A production economy is built on waste and obsolescence. Waste and pollution are natural by-products of production. They are the necessary evil of goods production in the economy, whether they are the final goods and services for consumers or the intermediate industrial materials used in producing the final goods. Many of these waste and pollution by-products are highly toxic. They cannot simply be discarded in an ordinary landfill by low-skilled workers.

In addition to special disposal facilities to handle varieties of toxic wastes, more attention also is being paid to municipal landfills. Municipalities are faced with declining capacity in existing sites. As regulations become more stringent, it is increasingly difficult to create new ones. They are constrained not only by what can be placed in the landfills, but also strict regulations on construction sometimes place prohibitive costs on building new sites. Municipalities must find ways to manage facilities better. This in turn, means they need to have more skilled and knowledgeable workers.

Environmental concerns are not limited to solid wastes. Other areas being addressed are air pollution, water pollution and noise pollution. Concerns are not just with industrial offenders. Municipalities in some areas are putting tighter restrictions on air pollution by requiring automobile exhaust inspections and restricting the use of wood-burning fireplaces in new residential construction. Water, especially in some parts of Texas, is a scarce commodity. Providing high quality water for consumer use puts a heavy burden on local governments. Pollution of the water systems comes not only from industrial waste, but from agricultural runoff through pesticides and fertilizers and from consumers emptying all types of chemicals into wastewater systems. These toxins must be removed before the water can be used by consumers downstream.

Noise pollution is a growing concern for municipal planners. Controlling noise pollution, or "noise abatement," always has been a concern for airports. Residents in the flight path of proposed new sites or expanding facilities worry about noise generated by approaching and departing aircraft. Concern about unwanted noise has moved beyond airports. As municipal planners struggle with building larger arteries to move people into city centers or industrial parks from burgeoning bedroom communities, residents in these outlying areas are not only concerned with the increased traffic, but the noise it creates. Transportation planners must devise methods to abate noise with baffle fencing or by planting trees to act as barriers.

There may be some overlap among the occupations in some firms. An employee actually may perform the duties of one or more of the occupations listed. In larger firms, the duties may become more specialized. For many occupations, employees work for a goods-producing firm, a consulting firm or a regulatory agency.

Environmental health inspectors, who work primarily for State and local governments, ensure that food, water, and air meet government standards. They check the cleanliness and safety of food and beverages produced in dairies and processing plants, or served in restaurants, hospitals, and other institutions. They often examine the handling, processing, and serving of food for compliance with sanitation rules and regulations, and oversee the treatment and disposal of sewage, refuse, and garbage (see also Agricultural Science). In addition, inspectors may visit pollution sources and test for pollutants by collecting air, water or waste samples for analysis. They try to determine the nature and cause of pollution and initiate action to stop it.

Civil engineers design and supervise the construction of water supply and sewage systems. Major specialties within civil engineering are structural, water resources, environmental, construction, transportation and geotechnical engineering. Many civil engineers hold supervisory or administrative positions, ranging from supervisor of a construction site to city engineer. Others may work in design, construction, research, and teaching.

Civil engineering technicians help civil engineers plan and build highways, buildings, bridges, dams, wastewater treatment systems and other structures, and perform related surveys and studies. Some inspect water and wastewater treatment systems to ensure pollution control requirements are met. Others estimate construction costs and specify materials to be used. Some may even prepare drawings or perform land surveying duties (see also Drafting Technology).

Many environmental technology careers are considered emerging and evolving occupations in Texas. There should be considerable growth and earnings oppotunities in this field in the comong years. The emerging and evolving occupations for this sector of the economy are:

Air monitoring/emissions technicians perform laboratory and field tests to monitor environmental resources and determine sources of pollution, under direction of environmental scientists. They collect air samples for testing, and may recommend remediation treatment to resolve pollution problems.

Chemical waste disposal workers operate machines and equipment to package, store or transport loads of waste materials. They load and unloads materials into containers and onto trucks, using hoists or forklifts, and drive trucks to convey contaminated waste to designated sea or ground locations. Once there, they mix and pour concrete into forms to encase waste material for disposal, following prescribed safety procedures and compliance with federal laws regulating waste disposal methods.They also record the number of containers stored at a disposal site, and specify the amount and type of equipment and waste disposed. These workers also clean contaminated equipment for reuse, using detergents and solvents, sandblasters, filter pumps and steam cleaners.

Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) transportation workers load, transport and unload hazardous materials from production facilities to disposal sites. Because of the hazardous nature of their cargo to the public safety, they require additional training beyond that of a typical truck driver. They must know how to handle the materials, know authorized transportation routes for these materials, emergency procedures in case of an accident or spill, and the proper disposal of the materials.

