Environmental engineering technicians typically need an associate's degree in environmental engineering technology or a related field.
Education
Environmental engineering technicians typically need an associate's degree in environmental engineering technology or a related field. Programs in environmental engineering technology generally include courses in mathematics, chemistry, hazardous waste management, and environmental assessment, among others.
Programs can be found in vocational-technical schools and community colleges. Community colleges offer programs similar to those in vocational-technical schools but include more theory-based and liberal arts coursework. Some environmental engineering technicians enter the occupation with a bachelor's degree in a natural science, such as biology or chemistry.
ABET accredits engineering and engineering technology programs at the associate's level and above.
Prospective engineering technicians should take as many high school science and math courses as possible to prepare for programs in engineering technology after high school.
Important Qualities
Communication skills. When working on teams, environmental engineering technicians must be able to listen well and report back to their group or team leader.
Critical-thinking skills. Environmental engineers rely on environmental engineering technicians to help identify problems and solutions and to implement the engineers' plans. To do these tasks, technicians must be able to think critically and logically.
Observational skills. Environmental engineering technicians are the eyes and ears of environmental engineers and must assume responsibility for properly evaluating situations onsite. These technicians must be able to recognize problems so that the environmental engineers are informed as quickly as possible.
Reading skills. Environmental engineering technicians must be able to read and understand legal and technical documents in order to ensure that regulatory requirements are being met.
Advancement
Environmental engineering technicians usually begin work as trainees in entry-level positions supervised by an environmental engineer or a more experienced technician. As they gain experience, technicians take on more responsibility and carry out assignments under general supervision. Some eventually enter positions as senior environmental technicians or lead environmental technicians, who function as supervisors when onsite.
Technicians with a bachelor's degree often are able to advance to become environmental engineers.
