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Career Explorations - Environmental, Natural Resources & Agriculture
About This Cluster: 
The Environmental, Natural Resources & Agriculture Cluster includes
jobs in which workers improve the environment, reduce wastes and byproducts,
manage forests and land, produce food from the land and sea, and nurture
animals. Many of these jobs are in owner-operated businesses where it
is important to understand how all the parts of the businesses operate.
In a small business, it may be necessary to take on many different responsibilities.
Many jobs also exist in highly regulated industries, under strict government
controls.
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Types of Jobs and Where They Are
- Environmental field technicians take samples to evaluate
and document existing situations. They may take air samples, water
or soil
samples or sound level measurements; chronicle events, observe animal
movements or help engineers or scientists. The ability to be observant
and precise in documenting data is essential. Field technicians may
work in uncomfortable weather conditions.
- Agricultural/Horticultural
technicians comprise the broadest category in this cluster. They work
in natural systems, growing, nurturing,
and harvesting plant, animal, or sea life. These jobs involves patience,
caring and sensitivity to life and what nurtures it. Agricultural/horticultural
technicians must have good zoological, botanical, agricultural or
aquacultural knowledge. Much of the work takes place outdoors, regardless
of the weather.
- Instrument technicians service and calibrate recording
and control equipment. In addition, they may also perform laboratory
analysis
requiring the use of advanced instruments. Such work requires patience
and the ability to determine the correct methods to use as well
as the ability to precisely follow sequences of instruction.
- Regulatory information
technicians perform two vital functions — they
chronicle regulatory developments and programs that govern their
operations and they assemble and submit that data in an accurate
and timely manner.
Attention to detail is an asset, along with computer knowledge and
interpersonal skills.
- Regulatory compliance technicians use information
gathered by regulatory information technicians and determine what
remedies are necessary.
Such tasks require attention to detail, knowledge of regulations,
the ability to interpret regulatory requirements, and the ability
to perform precise mathematical computations.
- Treatment process technicians
remedy existing problems such as pollution. They operate, troubleshoot
and maintain the chemical, physical and
biological processes that are used to treat waste streams or contamination.
Often such work entails working on roofs, in basements, or in the
heat of summer or cold of winter.
- Site remedy technicians work with
toxic and hazardous materials. Specific training is necessary to
perform these jobs. Attention
to detail,
the ability to follow precise protocols, and the ability to listen
and understand under stressful conditions are all necessary attributes.
Work is usually performed outside, in all weather and at all times
of the day.
To give students a picture of the exciting
career opportunities in the state, we filmed people at work in a variety
of careers in member companies and agencies throughout the state. The
careers highlighted in the videos included jobs for graduating high
school students, people with 2-year, 4-year
and
advanced
degrees.
Examples of jobs highlighted in the videos are: Teacher's
Aide in an Aquaculture School;
Computer-Aided
Design Drafter; Assistant
Grower; and Marine
Biologist.
There is also a video available for this
cluster that includes work site footage and interviews from the following
companies: Imperial Nurseries Inc., Malcolm Pirnie, Millstone Nuclear
Power Station of the Northeast Utilities System and the Bridgeport Regional
Vocational Aquaculture School.
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SPECIAL: Science
Careers for Students with Associate Degrees
All of the careers listed here are in high demand - an associate's
degree with the right classes will qualify you for any of these jobs
in environmental, natural resources, and agriculture. Click on the highlighted
words to see what skills are needed for each job, how much they pay,
and people you can contact for more information.
Examples of jobs in this area are: Environmental
Field Technicians, Instrument Technicians, Regulatory Compliance Technicians
and Agriculture/Horticulture Technicians.
So if you're interested in finding a
good job when you get out of school, but don't know what kind of job
you want, or what type of education you need for it, click
here.
Prospects for the Future
The number of jobs in this cluster continues to increase, particularly
in jobs that require maintaining water and land quality and monitoring
and controlling environmental risks.
Almost all manufacturing businesses
in the state — including
the energy utilities, pharmaceutical, chemical, metallurgical and fabricating
companies, and municipalities — need help in complying with the
increasing number of state and federal environmental laws and regulations.
Indoor
and outdoor environments require evaluation, remedy and maintenance.
Risk assessment of wastes, including their control and reduction,
is becoming of vital importance, as is the management and disposal of
byproducts
of the industries mentioned above.
Farming and fishing industries are
also part of the Connecticut labor market, with specialized farms
producing fruit, vegetables and plants
and raising animals. Veterinarians and their assistants are needed
to take care of an increasing animal population.
Job opportunities
in the agricultural and horticultural fields are excellent. Currently
there is a shortfall of recent college graduates with degrees
in this growing industry. Excellent opportunities exist for horticultural
specialists, pest-management specialists and technicians, and food
scientists. Many opportunities also exist for people trained in
other clusters to work in this field, such as managers and financial
specialists.
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Educational Background Needed
As in the manufacturing sector, some entry-level jobs in this cluster — such
as in farming, commercial fishing, and landscape and lawn care — might
be appropriate for high school graduates. However, most jobs in this
cluster require people with at least a college associate’s degree
or specialized training. In many cases, state and federal regulations
require specialized training and certification.
The high school academic background needed for most jobs in this cluster
should emphasize courses in biology, chemistry, physical sciences and
math, as well as interpersonal skills.
The Regional Vocational Agricultural Centers already offer courses
in environmental science and modern methods of agriculture and animal
care, which can serve as a basis for the high school curriculum as well.
