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Air Quality Specialist, Biological Sciences Technician / Technologist, Environmental Technician / Technologist, Laboratory Technician / Technologist, Water Quality 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 | $25.11 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $30.56 |
| Top | $33.42 |
Interest in precision working to operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus, to operate chemical and petrochemical pilot plants, and to conduct air and water quality testing and assessments
Interest in analyzing data to develop and conduct programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards of raw materials, chemical intermediates and products
Interest in supervising to oversee environmental monitoring and protection activities and compliance with standards; in assisting in the development of chemical engineering processes, standards, procedures and health and safety measures; in assisting in studies of chemical engineering procurement, construction, inspection and maintenance; and in preparing solutions of gas and liquid, reagents and sample formulations
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.
Pollution control technologists often work as part of a team of environmental specialists that may be concerned primarily with:
Duties and responsibilities vary depending on their area of specialization but, in general, pollution control technologists:
For a description of the duties performed by technologists who work primarily in laboratories analyzing samples, see the Chemical Technologist profile.
Working conditions range from consistent office environments to outdoor environments in bad weather conditions or around odorous substances, pollutants or hazardous wastes. Some jobs involve a lot of physical activity including lifting equipment weighing up to 20 kilograms, travelling to field sites or being away from home for several days or weeks at a time.
Pollution control technologists need:
They should enjoy:
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 13 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 30, 2020 and Jul 24, 2021.
Review these skills to learn:
| Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests and analyses | 8 |
|---|---|
| Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests and analyses | 8 |
| Area of Specialization: Analytical chemistry | 6 |
| Assist in set up and conduction of chemical experiments | 6 |
| Assist in developing and conducting sampling and analysis | 6 |
| Assist in developing and conducting sampling and analysis | 6 |
| Assist in set up and conduction of chemical experiments | 6 |
| Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) | 5 |
| Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus and prepare solutions of gas and liquid, reagents and sample formulations | 5 |
| Compile records and interpret experimental or analytical results | 5 |
Most pollution control technologists have related post-secondary education. For example, some may have a diploma in biological or environmental sciences. Others may have a degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, environmental or earth science, or environmental engineering technology.
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.
Certified engineering technologists (CETs) apply industry-recognized codes, standards, procedures and practices to solve problems within their technological areas of expertise. Depending on their duties supervision by a Professional Engineer / Geoscientist or Professional Technologist (Engineering / Geoscience) may be required.
Under Alberta’s Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act [pdf] and ASET Regulation [pdf], you must be a registered member of the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) to use the title Certified Engineering Technologist (CET). You do not have to be registered if you do not call yourself a Certified Engineering Technologist.
Registration requires successful completion of:
Other requirements may include:
For detailed official information about registration requirements, contact ASET.
Certified engineering technologists who are registered and in good standing with a regulatory body in another province may transfer to Alberta as a Certified Engineering Technologist or Applied Science Technologist if the two jurisdictions require similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory in Canada? and the ASET website.
To learn about certification for internationally educated certified engineering technologists, see Electrical Engineering Technologist Certification Process and Mechanical Engineering Technologist Certification Process.
The Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET)
1600, 9888 Jasper Ave.
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5C6
Canada
Call: 780-425-0626
Toll-free in Alberta: 1-800-272-5619
Fax: 780-424-5053
Email: asetadmin@aset.ab.ca
Website: www.aset.ab.ca
Professional Technologists (Engineering) and Professional Technologists (Geoscience) are currently unique to Alberta. They practise independently in accordance with established methodologies and specifications in the fields of engineering and geoscience. They have the authority to sign off and stamp work within a prescribed scope of practice.
Under Alberta’s Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act [pdf] and Professional Technologists Regulation [pdf], you must be registered as a Professional Technologist (Engineering or Geoscience) by the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) to practise engineering or geoscience within a prescribed scope of practice, or to use the titles Professional Technologist (Engineering) or Professional Technologist (Geoscience) or the abbreviations P.Tech. (Eng.) or P.Tech. (Geo.).
To register as a Professional Technologist (Engineering or Geoscience), you must have:
Other requirements may include:
For detailed, official information, contact ASET.
Professional technologists with a license to practice engineering or geoscience are currently only recognized in Alberta. They may be eligible for a limited licence with engineering regulatory organizations in other jurisdictions. Information on obtaining a limited licence is available through the regulatory organizations.
Registered professional technologists in Alberta may transfer to another province and receive recognition as a Certified Engineering Technologist or Applied Science Technologist by completing the process set by the local provincial regulatory organizations for technologists. For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory in Canada? and the ASET website.
Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET)
1600, 9888 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5C6
Canada
Call: 780-425-0626
Toll-free in Alberta: 1-800-272-5619
Fax: 780-424-5053
Email: asetadmin@aset.ab.ca
Website: www.aset.ab.ca
Pollution control technologists may work for the following types of organizations:
Pollution control technologists sometimes work as inspectors, instrument specialists, technical representatives for equipment manufacturers, or in other fields directly related to environmental investigation and enforcement.
In large organizations, experienced technologists may advance to supervisory and management positions.
Pollution control technologists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2211: Chemical technologists and technicians. In Alberta, 83% 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:
In Alberta, the 2211: Chemical technologists and technicians occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.8% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 39 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
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 | $39.00 | $25.11 | $23.00 |
| Overall | $17.50 | $52.76 | $30.56 | $27.88 |
| Top | $19.60 | $52.76 | $33.42 | $32.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* 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.
| Public Administration | $79,642 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $60,911 |
| Manufacturing | $55,874 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $48,139 |
Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) website: aset.ab.ca
Canadian Environmental Certification Approvals Board (CECAB) website: cecab.org
ECO Canada website: eco.ca
Environmental Services Association of Alberta (ESAA) website: esaa.org
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 05, 2021. 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.