institution where you work. Hazardous Materials For some people, an especially challenging aspect of this profession is reconciling working with hazardous materials. Some positions require that the worker come into contact with all sorts of “nasty” substances, such as synthetic organic chemicals, hydrocarbons, inorganic chemicals, pathogens, and radio-nuclides. This is just a sampling of the environmental “beasts” residing in surface water, groundwater, and soils. Many advertisements for job openings that we encountered refer to removal of petroleum wastes and asbestos, for example. But many other toxins are out there. In a textbook that focuses on contaminant hydrogeology, for instance, a table in section 1 that lists possible toxic substances in groundwater continues for eight full pages! Of course, if you are expected to deal with these materials, you will be given training in proper handling, be provided with appropriate equipment to ensure that you avoid direct contact, and be closely supervised, at least initially. Each environmental technology position requires you to complete challenging tasks and provide real solutions to important environmental problems. In some of these jobs, you will be making a significant contribution to environmental cleanup, safety, and awareness. Society in the twenty-first century depends on people like you to work in this arena! Training and Qualifications Because the types of jobs that fall into the environmental technician career path are so varied, training and qualifications vary correspondingly. The basic educational requirement is a Bachelor of Science degree. If you have a degree in chemistry, microbiology, vertebrate or invertebrate biology, botany, hydrology, soil science, earth science, ecology, geology, geography, forestry, or fisheries and wildlife, just to name a few, you can consider a career in environmental technology. For those who didn’t major in chemistry, chemistry course work is a must for some of these positions. Additionally, a solid core of physics and math courses will be required for many of these positions. For those interested in GIS careers or remote sensing, course work in these areas is essential. What common demands are made of students who graduate in these majors? They have to identify and classify; understand laboratory procedures and instruments; be knowledgeable about field techniques; be conversant in research design, sampling, and statistics; understand data-processing techniques; be familiar with a range of computer hardware and software; and possibly possess a working knowledge of other instrumentation. Field and Lab Procedures and Equipment Some lab and field technicians identify and classify organisms down to the species level. Others, such as soil scientists, learn to identify soil textures in the field and determine bulk density of soils, moisture content, and fertility in the lab. Both of these jobs require that the worker be comfortable and familiar with quite a number of laboratory procedures and instruments. Geologists have very similar demands made of them. They take a number of chemistry classes, learn laboratory and field sampling and data-processing techniques, and become familiar with the operation of a variety of instruments. Fisheries and wildlife majors develop strong laboratory and field data collection skills. They are also prepared to operate a plethora of instruments and computer software packages. The point is that students in many of these environmental disciplines receive training and gain experience in a variety of skill areas. You may not have become comfortable with each and every lab technique and instrument and every field procedure, but you were introduced to the basic concepts and you were taught how to learn. Many skills that you picked up are transferable; you can take a technique that you learned in one area and slightly modify it to be appropriate for another instrument or procedure. You can apply this ability to learn to any situation! Math, Chemistry, and Computer Software and Hardware Quite a few opportunities require that candidates have strong backgrounds in math and chemistry and some experience in computer science. Soil scientists, geologists, geo-morphologists, fisheries and wildlife majors, and for esters all have taken a number of courses in chemistry, math, and computer science and have the basic preparation for many of these environmental technician job opportunities. Research Design, Sampling, and Statistics You might be asked to assist in research design, including determining sampling methodologies and statistical treatments of the data that were gathered for a project. For example, you could participate in a project that focuses on biodiversity in the watershed of a small glacial lake in northern Wisconsin. A solid background in statistics would be a very valuable asset to an employer that undertakes work like this. Not only will you be prepared to choose the statistical treatment for this project’s data, but also you will know how to interpret the data and draw conclusions from your interpretation. Computer Hardware and Software The need for computer skills in the area of environmental studies almost goes without saying. At a very basic level, you must be comfortable with a significant number of software programs including word processing, spread sheets, and databases. Some jobs will require additional software knowledge, including GIS software. The candidates with strong skills in these areas will have a greater variety of jobs to choose from. Field Techniques Many environmental technician jobs require fieldwork. Completion of field work requires you to be physically able to complete the task. Some jobs may involve hiking long distances over rough terrain. Others involve fieldwork in exposed settings such as in the hot sun or the bitter cold. You must be pre pared to undertake field visits during adverse weather, and you might be required to spend long days in the field. Jobs involving fieldwork may begin at any time of year and have dead lines that require site visits under less than ideal conditions. Fieldwork is expensive for the employer. Therefore, it must be completed efficiently and quickly. Travel to and from remediation sites or data-gathering locales requires lots of commuting time, overnight stays, and meals away from home. If you love being outdoors, then assignments such as these will not be a problem for you. Just be sure that you have a clear understanding of the demands of the job. Some Jobs Are Not for the Faint of Heart Aside from a B.S. degree that includes chemistry course work and training in lab and field data gathering, sampling techniques, statistical analysis, GIS, and remote sensing, quite a number of the job opportunities in this career path require training in the handling of hazardous materials. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires a forty-hour training class that prepares graduates for treatment, disposal, storage, and emergency responses involving hazardous materials. This course is called Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, also known as the forty-hour HAZWOPER. Students learn the proper selection and use of protective gear, hazard assessment techniques, principles of air monitoring, steps for site decontamination, properties of hazardous materials, planning for response, regulations, and permitting. This course is available at a number of locations; several universities offer this training, as do private companies that specialize in similar training pro grams. Some employers expect that you’ve already received this instruction, but others will enroll you as part of the on-the-job training process. The point of this discussion is twofold: first, that you might be expected to have or develop these skills, and second, that you might be in a situation to need them. Some jobs have an expectation that you will be exposed to or will be handling various sorts of hazardous materials, including nuclear materials. Completion of HAZWOPER training and eight-hour updates over time is a valuable addition to your skills package. You will be worth more to your employer and future employers if you have a solid understanding of how toxic substances behave in the environment and the proper means of their handling and disposal. This training is a significant asset to many people working in the environmental studies fields. It is also valuable on a personal level because you will be able to work on environmental problems with the confidence that you know the proper procedures and behaviors around such materials. The following two job advertisements require HAZWOPER and similar training.
Earnings Environmental technicians work for government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels; environmental consulting firms; independent testing laboratories; nonprofit organizations; and manufacturers. Salary information for federal and state government positions is usually posted in the job advertisement. Federal workers employed at the General Schedule (GS) 5-7 level can expect a starting salary in the range of $25,623 to $31,740, although GS pay is adjusted geographically and the majority of jobs pay a higher salary. State job salaries for similar job titles will vary by region. A recently advertised environmental specialist I job in Colorado had a starting salary of $34,285 to $38,080, while a similar environmental scientist I position in Alabama would pay $31,646 to $35,725 to start. Local government starting salaries will vary by the size of the governmental unit. For example, the City of Miami, Florida, would offer a starting salary very similar to a state government position, while a much smaller local government would start you at a salary as low as $25,500. Independent testing labs tend to offer modest salaries starting at $25,000. The reason: some environmental lab technician jobs are advertised as requiring only an associate of science degree. This degree, though exceedingly useful, is vocational. As a result of enhanced technology, some of the thought process involved in testing is now automated. Some testing systems require minimal sample preparation, and a printout showing the results is given to an environmental scientist for interpretation. Don’t overlook these tech jobs. They can be a great way to begin a career. Once you’ve gotten into the lab, you will show employers that you offer a wider range of skills than those individuals who possess an associate’s degree. Rather quickly you will be called on to undertake more challenging work that has a higher level of pay associated with it. Environmental consulting firms offer starting salaries ranging from about $25,000 to $40,000. For example, a firm in Southern California advertised a position for a wetland biologist at $39,900. Nonprofit organizations are most likely to provide the lowest salaries. The larger the nonprofit, though, the better your chances are for a higher salary in this sector. If you are interested in working for a smaller nonprofit, you can expect to start in the low to mid $20,000s. These organizations count on their low salaries being offset by providing workers the opportunity to make a difference in the earth’s environment. Manufacturers that hire environmental technicians who hold a bachelor’s degree in chemistry start these workers at approximately $34,500. One of the many useful salary websites is http://cbsalary.com. The site allows you to select a position title and geographic region, and an average salary figure will be calculated. Remember, though, these are average salaries for all workers with the given job title, not starting salaries. You can expect to earn something less than the low-end salary figure shown. You can also link to related salary surveys, but often these are one to three years old. At the time of publication a soil conservation technician in the