Environmental Protection Technicians
Green energy. Green building. Green cars. Green living. With all of the talk about living greener lives, industry is beginning to catch up with the public’s demand and take steps to insure that their business practices and products are environmentally sound. Environmental Protection Technicians and Managers are at the forefront of this exciting, growing career field. Environmental protection technicians and managers are being hired by everyone from architectural firms to universities, and everything in between.
What does an environmental protection technician do? While the duties of a technician can vary greatly from company to company, the goal of his job is always the same- to reduce the company’s impact on the environment. For a construction project, this can mean helping the company source environmentally friendly building materials and use greener building techniques. In a manufacturing facility, an environmental protection technician may conduct air or water quality tests, or consult with research and development regarding how to incorporate environmental principles into new products.
Environmental techs and managers may also work for federal or local agencies, or consulting or policy firms. Job opportunities for individuals in the field of environmental protection are expected to grow at a much faster than average rate for the foreseeable future.
Educational requirements for jobs in the environmental sciences vary by job. Some entry level positions are available to those who hold a Bachelors degree in environmental or earth science. However, more advanced positions typically require a Masters degree in one of the physical sciences, or in environmental protection. There are different certifications available, mainly the Registered Environmental Manager Certification.
Coursework in environmental protection training programs focuses on learning to reduce the negative impact of human activities on the environment. Courses may include earth and physical sciences, data analysis, physical geography, chemistry and business. Students who choose a minor in an area such as communications, engineering or business will find that there are an even wider range of job opportunities that are available to them.
One way that a candidate for a job in the environmental protection field can differentiate him or herself from the competition, is to get certification as a Registered Environmental Manager (REM). This certification is awarded to individuals who attend a 2- 3 day REM workshop and successfully pass a rigorous examination that assesses the candidate’s knowledge of environmental auditing, hazardous waste management and transportation, and real estate environmental assessment.
Although the REM exam can be difficult, it can be mastered with adequate preparation. The best way to prepare for any examination is to answer as many sample test questions as possible. The REM examination is no different. Spending a few dollars on a test preparation program or book (such as those found here) will be well worth the investment.