Laboratory services technicians perform chemical and physical laboratory tests on collected samples to assess compliance with pollution standards. They conduct standardized tests to ensure materials and supplies used throughout power supply system meet processing and safety specifications. They also examine and analyze material for the presence and concentration of contaminants such as asbestos in the environment, using a variety of microscopes and other test equipment. These technicians calculate the amount of pollutant in samples, compute air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes using chemical and mathematical formulas. They then which determine kinds and amounts of chemicals to use in destroying harmful organisms and removing impurities from purification systems. They prepare reports, summaries, and charts that interpret test results and recommend changes.

Noise abatement technicians monitor noise levels coming from industrial sites, airports, roadways, and public areas, and analyze their impact on residential areas and protected natural sites. They help in the design and implementation of remedies, such as diversion of traffic, and artificial and natural barriers. They work under the supervision of civil and acoustic engineers.

Pollution prevention technicians inspect solid waste disposal and treatment facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, or other water courses or sites for conformance with regulations. They inspect establishments to ensure that handling, storage and disposal of fertilizers, pesticides and other hazardous chemicals conform with regulations. They may conduct field tests and collect samples for laboratory analysis, examine and obtain permits, licenses and applications, and create records to ensure compliance with licensing requirements. These technicians also conduct research on hazardous waste management projects to determine magnitude of disposal problem, treatment, and disposal alternatives and costs. Pollution prevention technicians must maintain a current understanding of laws and statutes to determine control requirements.

Remediation technicians locate and remove hazardous materials, such as asbestos, lead, leaking underground storage tanks or hazardous spills. They often wear HAZMAT suits using protective eyewear and breathing respirators to protect themselves from contamination. They are responsible for sampling materials, sealing off removal sites, and placing hazardous materials into sealed containers approved for disposal.

Safety and health technicians investigate adequacy of ventilation, exhaust equipment, lighting, and other conditions which may affect employee health, comfort or efficiency. They conduct evaluations of exposure to ionizing and nonionizing radiation and to noise. They may collect samples of dust, gases, vapors and other potentially toxic materials for analysis, and recommend measures to ensure maximum employee protection. These technicians collaborate with engineers and physicians to institute control and remedial measures for hazardous and potentially hazardous conditions of equipment. They arrange and conduct educational meetings to instruct employees in matters pertaining to occupational health and prevention of accidents. Technicians prepare reports including observations, analysis of contaminants and recommendations for control and correction of hazards, and review physicians' reports and conduct worker studies to determine if diseases or illnesses are job-related. They may also be responsible for designing natural and industrial disaster response plans for the company.

Solid and hazardous waste technicians monitor and inventory the output of these materials in a factory, assure proper packaging, arrange for removal and disposal at an approved facilityand maintain logs to comply with federal, state and local regulation regarding these materials. Technicians working at disposal sites must oversee the unloading and proper disposal of the materials and monitor the disposal site or facility for leaking containers, and keep records in compliance with regulatory agencies.

Waste and wastewater technicians operate and control pollution treatment equipment to clean, purify and neutralize water for human consumption. They operate equipment to remove harmful domestic and industrial pollution from wastewater in sewage treatment plants. Technicians inspect equipment, and monitor operating conditions, meters and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions. They add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine and lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids. They collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards. They record operational data, personnel attendance, and meter and gauge readings on specified forms. Some technicians may direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities.

 

Colleges Offering Degrees in Environmental Technology Programs

 

• El Paso Community College
• New Mexico State University
• University of Texas at El Paso
• Webster University

 

Environmental technicians work both indoors and outdoors and may be exposed to noise from machinery and some unpleasant odors, although chemicals may be used to minimize these. Operators have to stoop, reach and climb and sometimes get their clothes dirty. They must pay close attention to safety procedures for they may be confronted with hazardous materials or conditions, such as slippery walkways, dangerous gases and malfunctioning equipment. Because facilities operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, operators work one of three 8-hour shifts and weekends and holidays on a rotational basis. Whenever emergencies arise, technicians may be required to work overtime.

Occasionally, technicians must work under emergency conditions. A heavy rainstorm, may cause large amounts of wastewater to flow into sewers, exceeding a plant's treatment capacity. Emergencies also can be caused by conditions such as spills, gas leaks or oxygen deficiencies. To handle these conditions, operators are trained in emergency management response using special safety equipment and procedures to protect public health and the facility. During these periods, technicians may work under extreme pressure to correct problems as quickly as possible. These periods may create dangerous working conditions and they must be extremely cautious.

Because of the introduction of computer-controlled equipment and more sophisticated instrumentation, computer skills are essential. Environmental technicians increasingly rely on computers to help monitor equipment, store sampling results, make process control decisions, schedule and record maintenance activities, and produce reports. When problems occur, operators may use their computers to determine the cause of and solution to the malfunction.

Technicians need mechanical aptitude and should be competent in basic mathematics, as they need to apply data to formulas of treatment requirements, flow and concentration levels. In general, people who want to enter this occupation should be responsible and like detailed work. Inspectors and compliance officers should be neat and personable, and able to communicate well orally and in writing.