In addition, computer literacy is essential.
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Kinds of People Who Work in This Cluster
Jobs in This Cluster Often Appeal to People Who:
•
Enjoy a challenge
•
Like being outdoors
•
Are comfortable working independently
•
Feel strongly about protecting the environment and improving the quality
of life
•
Like collecting data and using scientific principles to solve problems
•
Like animals or plants
•
Are patient enough to follow through on a project that may take months
or even years to complete
Characteristics and Skills Vital for Advancement
Employers and experts cite the following practical and academic skills
as keys to advancement in the Environmental, Natural Resources & Agriculture Cluster
and all job clusters. (Download
the Industry Skills Standards for Environmental, Natural Resources & Agriculture -
15 page PDF file)
• Strong literacy and excellent communication skills
•
State-of-the-art computer and technology skills
•
Strong math and science skills
•
Teamwork skills
•
Flexibility and desire to learn new skills
•
Cross-functionalism: the ability to transfer skills and learn new ones in order
to perform many functions in the workplace
•
Multicultural awareness
•
Fluency in at least one other language, in some fields
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Education Requirements and Average Salary Levels
Note: All salary ranges listed are current industry averages. Actual
jobs may pay more or less depending on a number of factors.
Level
of attainment: High school diploma, college associate’s
degree, or specialized training:
- Environmental Field Technician $28,000 - $42,000
(Environmental measurements and analysis technician, conservation
forestry technician, lead/asbestos/PCB technician)
- Instrument Technician $25,000 - $37,000
(Air quality/instrumental/optical lab analyst, instrument technician,
soil solids/water quality, wet chemical lab analyst)
- Regulatory Information
Technician $29,000 - $53,000 (Database specialist, reporting specialist)
- Treatment
Process Technician $22,000 - $30,000
(Biotreatment technician, hazardous materials operations)
- Regulatory
Compliance Technician $31,000 - $42,000
(Compliance auditor, enforcement/field inspector, health and safety
inspector (OSHA, DOT, EPA risk management technician, sanitarian)
- Agriculture/Horticulture
Technician $33,000-$60,000
(Animal care/agriculture technician, aquaculture/hydroponics technician,
biological/horticulture/natural resources technician,
food scientist and nutritionist, pesticide/herbicide/fertilizer
applicator)
- Site Remediation Technician $26,000 - $42,000
(Hazmat cleanup technician, hazmat response technician)
For Bachelor’s, Masters or Doctorate Degrees/Other Professional
Degrees & Certificates
-
Scientists and Technologists
Bachelor’s Degree $31,000 - $43,000
(Certified site professional (federal/state program in place, environmental
analyst, environmental auditor, air/waste/water analyst, pollution
prevention specialist, environmental laboratory technologist, conservation
scientist, risk and hazard evaluator, air quality technologist,
compost scientist, recycling and recovery specialist)
Master’s
Degree (Desirable) $36,000 - $52,000
(Biologist (specializing in wildlife or fisheries), ecologist,
biochemist, geologist, geophysicist, geographic information
specialist, entomologist, forest manager, pest management
specialist, horticultural scientist, soil scientist, animal reproduction
physiologist, hydrogeologist/hydrologist, oceanographer, toxicologist,
epidemiologist, botanist, marine biologist)
-
Environmental Professionals
Bachelor’s Degree $31,000 - $61,000
(Design engineer, agricultural engineer, hazardous & solid
waste engineer, civil/mechanical/loss control/energy/risk/natural
resources/environmental engineer)
Master’s Degree (Desirable)
$36,000 - $67,000
(Chemical/pollution control/sanitary/geophysical/ocean engineer)
-
Health
and Safety Specialists
Bachelor’s Degree $42,000 - $63,000
(Safety and health manager, occupational heath and safety technologist,
industrial hygienist, lead abatement personnel, sanitarian,
ergonomist, hazmat specialist, acoustical engineer, industrial
health nurse,
safety engineer, chemical/waste & water analyst)
Master’s
Degree (Desirable) $48,000 - $71,000
(Health physicist)
-
Agricultural Professionals
Bachelor’s Degree $23,000 - $81,000
(Veterinary inspector, agricultural economist, landscape designer/nursery
greenhouse professional, animal scientist, agricultural
biochemist, horticulturist, agricultural engineer, agricultural
biotechnologist)
Master’s Degree (Desirable) $40,000 - $92,000
(Financial manager, nutritionist, high school/post-secondary school
educator, extension agent aquaculturalist)
-
Sales and Marketing
Bachelor’s Degree $40,000 - $67,000
(International sales officer, sales engineer/retail/wholesale/
export sales manager, food system salesperson, market
analyst, purchasing manager)
-
Legal, Regulatory and Financial
Bachelor’s Degree $31,000 - $59,000
(Credit/financial analyst, economist, government relations officer,
policy analyst, agricultural economist)
Master’s Degree
(Desirable) $38,000 - $84,000
(Risk manager)
-
Law Degree (J.D. and Admission to Bar) $49,000 -
$106,000
Attorney (experience in environment, labor, export & trade
law)
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Additional Resources
Environmental, Natural Resources & Agriculture Career
Explorations Video
Teacher's
Guide for Careers in Environmental, Natural Resources & Agriculture (PDF
file)
Student
Activity Sheets for Careers in Environmental, Natural Resources & Agriculture (PDF
file)
Industry
Skills Standards booklet (Environmental, Natural Resources & Agriculture section only) (PDF file)
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