聚光灯
环境健康与安全技术员、环境合规技术员、危险材料技术员、职业健康与安全技术员、工业卫生技术员、环境监测技术员
Some industries, like energy production, transportation, manufacturing, and agriculture, have a larger impact on the environment than others. At the same time, these industries are also among the most hazardous to work in.
Since the operations of these types of industries have the potential to harm workers and the environment, they have experts assigned to help ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
Known as Environmental Safety Technicians, their job includes monitoring conditions, identifying hazards, assessing risks, and proposing solutions to mitigate risk. They also conduct inspections to make sure employers and employees follow the right procedures so that workers, communities, and ecosystems are as safe as possible.
- Implement and monitor environmental safety programs
- Contribute to pollution reduction and environmental protection
- Ensure compliance with workplace safety and health regulations and policies
- Play a key role in emergency preparedness and response
工作日程
Environmental Safety Technicians typically work full-time. Overtime may be required for emergency response situations or to meet project deadlines. Some travel may be necessary for site evaluations.
典型职责
- Monitor workplace environmental conditions; check for adherence to regulations
- Apply codes, regulations, laws, and policies related to worker health and safety
- Conduct inspections and audits to identify potential safety hazards and environmental risks. Ensure safe levels of air and water quality
- Check emission control devices for proper functioning
- Collect and analyze samples of soil, water, and gas for contaminants and pollutants, following Environmental Protection Agency guidelines
- Analyze and interpret environmental data using modeling, simulation tools, and Geographic Information Systems
- Assist in developing and implementing safety programs and emergency response plans to safeguard workers against hazardous practices and materials
- Communicate safety-related information to employees, managers, and contractors
- Provide workplace safety training; document training records, as needed
- Ensure proper use of safety equipment and personal protective equipment
- Research Safety Data Sheets, perform Toxic Substances Control Act assessments, authorize chemical use, and administer chemical tracking
- Follow guidelines in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
- Develop data-driven action/mitigation plans, including testing and treating Acid Mine Drainage water
- Review Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans to ensure compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards
- Provide support in hazardous waste management labeling, storage, transport, and disposal
- Assist in applying for environmental and health safety permits
- Analyze incident data for trends in mishaps, injuries, and hazards
额外责任
- Calibrate test instrument
- Cooperate with external inspections
- Implement Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures, as applicable
- Conduct monitoring and reporting to government agencies as required
- Maintain records related to waste characterization
- Support investigations of incidents and accidents; determine root causes and recommend preventive measures
- Prepare reports based on assessments, audits, inspections, and investigations
- Train and supervise newer technicians
- Participate in sustainability initiatives and meetings
- Research trends, best practices, and regulatory changes
软技能
技术技能
- Emergency response planning
- Environmental areas (e.g., air quality, water resources)
- Environmental monitoring, sampling, data collection, and analysis tools and techniques
- Environmental regulations and compliance measures
- Environmental reporting tools
- Environmental science and ecology
- 地理信息系统(GIS)
- Hazardous waste and materials regulations and handling procedures
- 项目管理
- Report writing and presentation
- Safety and health assessment techniques
- Statistical and data modeling tools
- Chemical companies
- Construction and infrastructure companies
- Corporate environmental departments
- 环境咨询公司
- Government regulatory agencies (federal, state, and local)
- 医疗保健设施
- Industrial and manufacturing plants
- Mining and natural resource companies
- Public and private educational institutions
- Research organizations
- Utilities (water, gas, and electric)
- Waste management and recycling companies
Environmental Safety Technicians may work in various conditions, including industrial settings or outdoors facing environmental factors. The job may require being around hazardous materials, which demands strict adherence to safety protocols.
Workers sometimes face industry resistance or public concerns, requiring them to have strong communication skills. As advocates for workplace safety and environmental stewardship, they play a crucial role in promoting and implementing effective health and safety practices and policies. At the same time, they must engage in continuous learning to stay updated on changing regulations and safety practices.
The public is putting pressure on governmental agencies to do more for the environment and to have more oversight on what organizations are doing. This push for more sustainability and accountability is resulting in new laws and updated policies and regulations at national, state, and local levels.
