Job Family: 19-0000 Life, Physical and Social Science
Occupational Group: 19-4090 Science Technicians
OCCUPATION PROFILE
JOB FAMILY: LIFE, PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE
OCCUPATIONAL GROUP: SCIENCE TECHNICIANS
OCCUPATION: ENVIRON SCIENCE/PROTECT TECH, INCL HLTH
19-4091
BROADBAND LEVELS: Level 1 – Pay Band 002
Level 2 – Pay Band 005
Level 4 – Pay Band 009
DESCRIPTION
This is work performing laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigating sources of pollution, including those that affect health. Under direction of an environmental scientist or specialist, incumbents may collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing and take corrective actions as assigned.
Some positions in this occupation may be responsible for coordinating work and supervising employees.
EXAMPLES OF WORK
Supervises employees by assigning work, reviewing progress and assessing performance.
Collects samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, and asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels.
Conducts initial investigations of nuisance complaints.
Performs chemical and physical laboratory and field tests on collected samples to assess compliance with pollution standards, using test instruments.
Conducts standardized tests to ensure materials and supplies used throughout power supply system meet processing and safety specifications.
Examines and analyzes material for presence and concentration of contaminants such as asbestos in environment, using variety of microscopes.
Weighs, analyzes, and measures collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants.
Calculates amount of pollutant in samples or computes air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes, using chemical and mathematical formulas.
Prepares samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
Collect blood samples in the sentinel chicken program.
Participate in emergency response functions.
Determines amounts and kinds of chemicals to use in destroying harmful organisms and removing impurities from purification systems.
Sets up equipment or station to monitor and collect pollutants from sites, such as smokestacks, manufacturing plants, or mechanical equipment.
Records test data and prepares reports, summaries, and charts, that interpret test results and recommend changes.
Develops procedures and directs activities of workers in laboratory.
Calibrates microscopes and test instruments.
Discusses test results and analyses with customers.
Conducts initial investigations.
EXAMPLES OF JOB CHARACTERISTICS
Getting Information Needed to Do the Job / Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.Monitor Processes, Materials, and/or Surroundings / Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, often to detect problems or to find out when things are finished.
Analyzing Data or Information / Identifying underlying principles, reasons, or facts by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events / Identifying information received by making estimates or categorizations, recognizing differences or similarities, or sensing changes in circumstances or events.
Processing Information / Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, verifying, or processing information or data.
Documenting/Recording Information / Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in either written form or by electronic/magnetic recording.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems / Combining, evaluating, and reasoning with information and data to make decisions and solve problems. These processes involve making decisions about the relative importance of information and choosing the best solution.
Evaluating Information Against Standards / Evaluating information against a set of standards and verifying that it is correct.
Judging Qualities of Things, Services, and/or People / Making judgments about or assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, and/or Material / Inspecting or diagnosing equipment, structures, or materials to identify the causes of errors or other problems or defects.
EXAMPLES OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Science / Using scientific methods to solve problemsInformation Gathering / Knowing how to find information and identifying essential information
Mathematics / Using mathematics to solve problems
Reading Comprehension / Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents
Critical Thinking / Using logic and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
Writing / Communicating effectively with others in writing as indicated by the needs of the audience
Information Organization / Finding ways to structure or classify multiple pieces of information
Problem Identification / Identifying the nature of problems
Active Listening / Listening to what other people are saying and asking questions as appropriate
Operation and Control / Controlling operations of equipment or systems
Coordination / Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions
Management of Personnel Resources / Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job
Equipment Selection / Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job
Chemistry / Knowledge of the composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods
Mathematics / Knowledge of numbers, their operations, and interrelationships including one or more of the following: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications
Public Safety and Security / Knowledge of some or all of the following: weaponry, public safety, security operations, rules, regulations, precautions, prevention, protection of people, data and property
English Language / Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
Computers and Electronics / Knowledge of electric circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming
LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, OR REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
EFFECTIVE: 03/17/2003
History: 07/01/2002
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