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Environmental Science Technician

Environment

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.

You can enter this career straight after SPM. A degree is optional, not required.

Science

What you'd do all day

The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.

  1. 1Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
  2. 2Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.
  3. 3Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
  4. 4Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
  5. 5Discuss test results and analyses with customers.
  6. 6Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.
  7. 7Initiate procedures to close down or fine establishments violating environmental or health regulations.
  8. 8Weigh, analyze, or measure collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants.
  9. 9Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.
  10. 10Provide 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.
  11. 11Maintain files, such as hazardous waste databases, chemical usage data, personnel exposure information, or diagrams showing equipment locations.
  12. 12Inspect sanitary conditions at public facilities.
  13. 13Set up equipment or stations to monitor and collect pollutants from sites, such as smoke stacks, manufacturing plants, or mechanical equipment.
  14. 14Develop or implement programs for monitoring of environmental pollution or radiation.
  15. 15Monitor emission control devices to ensure they are operating properly and comply with state and federal regulations.
  16. 16Make recommendations to control or eliminate unsafe conditions at workplaces or public facilities.
  17. 17Calculate amount of pollutant in samples or compute air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes, using chemical and mathematical formulas.
  18. 18Develop testing procedures.
  19. 19Perform statistical analysis of environmental data.
  20. 20Determine amounts and kinds of chemicals to use in destroying harmful organisms or removing impurities from purification systems.
  21. 21Develop or implement site recycling or hazardous waste stream programs.
  22. 22Examine and analyze material for presence and concentration of contaminants, such as asbestos, using variety of microscopes.
  23. 23Analyze potential environmental impacts of production process changes, and recommend steps to mitigate negative impacts.
  24. 24Direct activities of workers in laboratory.
  25. 25Distribute permits, closure plans, or cleanup plans.

Also known as

What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.

  • EHO
  • Smog Tech
  • Sanitarian
  • Air Analyst
  • Sample Tech
  • LUST Remover
  • Smoke Tester
  • Soil Analyst
  • Biotechnician
  • Lab Assistant

How far is this from you?

Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.

  1. 1

    Entry straight after SPM

  2. 2

    SPM + sijil / short TVET course

  3. 3

    Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)

  4. Typical entry

    Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)

  5. 5

    Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route

Typical educationBachelor's degree

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

ChemistryDraws directly on Chemistry — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
EnglishDraws directly on English Language — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
BiologyDraws directly on Biology — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Additional ScienceDraws directly on Biology — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
History (Sejarah)Draws directly on Law and Government — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).

What you'd need to know

The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.

  • Customer and Personal Service73%
  • Chemistry70%

    Chemistry

  • English Language70%

    English

  • Biology69%

    BiologyAdditional Science

  • Law and Government68%

    History (Sejarah)

  • Computers and Electronics67%

    Computer Science / ICTElectrical & Electronic Eng. Studies

Tools you'd use

Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.

Where to learn these, free

Scholarships & funding

What the work feels like

Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.

  • Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
  • Contact with other peopleConstant contact
  • Dealing with customers or the publicHigh
  • Leading or coordinating othersHigh
  • Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
  • Time walking or movingA little
  • Hands-on work with tools or objectsA little
  • Time pressure and deadlinesOften

AI and demand for this job

A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.

24%

Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)

This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.

Pay in Malaysia

We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.

Where to check:

  • JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
  • DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
  • SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post

Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

Check my eligibility Not sure yet? Take the quiz

How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

Matriculation

One or two years, heavily subsidised with allowance. Competitive, quota-based entry.

12–24 months

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

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About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

O*NET occupation: Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org

Programmes that lead here

Programmes from the official UPU (KPT) and MQA catalogues whose field of study typically leads to this career. Matched by field, not a job guarantee.

Public universities (UPU)

Private institutions (MQA-accredited)

Search the programme catalogue