Columbus, Ohio, region, for example, would expect to earn something less than $32,250, whereas in San Francisco that position would pay about $35,000. Career Outlook The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, reports that employment of science technicians, including environmental technicians, is expected to grow more rapidly than average through the year 2014. More attention is being given to the environment by the public, and this trend is expected to continue. Large private firms hire approximately 20 percent of environmental technicians, and the level of business for these firms is based on federal and state regulations as well as industry efforts for gains in efficiency. The following section highlights some actions you can take that will ensure you’ll be in the running for environmental technology jobs. Strategy for Finding the Job You can undertake six key tactics to be successful in your job search. They include knowing the laws and regulations that will guide your work, getting job-related experience, achieving HAZWOPER certification, generalizing your lab training, developing software proficiencies, and enhancing your communication skills. Be Knowledgeable About Environmental Laws and Regulations Although the activities of this sector of the economy are transitioning from reacting to laws and regulations that force cleanup, remediation, and prevention to proactively increasing operational efficiency, you’ll need to know about the laws currently in place that affect the kind of work you want to do. Your course work provided an introduction to this subject, but you’ll want to be well versed in it. Knowledge of various regulations was specifically mentioned in some job advertisements. Some of these regulations, such as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Clean Air Act, the Worker’s Right to Know Law, and the Toxic Substances Control Act, may have been covered in courses you completed. But there are many, many more regs to know about. A good place to start learning is the Environmental Protection Agency’s website (epa.gov). and be sure to read professional journals related to the specific area you’re interested in (air, water, hazardous materials, and so forth) so that your knowledge is current and you’re ready to speak knowledgeably during the interview process. The Professional Associations section of this section highlights many relevant journals. Gain Environmental Technician Job Experience While writing this guide we found many, many summer job listings that were perfect résumé builders. One job was advertised by a consulting firm that was conducting wetland delineations and botanic and exotic species surveys. They were looking for someone to work in Florida. Another position involved collecting point data in a national forest in Idaho. Technicians who hiked trails and bushwhacked through the woods located stock watering troughs in remote areas. The exact location of the hydrologic point was determined with GPS and recorded. Back at the lab, these data were downloaded into a large database. If you want to be competitive in the marketplace when you graduate, you should plan to spend at least one summer in a “résumé-building” job. Utilize the resources listed throughout this section to find the kind of summer job that will help you gain the experience you need to get the job you want. HAZWOPER Certification: A Bonus for You and Employers HAZWOPER stands for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires a forty-hour training session for anyone working at treatment, storage, and disposal facilities and at hazardous waste cleanup sites. The training is also required for those persons responding to emergencies involving hazardous materials. Course content includes an overview of federal regulations, toxicology, hazard communication, site management, air monitoring, site characterization, operating procedures, safety, spill cleanup, and more. Many position listings require this training. The course is offered at colleges and universities across the country and through private companies whose mission is to deliver health and safety training programs. You can access dates and locations of these offerings on the Internet by searching for HAZ WOPER training courses. Emphasize Your Lab Capabilities In your lab courses you learned how to use various instruments and equipment to process and complete certain tests. Employers are likely to have more up-to-date labs than those you learned in. They will also require the use of equipment you’ve never seen before. So be sure to highlight your ability to adapt to new situations and quickly master the use of equipment. You can communicate this in your cover letter and résumé and also during interviews. Increase Your Experience with Software Employers expect their workers, irrespective of job title or position within the organization, to know how to use e-mail, word-processing, spreadsheet, database, and Internet navigation software. If you did not learn to use all these types of software while obtaining your degree, be sure to take a short course and learn how to use them now. Improve Written and Verbal Communication Skills Whenever you have an opportunity to enhance your communication skills, either in your course work or on the job, take advantage of it. These skills are important as you embark on the job search and again as you begin your career in environmental technology. As has been mentioned, you will face competition for these types of jobs. Candidates who are most effective at communicating their knowledge, abilities, and skills will be given more serious consideration than those who are not as practiced. Many of the job listings we reviewed specifically mentioned the need for communication skills. Just a sampling includes interacting with coworkers, clients, or customers; working in a team environment; writing reports based on findings; or training applications users. Even environmental technicians