Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
Also known as: Air Analyst, Air Pollution Auditor, Air Quality Technician (Air Quality Tech) (+71 more)
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.
Take the free 15-minute assessment to compare this role with your profile, your current fit, and nearby alternatives
What You'll Do
- Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
- Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
- 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.
- Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.
- Make recommendations to control or eliminate unsafe conditions at workplaces or public facilities.
- Inspect sanitary conditions at public facilities.
- Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
- Calculate amount of pollutant in samples or compute air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes, using chemical and mathematical formulas.
- Initiate procedures to close down or fine establishments violating environmental or health regulations.
- Determine amounts and kinds of chemicals to use in destroying harmful organisms or removing impurities from purification systems.
Essential Skills
Career Fit Overview
Use this summary to understand the kind of profile this role rewards. It helps you judge whether this career looks like a stronger match than your current role, a nearby move worth exploring, or a broader path to compare more seriously.
Top passions
- Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
- Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
- Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
Common styles
Attention to Detail, Dependability, Cautiousness, Integrity, Intellectual Curiosity
Want a personal read on fit? Take the free assessment and compare this career to your current role, nearby alternatives, and broader stronger-fit options.
Key Abilities
This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:
Technologies & Tools
Work Environment & Strengths
Common Strengths for This Career
- Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.8/5)
- Dependability (High importance: 4.73/5)
- Cautiousness (High importance: 4.52/5)
- Integrity (High importance: 4.4/5)
- Intellectual Curiosity (High importance: 4.24/5)
Want to see how YOUR strengths align with this career?
Take Free 15-Min Assessment →How to Become One
Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Some positions may also require experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level work to strengthen your candidacy.
Similar Careers to Explore
Biological Technicians
99.9% similar profile
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
99.8% similar profile
Cytogenetic Technologists
99.8% similar profile
Cytotechnologists
99.8% similar profile
Chemical Technicians
99.7% similar profile
Geodetic Surveyors
99.6% similar profile
Computer Hardware Engineers
99.6% similar profile
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
99.6% similar profile
Also Known As
This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:
Career Fit FAQs
Is this career a good fit for me
This page shows the role itself. To see personal fit, use the assessment to compare your interests, motivations, and strengths against this career and against the role you are in now.
Can this help if I want to stay in my field
Yes. Many people use career pages like this to compare nearby roles in the same field and see whether they need a full switch or a better-fit version of the work they already know.
What should I compare first
Start with the daily tasks, the preparation level, and the work-style signals on this page. Then use the assessment to see whether this role looks like a stronger fit than your current role or just a different title.
Ready to Compare This Career to Your Profile?
Use the assessment to compare your current role, inspect nearby options, and see whether this career is a stronger fit for how you work.
Take Free Assessment (15 min) →