Environmental technicians usually require a high school diploma and may require training in vocational schools and related on-the-job experience. Some positions may require an associate degree. Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. Additional training will likely be required to obtain appropriate licencing to operate truck and trailer rigs, as well as formal course work and certification in the handling and transportation of hazardous materials from and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved program, including special certification from the Texas Department of Public Safety. Some materials, such as asbestos removal, may require special certificates or licensing.

Employers prefer those who have had high school courses in chemistry, biology and mathematics. Some 2-year programs leading to an associate degree in environmental technology and 1-year programs leading to a certificate are available. These provide a good general knowledge of treatment processes as well as basic preparation for becoming a technician. Because facilities and processes are becoming more complex, completion of such courses increases an applicant's chances for employment and promotion.

Most state pollution control agencies offer training courses to improve operators' skills and knowledge. These courses cover principles of treatment processes and process control, laboratory procedures, maintenance, management skills, collection systems, safety, chlorination, sedimentation, biological treatment, sludge treatment and disposal, and flow measurements. Some operators take correspondence courses on subjects related to water and wastewater treatment, and some employers pay part of the tuition for related college courses in science or engineering. In 49 States, operators must pass an examination to certify that they are capable of overseeing wastewater treatment plant operations.Typically, there are different levels of certification depending on the operator's experience and training. Higher certification levels qualify the operator for a wider variety of treatment processes. Certification requirements vary by State, and by size of treatment plants. While relocation may mean having to become certified in a new location, many States accept other States' certifications.

Environmental health inspectors, called sanitarians in many States, sometimes must have a bachelor's degree in environmental health or in the physical or biological sciences. In most States, they are licensed by examining boards. All inspectors and compliance officers are trained in the applicable laws or inspection procedures through some combination of classroom and on-the-job training.

A bachelor's degree in engineering is required for civil engineering jobs. In addition to the standard engineering degree, many colleges offer degrees in engineering technology, which are offered as either 2- or 4-year programs. These programs prepare students for practical design and production work rather than for jobs that require more theoretical, scientific and mathematical knowledge. Graduates of 4-year technology programs may get jobs similar to those obtained by graduates with a bachelor's degree in engineering. Some employers regard them as having skills between those of a technician and an engineer. All 50 States and the District of Columbia require registration for engineers whose work may affect life, health, or property, or who offer their services to the public. Registration generally requires a degree from an accredited engineering program, 4 years of relevant work experience, and passing a State examination. Some States will not register people with degrees in engineering technology. Engineers may be registered in several states.

 

As technicians are promoted, they become responsible for more complex processes. Some technicians are promoted to supervisor or superintendent, while others advance by transferring to a larger facility. Some postsecondary training coupled with increasingly responsible experience as an operator may be sufficient to qualify for superintendent of a small facility, however, educational requirements are rising as larger, more complex treatment processes are developed to meet new pollution control standards. With each promotion, the technician must have greater knowledge of Federal, State, and local regulations. Superintendents of large facilities generally need an engineering or science degree. Experienced technicians may transfer to related jobs with industrial wastewater treatment plants, companies selling equipment and chemicals, engineering consulting firms or vocational-technical schools.

Salaries depend, among other things, on the size and location of the facility, the complexity of the technician's job, and the technician's level of certification. In addition to their annual salaries, environmental technicians generally receive benefits that include health and life insurance, a retirement plan and educational reimbursement for job-related courses.

Water and wastewater treatment plant operators had median weekly earnings of $551 in 1996; the lowest paid 10 percent of the occupation earned about $313 a week, the middle 50 percent of the occupation earned between $392 and $703 a week, and the top 10 percent earned about $808 a week. According to information from union surveys, wages for water and wastewater treatment plant operators ranged from $335 to $1,034 weekly, averaging $668 in 1995. Environmental protection specialists averaged $1,018 per week, and environmental protection assistants averaged $559.

 

As the complexity of environmental problems problems grows, so does the need for more highly trained and skilled workers—not only for workers that handle the waste materials or treat the water supply. With increased regulation of pollutants and the costs of cleanups, industry and municipalities must employ skilled workers to monitor emissions more closely. All these issues translate into the need for more technicians.

Environmental technicians are employed throughout the country, with most jobs in larger towns and cities. In 1994, employment in the U.S. for environmental science technicians was 228,925. It is projected that by the year 2005 employment in this occupation will grow by 14%, an increase of 30,935 positions. Over the same period, 47,850 openings (21% of current positions) will become available due to employee turnover.

Water and wastewater treatment plant operators held about 98,000 jobs in 1996. The vast majority worked for local governments. Some worked for private water supply and sanitary services companies, which increasingly provide operation and management services to local governments on a contract basis. About half worked as water treatment plant operators and half worked as wastewater treatment plant operators.

Although local government is the largest employer of environmental technicians, increased reliance on private firms specializing in the operation and management of environmental engineering and waste facilities should shift some employment demand to these companies. Increased pre-treatment activity by manufacturing firms should also create new job opportunities. Environmental technicians generally have steady employment because the services they provide are essential and required by law.