need to have skills in these areas, especially if advancement is important to you! Possible Employers Governments (federal, state, and local), consulting firms, independent testing labs, nonprofit organizations, and manufacturers are the primary employers of environmental technicians. A profile and tips for finding job listings are shown for each category of employer. Federal Government Quite a few federal agencies hire environmental technicians, but look through all the various federal job titles even if the words environmental technician are not given. Related job titles include biological sciences environmental manager, environmental scientist, environmental protection specialist, environmental resource specialist, and physical science technician. Agencies to investigate include Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of Energy, Department of the Interior, Department of Defense, Environmental Protection Agency, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, Geological Survey, Minerals Management Service, National Park Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement. How to Locate These Employers. The best way to find out about openings with the federal government is to go online and look at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s current job openings site (usajobs.opm.gov). You can review job listings by state or by category. When you examine the categories, think broadly because you may be qualified for a number of jobs in several categories. For example, positions such as park rangers and recreation leaders, for which graduates in environmental studies would qualify, were listed under the “Safety, Health, and Resource Protection” group. Addition ally, hydrologic technician jobs were listed under “Physical Sciences,” and soil technician and soil conservationist posts were listed under “Biological Sciences.” State Government Select state government agencies hire environmental technicians. Among the agencies that had posted job openings at the time this guide was written were the Massachusetts Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, the Oregon Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, the Connecticut Department of Environ mental Protection, and many others. How to Locate These Employers. State government job listings can be found on official state websites and in larger newspapers published in a given state, such as the Denver Post (denverpost.com), the Boston Globe (boston.com), or the Chicago Tribune (chicagotribune.com). State employment offices will also have job listings posted on-site. State governments may also advertise jobs with select professional associations, so reviewing their websites and professional journals will reveal additional jobs. The American Institute of Professional Geologists (aipg.org) and the American Water Resources Association (awra.org) may post state government jobs. Local Government Local governments operate water treatment plants, solid and liquid waste disposal facilities, and recycling centers. As a result, facilities such as these require employees with a comprehensive understanding of the water treatment and wastewater disposal process as well as techniques involved in recycling of all sorts of materials discarded by society. Additionally, municipalities require people trained in health and safety and air and water sampling. How to Locate These Employers. Some local governments are very large while many are fairly small. The City of Detroit, Michigan, would advertise much differently than Plymouth, New Hampshire. Detroit maintains a web site and lists jobs there, in addition to advertising in the area’s large metropolitan newspapers. On the other hand, Plymouth might advertise in a regional paper that is published once a week. Start your search by getting on the Internet and looking for websites for the local governments for whom you’d like to work. If you don’t find job listings there, contact the local governmental unit directly to find out how and where it advertises open positions. The American Water Works Association (awwa.org) as well as other professional associations post links to hundreds of jobs, including local government jobs, along with career advice. Consulting Firms Environmental technicians work for environmental services firms, hazardous materials consulting firms, environmental consulting firms, and special disposal consulting firms, just to name a few. These consulting firms work with clients doing business in various sectors of the economy, including waste management, information technology, soil and groundwater, and health and safety. Some of the job titles you’ll see advertised include environmental field technician, OS HA technician, engineering technician, environmental technician, air-monitoring field technician, aquatic technician, entry-level geologist, geotechnician, air- and ground-sampling technician, soils technician, hydrologic technician, and environmental scientist. Be sure to review the complete list of job titles shown later in this section. If this sector of the economy or this type of job interests you, keep reading! How to Locate These Employers. Careerbuilder.com is a good place to start. Search under entry level. We found in excess of one thousand jobs posted there. Even a general search on a popular search engine using the keywords environmental technician identified consulting firm jobs in Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, just to name a few. Be sure to look at the list of professional associations at the end of the section for other sites that include job postings. Independent Testing Laboratories If you are interested in working indoors in a laboratory, this is the type of employer you will want to investigate. If you’re interested in wet chemistry procedures, x-ray diffraction systems, fiber microscopy, organics prep, semi volatiles analyses, GC/MS (gas chromatography/mass selective) instrumentation, ICP (inductively coupled plasma) spectrometry, GFAA (graphite furnace atomic absorption) spectrometry, FLAA (flame atomic absorption) spectrometry, CV (cold vapor) technologies, or analysis of organic compounds, these are just a few of the many activities undertaken by testing labs. How to Locate These Employers. The American Society for Testing and Materials (astm.org) has an online listing of testing labs organized by geo graphic region and subject area. Some subject areas that may be of interest are biological, chemical, and geotechnical; nondestructive evaluation; and surface analysis testing. More than 250 labs were found for the keyword environment. You can link to these companies’ websites, and many of them list job openings and internship opportunities. A general Internet search using the keywords environmental testing laboratories resulted in more than a mil lion hits. After reviewing the first one hundred entries, this search was considered a successful effort in identifying potential employer websites. Nonprofit Organizations Imagine working as an ecosystem metabolism research technician collecting algae samples for a water research center. Or being employed by a national nonprofit organization as an environmental database developer. Or finding a job as a research assistant for a natural history area. These are just some of the many jobs available in the nonprofit sector. How to Locate These Employers. The Water Environment Federation (wef.org) website links to dozens of job listings. You may also review The ECO Guide to Careers that Make a Difference: Environmental Work for a Sustainable World, published by Environmental Careers Organization. It describes careers in fishery and wildlife management; parks and outdoor recreation; air- and water-quality management; education and communications; hazardous waste management; land and water conservation; solid waste management; and forestry, planning, and energy. Manufacturers Most environmental technicians working in manufacturing are employed in the chemical industry. Their work can involve testing packaging to ensure safe transport to market. They can also ensure the integrity of the chemicals that are manufactured and help determine the environmental accept ability of chemical products. How to Locate These Employers. Several resources that you will find in your college or local library include Standard and Poor Industry Surveys, Moody Industrial Manual, and Ward Business Directory. Use these references to identify companies that manufacture chemicals, and then review those companies’ websites. If you don’t find job vacancies listed online, contact the companies using the information provided in the printed references or online. Two other websites will be useful as you look for environmental technician positions with chemical manufacturers. The American Chemistry Council (americanchemistrycouncil.com) site has information about employment in their industry, as does the American Chemical Society (acs.org). Both the Air and Waste Management Association (awma.org) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (cdc.gov/niosh) have career centers. These are but a handful of the organizations that can help steer you toward your first career position. Possible Job Titles Usually you will find the word technician in the position title for jobs associated with this career path. Don’t let that be your sole guide, though. Read through the job duties and you’ll see that environmental technicians are also called scientists, researchers, officers, analysts, and more. The list shown below is a good guide as you begin your search.
Related Occupations Other positions that are practically oriented and that use scientific theories and principles as well as mathematics to solve problems are shown below. Add to the list as you work through your job search.
Professional Associations Several associations are described here, and each has something to offer those seeking work in environmental technology. Read on to find out where you can get more information for the type of work you would like to do. Air and Waste Management Association One Gateway Center, Third Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222 awma.org; info@awma.org Members/Purpose: A nonprofit, nonpartisan professional organization that provides training, information, and networking opportunities to twelve thousand environmental professionals in sixty-five countries. The association’s goals are to strengthen the environmental profession, expand scientific and technological responses to environmental concerns, and assist professionals in critical environmental decision making to benefit society Training: Offers conferences, workshops, and continuing education courses Journals/Publications: The Journal of the Air and W’ Management Association; EM, a Magazine for Environmental Managers; A&WMA News Job Listings: Jobs are posted online, but only association members can access them American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) 5301 Buckeystown Pike, Suite 350 Frederick, MD 21704 Members/Purpose: Individuals, institutions, and corporations interested in achieving customer satisfaction through meeting the needs of both laboratories and their users for competent testing; improving the quality of laboratories and the test data they produce; and increasing acceptance of accredited laboratory test data to facilitate trade Training: Offers periodic public training courses Journals/Publications: A2LA News periodic newsletter; annual report; membership directory Job Listings: Links to accredited labs’ websites, including environmental labs; some websites list job openings. 