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Alabama Department of Labor

Labor Market Information Division
SOC: 19-4091 Environmental Science and Protection Technicians,
Performs laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health. Under direction of an environmental scientist or specialist, may collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing and take corrective actions as assigned.
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Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
OJT: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Tasks: Discuss test results and analyses with customers. 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. Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution. Monitor emission control devices to ensure they are operating properly and comply with state and federal regulations. Inspect sanitary conditions at public facilities. Examine and analyze material for presence and concentration of contaminants, such as asbestos, using variety of microscopes. Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards. Develop or implement site recycling or hazardous waste stream programs. Perform statistical analysis of environmental data. Analyze potential environmental impacts of production process changes and recommend steps to mitigate negative impacts. Set up equipment or stations to monitor and collect pollutants from sites, such as smoke stacks, manufacturing plants, or mechanical equipment. Make recommendations to control or eliminate unsafe conditions at workplaces or public facilities. Distribute permits, closure plans, or cleanup plans. Maintain files, such as hazardous waste databases, chemical usage data, personnel exposure information, or diagrams showing equipment locations. Calculate amount of pollutant in samples or compute air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes, using chemical and mathematical formulas.
License: License not required.
Outlook: Satisfactory
Alabama Employment Outlook
Alabama Wage Data
Hourly Wage   Annual Wage
Entry $14.34   Entry $29,832.00
Mean $24.87   Mean $51,716.00
Experience $30.13 Experience $62,668.00

The data is based on the May 2017 Occupation Employment Survey employment and wage estimate file. The wages have been aged using the most current ECI factors reflecting wages as of June 2018.

Alabama Projections
Estimated Employment 2016Projected Employment 2026Annual Average OpeningsAnnual Growth Rate
48053065.99
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Occupational Videos
19-4091.00 Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health