Environmental Safety Technicians help to explain these changes and monitor organizational compliance with them. Technology like remote sensing and advanced analytical tools is enabling them to conduct more precise monitoring and better data collection.
The incorporation of AI, wearable smart devices, robotics, and electronic reporting systems is also being used to enhance safety—but these advancements require workers to keep up with the evolving technologies.
Students who choose to become Environmental Safety Technicians often have an interest in the natural world and environmental conservation. They may have been involved in science clubs, outdoor activities, and community initiatives focused on sustainability from a young age. Their academic interests probably included subjects like biology, chemistry, and environmental studies.
- Environmental Safety Technicians typically require an associate degree, technical certification, or in some cases a bachelor’s degree
- Note, some entry-level positions may only require relevant work experience versus academic credentials
- Common degrees include:
- Associate degree in Environmental Science
- Associate degree in Occupational Health and Safety
- Bachelor’s in Environmental Engineering
- Bachelor’s in Environmental Health and Safety
- Bachelor’s in Environmental Science
- Bachelor’s in Industrial Hygiene
- Bachelor’s in Occupational Health and Safety
- 相关课程可包括
- Air Quality Management
- Climate Change and Global Warming
- Conservation Biology
- 生态学
- Environmental Health and Toxicology
- 环境影响评估
- Environmental Law and Legislation
- 地理信息系统(GIS)
- Hazardous Materials Handling
- Industrial Safety
- Natural Resource Management
- 职业健康与安全
- Renewable Energy Sources
- 土壤科学
- Waste Management
- Hands-on experience through internships, research assistant roles, or entry-level environmental health and safety jobs can be beneficial
- In addition, expect a few months of on-the-job training
- Optional industry certifications include:
- Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response certification
- 注册危险材料管理员
- Occupational Hygiene and Safety Technician
- 认证环境专业人员
- Workers may need a valid driver’s license to travel to job sites
- Environmental Safety Technicians can receive training at community colleges, universities, or even at technical or vocational schools
that offers programs or certifications in environmental safety - Look for accredited schools offering programs in environmental science, environmental health and safety, occupational health and safety, industrial hygiene, or environmental engineering
- 在决定是否报名参加校内、网上或混合课程时,要考虑你的时间安排和灵活性。
- Seek programs with fieldwork and internships opportunities
- 考虑学费、折扣和当地奖学金的机会(除联邦援助外)。
- Look for programs that collaborate with external partners, which can augment your learning experience
- Review graduation rates and post-graduate job placement statistics
- Ask a seasoned Environmental Safety Technician to do an informational interview with you, or see if you can shadow them at work for a day
- Watch videos and read online articles related to the career field to familiarize yourself with current environmental health and safety trends. Popular blogs include:
- Check out job descriptions posted on employment portals to determine the most current job qualifications and areas of specialization that might interest you
- In high school, load up on biology, ecology, chemistry, environmental science, math (especially algebra and geometry), physics, health science, geography, English, writing, computer science, government, and shop classes
- Engage in extracurricular activities to gain teamwork, leadership, and project management experience
- Participate in relevant online forums like the National Safety Council’s Global Health, Safety & Environment Forum
- 记录你所有的工作和学术成就,以备简历和大学申请之用
- Upload your resume on job portals like Indeed, SimplyHired, Monster, USAJobs, ZipRecruiter, Velvet Jobs, and Glassdoor
- Sign up for alerts so you won’t miss it when a new job is posted
- 查看招聘广告,寻找可在简历中列出的关键字,如
- Accident Prevention
- Emergency Response
- Environmental Compliance
- Environmental Management Systems
- EPA Regulations
- Hazardous Materials Management