1155 Sixteenth St. NW Washington, DC 20036 Members/Purpose: Individual membership organization; provides a broad range of opportunities for peer interaction and career development Training: Hosts meetings and advertises training opportunities; website offers comprehensive career information Journals/Publications: Publishes a large number of journals and magazines Job Listings: Available on their website to members. American Indoor Air Quality Council P.O. Box 11599 Glendale, AZ 853 18-1599 http://iaqcouncil.org; info@iaqcouncil.org Members/Purpose: A nonprofit association for indoor air quality professionals and technicians. The council promotes awareness, education, and certification in the field of indoor air quality through sharing, learning, and networking Training: None Journals/Publications: None Job Listings: Lists job openings on their website. American Institute of Professional Geologists 8703 Yates Dr., Suite 200 Westminster, CO 80031 aipg@aipg.org Members/Purpose: Professional geologists and academics. Purpose is to support working geologists, be an advocate, and provide professional certification Training: Annual meeting, workshops Journals/Publications: The Professional Geologist; various handbooks and brochures Job Listings: Listings available online for members. American Society for Testing and Materials 100 Barr Harbor Dr. West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959 Members/Purpose: Develops and provides voluntary consensus standards, related technical information, and services having internationally recognized quality and applicability that (1) promote public health and safety, and the overall quality of life; (2) contribute to the reliability of materials, products, systems, and services; and (3) facilitate national, regional, and international commerce Training: Offers continuing environmental technical education programs for industry and government Journals/Publications: Cement, Concrete &Aggregates; Geotechnical Testing Journal; Journal of Composites Technology and Research; Journal of Forensic Sciences; Journal of Testing and Evaluation; Standardization News (monthly); Annual Book of ASTM Standards Job Listings: Links to hundreds of labs and consulting firms that list jobs and internships online. American Water Resources Association 4 W. Federal St. P0. Box 1626 Middleburg, VA 20118-1626 info@awra.org Members/Purpose: Individuals, corporations, universities, government agencies, and nonprofit institutions interested in any aspect of water resources Training: Offers conferences, symposia, and short courses Journals/Publications: Journal of the American W Resources Association; Impact magazine Job Listings: Links to almost one hundred job listings American Water Works Association 6666 W. Quincy Ave. Denver, CO 80235 e-mail for various individuals available at website Members/Purpose: Individuals, environmentalists, plant operators, manufacturers, academics interested in the improvement of water supply quality and quantity Training: Offers publications, online resources, and symposia Journals/Publications: Journal of the American Water Works Association; MainStream; Opflow; Waterweek Job Listings: Links to hundreds of jobs online. Association for Environmental Health and Sciences 150 Fearing St. Amherst, MA 01002 aehs.com; info@aehs.com Members/Purpose: Professionals concerned with the challenge of soil protection and cleanup; facilitates communication and fosters cooperation Training: None Journals/Publications: Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal; International Journal of Phyto-remediation; Human and Ecological Risk Assessment; Environmental Forensics; The Iv Newsletter Job Listings: None Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists P.O. Box 460518 Denver, CO 80246 aegweb.org Members/Purpose: Academics, students, engineering professionals; provides leadership in the development and application of geologic principles to problems of remediation, city planning, and natural hazard risk reduction Training: Annual meetings, symposia Journals/Publications: Environmental and Engineering Geosciences; AEG News; symposia proceedings; books; online publications Job Listings: Listings available online for members Institute of Hazardous Materials Management 11900 Parklawn Dr., Suite 450 Rockville, MD 20852 ihmm.org; ihminfo@ihmm.org Members/Purpose: Professional hazardous waste handling firms; purpose is to certify hazardous waste managers Training: Offers accredited training for certified hazardous materials manager Journals/Publications: Handbook on Hazardous Materials Management Job Listings: None. National Ground Water Association 601 Dempsey Rd. Westerville, OH 43081 ngwa.org; ngwa@ngwa.org Members/Purpose: To provide and protect our groundwater resource Training: Numerous conferences, many custom training opportunities, safety courses, lecture series Journals/Publications: Ground Water; Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation; Water Well Journal; numerous handbooks Job Listings: Online links. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) 1010 N. Twelfth Ave. Pensacola, FL 32501-3307 setac.org; setac@setac.org Members/Purpose: Academics, professionals in business and government; purpose is to provide a forum for discussion of environmental issues Training: Annual meeting Journals/Publications: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry; SE TAG Globe Newsletter; many books and technical papers Job Listings: Online links. Water Environment Federation 601 Wythe St. Alexandria, VA 223 14-1994 wef.org; e-mail for various branches and individuals available online Members/Purpose: Various water professionals. Purpose is to preserve and enhance the global water environment. Training: Numerous conferences and workshops. Journals/Publications: Water Environment and Technology; Water Environment Federation Industrial Wastewater; Water Environment Federation Research; Water Environment Federation Reporter; Utility Executive; Water Environment Regulations Watch; Watershed and Wet Weather; Water Environment Federation Highlights; technical bulletins and books. Job Listings: Online links to dozens of job listings. Prev.: Environmental
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