Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
•   Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
•   Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
•   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Working Life

• Sampling, monitoring and analysis of wastewater treatment facilities

• Licensing and monitoring in respect of effluent.

• Monitoring/surveying of waste management facilities including recycling, compositing, transfer stations and landfill.

• Implementation of national legislative requirements, European Union (EU) Directives and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards regard to waste, surface water quality and wastewater;

• Investigation of environmental pollution incidents, evaluation and reporting; • Waste sampling and analysis.

• Monitoring, inspection and enforcement activities as per environmental and water services legislation. Preparation of litter and waste plans and investigation of complaints.

• Adherence to strict sampling and analytical protocols for the purpose of legal proceedings.

• Preparation of reports on implementation of EU Directives and interpretation/evaluation of results.

• Statutory and operational drinking water and wastewater sampling and analysis

• Water/wastewater laboratory analysis and maintenance.

• Compilation and submission of water/wastewater sampling results to EPA and Irish Water (IW)

• Co-ordination with Water/wastewater Caretakers on drinking water/wastewater issues.

• Sampling and analysis of surface water and small private regulated drinking water supplies.

• Cryptosporidium sampling

• Water and wastewater treatment process monitoring, diagnosis and optimisation.

• Interaction with the EPA in relation to water and wastewater treatment plant inspections/audits and subsequent follow ups.

• Incident reporting and follow up including interaction with Health Service Executive (HSE), EPA and Irish Water.

• Water and wastewater treatment plant chemical monitoring and ordering.

• Investigating and dealing with water/wastewater customer queries or complaints

• Monitoring and maintenance of critical water and wastewater treatment plant monitoring equipment/instrumentation.

• Sampling and analysis for well-grant and lead pipe replacement grant applications on a county wide basis.

• Undertaking inspections/audits of private Group Water Schemes and private regulated water supplies, and reporting and following up on same in order that required issues are addressed.

• Serving statutory notices in relation to breaches of water/wastewater legislation and where necessary assisting with prosecutions.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Maintain project logbook records or computer program files.
• Record laboratory or field data, including numerical data, test results, photographs, or summaries of visual observations.
• Perform environmental quality work in field or office settings.
• Produce environmental assessment reports, tabulating data and preparing charts, graphs, or sketches.
• Collect and analyse pollution samples, such as air or ground water.
• Decontaminate or test field equipment used to clean or test pollutants from soil, air, or water.
• Prepare and package environmental samples for shipping or testing.
• Maintain process parameters and evaluate process anomalies.
• Review technical documents to ensure completeness and conformance to requirements.
• Receive, set up, test, or decontaminate equipment.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

An Environmental Technician must have:

(a) (i) have passed the N.C.E.A. / H.E.T.A.C. National Certificate Final Examination in Science in Applied Biology, or in Science in Applied Chemistry, or Hold an equivalent qualification

and

(ii) Have at least three years satisfactory experience after attaining the qualification concerned Or Fulfill the following requirements

(b) Satisfactory relevant experience in a Technician post at Grade II level or in an analogous post under a Local authority or Health board in the State

and

(c) have at least three years satisfactory relevant experience in a technician post at Grade II level or in an analogous post,

or

(d) have satisfactory service, in a technician post at Grade I or higher level in an analogous post under a local authority or health board in the State. (b) Possess adequate training and/or experience relating to the control and supervision of staff.

-Hold a current full clean driving licence

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: applied biology, science, applied chemistry.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: applied biology, science, applied chemistry.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Lab Technician, Lab Analyst.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: applied biology, science, applied chemistry.

Search for CAO Courses

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €29k - €75k

Salaries vary based on location, duties, role, experience, and employer.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ CPL / Morgan McKinley/ Indeed/ Azon

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Design and development engineers; Production and process engineers; Quality control and planning engineers; Quality assurance and regulatory professionals; Environmental health professionals.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment grew strongly for this occupation between 2018 and 2021, although employment remained unchanged in the most recent time period. Almost three quarters were employed in industry. Despite the static employment levels in 2022, there was a significant increase in the number of employment permits issued between 2021 and 2022 (by 1,100), with the industrial sector accounting for half of the increase. Roles for which permits were issued included quality, process, and design engineers.

This occupation had the highest number of mentions of vacancies that were difficult to fill in the Recruitment Agency Survey, especially for quality control/assurance, compliance/regulatory and process engineering roles. Employers (through Skills for Growth and/or Spotlight on Skills) have cited roles in design engineering (with specific industry knowledge), quality control and production engineers as being difficult to fill. Demand continues to be strong for this occupation despite static employment levels and issues with recruiting suitably qualified/experienced candidates for these roles are likely to persist. 

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

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