Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health, under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist. May collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing.
AI Impact Summary
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 33/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 55% of all analyzed occupations. Of 26 analyzed tasks, 6 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
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AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
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Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
26 tasks analyzed
Discuss test results and analyses with customers.
Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
Develop or implement programs for monitoring of environmental pollution or radiation.
Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.
Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.
Provide information or technical or program assistance to government representatives, employers, or the general public on the issues of public health, environmental protection, or workplace safety.
Direct activities of workers in laboratory.
Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
Monitor emission control devices to ensure they are operating properly and comply with state and federal regulations.
Inspect sanitary conditions at public facilities.
Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.
Examine and analyze material for presence and concentration of contaminants, such as asbestos, using variety of microscopes.
Initiate procedures to close down or fine establishments violating environmental or health regulations.
Weigh, analyze, or measure collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants.
Develop or implement site recycling or hazardous waste stream programs.
Analyze potential environmental impacts of production process changes and recommend steps to mitigate negative impacts.
Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
Perform statistical analysis of environmental data.
Determine amounts and kinds of chemicals to use in destroying harmful organisms or removing impurities from purification systems.
Set up equipment or stations to monitor and collect pollutants from sites, such as smoke stacks, manufacturing plants, or mechanical equipment.
Make recommendations to control or eliminate unsafe conditions at workplaces or public facilities.
Distribute permits, closure plans, or cleanup plans.
Maintain files, such as hazardous waste databases, chemical usage data, personnel exposure information, or diagrams showing equipment locations.
Develop testing procedures.
Calculate amount of pollutant in samples or compute air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes, using chemical and mathematical formulas.
Conduct standardized tests to ensure materials or supplies used throughout power supply systems meet processing and safety specifications.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discuss test results and analyses with customers. | 35Estimated | 29.0% | 4% | |
| Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results. | 42.5Observed | 66.2% | 6% | |
| Develop or implement programs for monitoring of environmental pollution or radiation. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 5% | |
| Calibrate microscopes or test instruments. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Provide information or technical or program assistance to government representatives, employers, or the general public on the issues of public health, environmental protection, or workplace safety. | 40Estimated | 31.0% | 4% | |
| Direct activities of workers in laboratory. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 3% | |
| Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 6% | |
| Monitor emission control devices to ensure they are operating properly and comply with state and federal regulations. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 4% | |
| Inspect sanitary conditions at public facilities. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 4% | |
| Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards. | 56.83Observed | 49.7% | 4% | |
| Examine and analyze material for presence and concentration of contaminants, such as asbestos, using variety of microscopes. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 5% | |
| Initiate procedures to close down or fine establishments violating environmental or health regulations. | 67Estimated | 76.0% | 2% | |
| Weigh, analyze, or measure collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 4% | |
| Develop or implement site recycling or hazardous waste stream programs. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Analyze potential environmental impacts of production process changes and recommend steps to mitigate negative impacts. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 4% | |
| Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Perform statistical analysis of environmental data. | 80Estimated | 59.0% | 4% | |
| Determine amounts and kinds of chemicals to use in destroying harmful organisms or removing impurities from purification systems. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 3% | |
| Set up equipment or stations to monitor and collect pollutants from sites, such as smoke stacks, manufacturing plants, or mechanical equipment. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 4% | |
| Make recommendations to control or eliminate unsafe conditions at workplaces or public facilities. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Distribute permits, closure plans, or cleanup plans. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 2% | |
| Maintain files, such as hazardous waste databases, chemical usage data, personnel exposure information, or diagrams showing equipment locations. | 97Estimated | 88.0% | 4% | |
| Develop testing procedures. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 3% | |
| Calculate amount of pollutant in samples or compute air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes, using chemical and mathematical formulas. | 100Estimated | 89.2% | 4% | |
| Conduct standardized tests to ensure materials or supplies used throughout power supply systems meet processing and safety specifications. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 3% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 31.0%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Explore other career paths
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Service Orientation
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change