- Health and Safety Programs
- Incident Investigation
- Industrial Hygiene
- OSHA Standards
- Policy Development
- Risk Assessment
- Safety Audits
- Safety Regulations
- Safety Training
- Workplace Safety
- Review Environmental Safety Technician resume templates and sample interview questions
- Ask your school to connect you with recruiters. Take advantage of chances to intern with environmental safety-related organizations
- Reach out to your school’s career center to get resume help, do mock interviews, and learn about upcoming job fairs
- Do your research on potential large employers, such as:
- 美国疾病控制和预防中心
- Department of Defense
- 能源部
- 环境保护局
- 联邦紧急事务管理局
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- 美国国立卫生研究院
- 职业安全与健康管理局
- United States Department of Agriculture
- United States Geological Survey
- 在面试中,表现出对行业趋势的敏锐认识
- 面试时穿着专业
- 请以前的教授和主管写推荐信,或要求他们同意(提前)将他们列为推荐人。
- Speak with your supervisor about advancement. Get advice and talk through options
- Show your willingness to learn, follow procedures, and assume increased responsibilities
- Set the bar high and ensure compliance with regulations to help protect workers, equipment, facilities, work sites, and surrounding areas
- 在专业发展和参加继续教育课程方面保持积极主动的态度
- Knock out additional certifications when qualified to do so, like the Board of Certified Safety Professionals - Associate Safety Professional
- If beneficial, consider doing a higher-level college degree
- Try to gain diverse experience across different workplace environments. After working in different areas, consider specializing in a particular area such as:
- Accident Investigation
- Air Quality Management
- Biological Safety
- Chemical Safety
- Construction Safety
- Emergency Response Planning
- Environmental Compliance
- Ergonomics
- Fire Safety and Prevention
- 危险废物管理
- Industrial Hygiene
- Noise Control and Hearing Conservation
- Occupational Health
- Radiation Safety
- Regulatory Compliance and Auditing
- Risk Assessment and Management
- Safety Engineering
- Sustainability and Environmental Protection
- Water Quality Management
- Workplace Safety Training
- Be active in professional organizations such as the American Industrial Hygiene Association (see our list of Recommended Resources for more information)
- Keep current on changes related to employer policies and local, state, or federal regulations
网站
- 董事会认证的环境专业人员学院
- 工程和技术认证委员会
- 空气和废物管理协会
- American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists
- 美国化学学会
- 美国政府工业卫生学家会议
- 美国工业卫生协会
- American Mosquito Control Association
- 美国国家标准协会
- 美国公共卫生协会
- 美国微生物学会
- 美国安全专业人员协会
- ASTM国际组织
- 全球EHS资格认证委员会
- 专业人体工程学认证委员会
- 安全专业人员认证委员会
- 美国疾病控制和预防中心
- 工业工程理事会
- Department of Defense
- 能源部
- 能源之星
- 环境保护局
- 联邦紧急事务管理局
- Health Physics Society
- 危险材料管理研究所
- 工程与技术学院
- International Society for Sustainability Professionals
- 国际自动化学会
- International Society of Exposure Analysis
- 能源与环境设计先锋奖(LEED)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- National Association for Environmental Management
- 全国环境专业人员协会
- National Association of Safety Professionals
- 国家公共卫生检查员委员会
- 全国工程和测量师考试委员会
- 全国环境卫生协会
- 国家防火协会
- 国家工程技术认证研究所
- 国家职业安全与健康研究所
- 美国国立卫生研究院
- 国家娱乐与公园协会
- 国家环境专业人员登记处
- National Safety Council
- NSF International
- 职业安全与健康管理局
- 法规事务专业协会
- Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration
- 美国绿色建筑委员会
- United States Department of Agriculture
- United States Geological Survey
- 世界安全组织
书籍
- Safety Risk Management: Preventing Injuries, Illnesses, and Environmental Damage, by Fred Fanning
- Safety WALK Safety TALK: How small changes in what you THINK, SAY, and DO shape your safety culture, by David Allan Galloway
- The Beginner’s Guide to the Environmental, Health and Safety Profession, by Chance Roberts
Environmental Safety Technicians play a crucial role in protecting our workers, communities, and natural environment. But this career isn’t the right fit, consider related fields that might interest you, such as:
- 棕地重建专家
- 保护科学家
- 建设和建筑督察
- 环境合规督察
- 环境工程技术员
- 环境科学家
- 消防检查员
- Geological Technicians
- 危险废物技术员
- 健康和安全工程师
- 水文学家
- 工业卫生学家
- Materials Scientist
- 微生物学家
- 采矿和地质工程师
- 职业健康与安全专家
- Public Health Officer
- 安全经理
- 水/废水工程师
- 水资源专家
- 野生动物生物学家