Environmental Technician/Technologist, Laboratory Technician/Technologist, Waste Management Specialist
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $35.55 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $42.48 |
| Top | $48.87 |
Interest in handling materials to collect water samples and other materials for analyses; and to develop, implement and evaluate health and safety programs and strategies
Interest in analyzing data from investigations of health and safety related complaints, spills of hazardous chemicals, outbreaks of diseases and poisonings and from workplace accidents and illnesses
Interest in speaking with employers, employees and the general public to deliver training and advise on public health, environmental protection and workplace safety issues; and in initiating enforcement procedures to fine or to close establishments that contravene municipal, provincial and federal regulations
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Hazardous waste management involves preventing and reducing the use of hazardous materials, reducing or eliminating the production of hazardous waste, reusing materials and disposing of hazardous waste safely.
Duties and responsibilities vary from one position to another but, in general, hazardous waste management technologists:
Hazardous waste management technologists often work in co-operation with environmental engineers to develop new methods of dealing with hazardous waste.
Working conditions vary. Hazardous waste management technologists may work in office environments or around dirty, noisy industrial sites. Depending on the circumstances, they may be required to wear personal protective equipment, work outdoors in all kinds of weather, travel frequently (sometimes internationally) or lift equipment weighing up to or over 20 kilograms. They may also be required to work for extended periods of time in emergency response situations.
Hazardous waste management technologists must be:
They should enjoy taking a methodical approach to their work, analyzing data, finding innovative solutions to problems and directing the work of others.
Hazardous waste management technologists must be
Hazardous waste management technologists may acquire the required skills and knowledge through a variety of educational routes combined with on-the-job training. For example, they may take a related 2-year diploma program (such as environmental science or natural resource management) or a related 3 or 4-year degree program (such as a bachelor of science degree in biology, chemistry or environmental science). Hazardous waste management technologists employed in mid-level positions may require a master's or a doctoral degree.
The following hazardous material courses may be required or recommended:
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.
Hazardous waste management technologists are employed by the following types of organizations:
Some employers may require applicants to have a clean driving record.
Hazardous waste management technologists employed in larger organizations may advance to supervisory positions. Obtaining a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in science or environmental engineering usually is required to move into management, consulting or professional roles such as hazardous materials engineer, recycling manager or environmental auditor.
Hazardous waste management technologists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2263: Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety. In Alberta, 85% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook (PDF) in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Over 9,400 Albertans are employed in the Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.0% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 94 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As hazardous waste management technologists form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for hazardous waste management technologists.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $16.00 | $55.00 | $35.55 | $35.90 |
| Overall | $20.00 | $71.43 | $42.48 | $41.97 |
| Top | $23.00 | $92.86 | $48.87 | $49.40 |
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* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $105,583 |
|---|---|
| Utilities | $96,934 |
| Public Administration | $94,722 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $93,349 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $89,841 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $80,949 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $77,498 |
| Educational Services | $76,643 |
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $76,172 |
| Manufacturing | $74,376 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $71,569 |
| Construction | $64,383 |
| Retail Trade | $47,942 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | $32,077 |
Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) website: www.aset.ab.ca
Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) website: www.apega.ca
Canadian Environmental Certification Approvals Board (CECAB) website: www.cecab.org
ECO Canada website: www.eco.ca
Environmental Services Association of Alberta website: www.esaa.org
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.
Updated Jan 30, 2017. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.