Environmental Technician Resume Guide
Environmental technicians perform a variety of duties related to the environment. They monitor air and water quality, inspect facilities for environmental compliance, collect samples for testing, prepare reports on findings, provide technical assistance to organizations and communities in areas such as pollution prevention and waste management, and assist with environmental education programs.
You know the ins and outs of environmental safety better than anyone else. But if hiring managers don’t know who you are, they won’t be aware of your expertise. To make them take notice, create a resume that highlights your professional accomplishments in this field.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.
Table of Contents
The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.
Environmental Technician Resume Sample
Afton Olson
Environmental Technician
[email protected]
653-243-2001
linkedin.com/in/afton-olson
Summary
Skilled environmental technician with 8+ years’ experience in environmental consulting, sampling and analysis. At ABC Environmental Services, managed projects for clients such as oil refineries, power plants and chemical industries to ensure compliance with EPA regulations. Adept at conducting hazardous material inspections, site assessments and managing documentation processes related to waste management. Highly motivated individual committed to delivering exceptional results every time.
Experience
Environmental Technician, Employer A
Santa Ana, Jan 2018 – Present
- Sampled water, soil and air using standard laboratory techniques to measure levels of contamination in the environment; improved accuracy of results by 10%.
- Structured data collection protocols for environmental monitoring projects that resulted in a 15% decrease in time spent on each project.
- Diligently managed hazardous material disposal sites according to local regulations, ensuring compliance with EPA standards and reducing risk of pollution incidents by 20%.
- Improved safety procedures at waste management facilities through regular inspections and maintenance checks; eliminated over 40 hazards from the workplace within 6 months.
- Collected samples from various locations across an 8-acre site for analysis purposes; successfully identified sources of water contamination resulting in a reduction of pollutants discharged into groundwater by 25%.
Environmental Technician, Employer B
Paterson, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017
- Reorganized and streamlined existing environmental monitoring programs, resulting in a 25% decrease in data analysis time.
- Advised and trained team members on safety protocol for hazardous waste disposal; improved adherence to procedures by 40%.
- Confidently led field sampling trips, coordinating logistics such as transportation, equipment rental and personnel assignments with ease.
- Spearheaded the development of innovative soil testing techniques that increased accuracy of results by 30%.
- Represented the company at local sustainability events, delivering educational talks about environmental regulations and best practices for businesses in the area.
Skills
- Environmental Awareness
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Compliance
- Teamwork
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Water Quality
- Environmental Management Systems
- Environmental Consulting
- Field Work
Education
Associate Degree in Environmental Science
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
Certifications
Certified Environmental Technician
National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)
May 2017
1. Summary / Objective
Your resume summary/objective should be a concise and compelling snapshot of your professional experience as an environmental technician. In this section, you can highlight the certifications or qualifications that make you stand out from other candidates, such as hazardous waste management certification or water quality testing expertise. You could also mention any awards or accolades you have received for your work in the field and how many years of experience you have working with environmental regulations.
Below are some resume summary examples:
Reliable environmental technician with 5+ years of experience in hazardous waste management, soil and water sampling, air quality monitoring, and environmental compliance. At XYZ Corporation managed a team of seven technicians responsible for the collection/analysis of over 200 samples per month. Successfully implemented an automated system to improve data accuracy by 50%. Highly knowledgeable about OSHA standards and regulations related to industrial safety.
Dependable environmental technician with 4+ years of experience in hazardous waste management and disposal. Certified by the EPA for air testing, soil sampling, equipment maintenance, and emergency response procedures. Seeking to join ABC Environmental Services to improve safety standards and further develop my expertise. At XYZ Inc., reduced emissions from manufacturing processes by 33%, leading to a 15% decrease in pollution levels at local parks.
Well-rounded environmental technician with 7+ years of experience in environmental consulting, data analysis, and field work. At XYZ Consulting, managed 20 soil remediation projects from start to finish while developing cost-effective solutions for clients. Highly skilled at evaluating the safety and health risks associated with various hazardous materials. Received numerous awards for completing complex assignments on time and within budget.
Detail-oriented environmental technician with 3+ years of experience in hazardous waste management and environmental assessment. Proven skills in sampling, analysis, data entry, report writing and customer service. Seeking to join ABC Environment Services for its commitment to promoting sustainability initiatives across the country. At XYZ Technologies played an instrumental role in reducing the company’s carbon footprint by 18%.
Seasoned environmental technician with 10+ years of experience in hazardous waste management and environmental remediation. Skilled in laboratory testing, data analysis, and preparing reports for regulatory compliance. Adept at managing teams to ensure safety protocols are met while on-site surveys are conducted. Proven track record of success implementing cost-effective solutions that meet all EPA standards and regulations.
Driven environmental technician with 7+ years of experience in environmental compliance and data management. Experienced in preparing, reviewing, and analyzing water quality sampling results for various stakeholders. At XYZ Company conducted audits on over 40 sites to ensure compliance with EPA regulations. Led the development of a comprehensive database system that improved accuracy by 50% while reducing costs by 20%.
Accomplished environmental technician with 6+ years of experience in the field. Proven track record for successful sampling, testing and analysis across a variety of sites to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Seeking to join ABC Tech as an Environmental Technician to utilize my expertise in data collection and problem-solving abilities to protect our environment.
Talented environmental technician with 7+ years of experience in the field. Skilled at collecting and analyzing environmental samples, executing safety protocols, developing solutions for hazardous waste removal, and updating records. Seeking to join an organization such as ABC Environmental Services that is committed to protecting the environment through responsible practices.
2. Experience / Employment
In the experience/employment/work history section, you should provide details about your past jobs in reverse chronological order. This means that the most recent job is listed first.
Stick to bullet points when listing what you did, as this allows for easier reading and understanding of the information provided. When writing each point, include detail on what tasks were completed and any results achieved from those tasks.
For example, instead of saying “Conducted environmental assessments,” you could say, “Performed detailed site inspections according to EPA standards; identified hazardous materials present at sites resulting in successful clean-up efforts.”
To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:
- Monitored
- Collected
- Analyzed
- Assessed
- Investigated
- Operated
- Sampled
- Inspected
- Recorded
- Reported
- Evaluated
- Compiled
- Implemented
- Managed
- Researched
Other general verbs you can use are:
- Achieved
- Advised
- Coordinated
- Demonstrated
- Developed
- Expedited
- Facilitated
- Formulated
- Improved
- Introduced
- Mentored
- Optimized
- Participated
- Prepared
- Presented
- Reduced
- Reorganized
- Represented
- Revised
- Spearheaded
- Streamlined
- Structured
- Utilized
Below are some example bullet points:
- Presented detailed reports on environmental changes and contamination levels to management, resulting in a 42% reduction of hazardous chemicals usage over 6 months.
- Optimized wastewater treatment processes by monitoring pH & dissolved oxygen levels; increased system efficiency by 20%.
- Recorded data from various instruments such as water meters and gas analyzers for compliance with safety regulations; identified potential issues quickly, averting health hazards or costly repairs/replacements.
- Thoroughly inspected 10+ industrial sites per quarter to detect any air pollution sources or possible threats posed to the environment; raised awareness among personnel about best practices that reduce emissions and waste production significantly (30%).
- Compiled detailed daily log entries related to site visits, inspections results, equipment readings etc., providing an accurate record of all activities for use in future reference purposes if needed.
- Managed a team of 5 environmental technicians on a daily basis, coordinating and delegating tasks to ensure that all projects were completed within the specified timeframe.
- Demonstrated extensive knowledge of air quality regulations and emission control in order to develop viable strategies for reducing hazardous emissions by 27%.
- Accurately monitored & recorded data relating to water & soil pollution levels using advanced testing equipment; identified potential areas of contamination before they impacted public health or the environment.
- Prepared detailed reports outlining findings from investigations into various forms of contamination, as well as recommendations for corrective action; ensured compliance with applicable governmental standards at all times.
- Evaluated current trends in waste management practices, suggesting cost-effective solutions which resulted in a decrease in disposal costs by 16% over 3 months period.
- Proficiently operated a variety of environmental testing equipment and instruments to collect data samples from water, air and soil for analysis; increased the accuracy of test results by 20%.
- Inspected hazardous waste sites, industrial facilities and residential areas on a weekly basis to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations concerning emissions levels; identified potential violations in over 50% of inspections.
- Expedited laboratory analyses while also cataloging incoming materials according to established criteria; reduced turnaround time per sample report by 35 hours on average.
- Achieved full containment certification at 3 different municipal dump sites through diligent maintenance of safety protocols during clean-up operations involving hazardous chemicals & petroleum products.
- Improved safety awareness among clients regarding proper disposal methods for toxic substances via targeted public education programs which reached 600+ people annually across 5 states combined.
- Revised environmental policies and regulations to ensure compliance with local, state and federal laws; reduced risk of penalties or fines by 80%.
- Researched, collected & analyzed various environmental samples such as soil, water and air for data accuracy; identified hazardous pollutants in a 10 km radius area around the facility.
- Consistently monitored all machinery & equipment used during operations for potential safety hazards & emissions levels; decreased CO2 output by 40% over 6 months period.
- Reported findings from laboratory tests on an ongoing basis to supervisors regarding any environmental issues related to contamination or pollution control triggers that needed attention immediately.
- Analyzed complex datasets generated from sampling activities using statistical software programs to identify trends in contaminant levels over time within the site boundaries; implemented corrective measures accordingly resulting in improved air quality standards at the location by 60%.
- Reduced water usage at the facility by 15% through implementation of new technologies and strategies.
- Participated in sustainability initiatives to raise awareness about environmental issues, such as hosting workshops for local schools on recycling practices.
- Competently operated laboratory equipment for water testing, waste analysis and air monitoring; conducted over 500 sample tests with an accuracy rate of 92%.
- Streamlined data collection processes by developing a comprehensive database tracking system that saved 40 hours per month in administrative time spent manually entering records into spreadsheets.
- Utilized reporting software to generate reports analyzing trends related to compliance regulations, hazards identification & risk assessment which were shared with senior management monthly.
- Investigated and reported on hazardous waste sites and pollution sources, leading to the cleanup of 3 contaminated locations and reducing air pollutant levels by 23%.
- Developed detailed plans for activities such as energy conservation initiatives and habitat restoration projects; saved $10K in resource costs over 12 months.
- Monitored environmental conditions at multiple industrial facilities across the state, ensuring that regulations were adhered to 100% of the time; resolved 6 compliance issues within 1 year.
- Facilitated public education programs around sustainable practices, educating +200 people a month on topics related to climate change and waste management strategies; reduced household water consumption by 15%.
- Effectively communicated complex technical data into layman terms for different stakeholders including government officials, corporate leaders & local residents using various media tools like videos & infographics; increased awareness about green initiatives by 45%.
- Introduced innovative practices for environmental conservation and protection, such as the installation of water filtration systems in two local parks which reduced usage by 40%.
- Coordinated numerous soil testing projects to monitor levels of pollutants at various sites; identified high contamination risk areas and recommended effective treatment solutions.
- Formulated a comprehensive plan to reduce air pollution using green energy sources, resulting in a 15% reduction in emissions after three months of implementation.
- Reliably managed hazardous waste collection & disposal services while enforcing safety protocols at all times; decreased workplace injuries among co-workers by 22%.
- Mentored five junior technicians on safe chemical handling procedures and best practices when conducting field studies; trained staff achieved certification within 6 months over expected time frame.
3. Skills
Skill requirements will differ from one employer to the next; this can easily be ascertained from the job posting. Organization A may require experience with hazardous waste management, while Organization B may require knowledge of environmental regulations.
It is important to tailor the skills section of your resume for each job that you are applying for because many employers use applicant tracking systems these days, which scan resumes for certain keywords before passing them on to a human.
Once listed here, it’s also beneficial to elaborate on your most relevant qualifications in other areas such as the summary or experience sections.
Below is a list of common skills & terms:
- ArcGIS
- Communication
- Data Analysis
- Data Entry
- Ecology
- Environmental Awareness
- Environmental Compliance
- Environmental Consulting
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Environmental Management Systems
- Environmental Monitoring
- Environmental Policy
- Environmental Science
- Field Work
- GIS
- Geographic Information Systems
- Groundwater
- HAZWOPER
- Hazardous Waste Management
- Project Planning
- Remediation
- Report Writing
- Sampling
- Soil
- Soil Sampling
- Sustainability
- Team Leadership
- Teamwork
- Time Management
- Waste Management
- Water
- Water Quality
4. Education
Mentioning your education on your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you recently graduated and have no prior experience, list your education below the objective statement. However, if you have a lot of work history to showcase, including an education section may not be necessary at all.
If an education section is included, try to mention courses related to the environmental technician role for which you are applying.
Associate Degree in Environmental Science
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
5. Certifications
Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and proficiency in a certain field. They are also an excellent way to show potential employers that you have kept up with industry trends and standards, as well as having taken the initiative to gain additional qualifications.
If you possess any certifications related to the job role, make sure they are included on your resume so hiring managers can see them right away. This will help give you an edge over other applicants who may not be certified in the same area of expertise.
Certified Environmental Technician
National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)
May 2017
6. Contact Info
Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.
You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.
Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Afton Olson, this would be Afton-Olson-resume.pdf or Afton-Olson-resume.docx.
7. Cover Letter
Attaching a cover letter to your job application is a great way to make yourself stand out from other candidates. It’s an effective tool that provides recruiters with additional information about you and allows them to get a better understanding of who you are as a professional.
Cover letters usually consist of 2-4 paragraphs, separate from your resume, which provide more detail on why you’re the perfect fit for the role. They also give you the opportunity to show off your personality and explain what makes you unique in comparison to other applicants.
Below is an example cover letter:
Dear Jude,
I am writing to apply for the Environmental Technician position with Brown Company. I am a recent graduate of Northeastern University with a degree in Environmental Science and extensive experience working in environmental fieldwork and research.
In my previous role as an intern at the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, I assisted with water quality testing, streambank restoration projects, and invasive plant removal initiatives. My work on these projects has given me a strong foundation in environmental science principles that I can build upon in this role. In addition, my interpersonal skills have been honed through my interactions with project stakeholders, which will be beneficial in communicating project updates and results to clients.
As an Environmental Technician at Brown Company, I would be responsible for conducting site assessments, collecting samples for analysis, and preparing reports detailing findings. My education and experience have prepared me well for this type of work, and I am confident that I would be an asset to your team.
I look forward to speaking with you about this opportunity soon. Thank you for your time!
Sincerely,
Afton