Will AI replace Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians?
Estimated risk score: 52 out of 100
Moderate replacement risk
Estimate from published task research, not reviewed by a person · how we estimate
Within about 19 points for 4 in 5 of the jobs we checked (33 to 71).
For the occupation as a whole, from ratings of its 26 O*NET tasks published in 2023 and calibrated to our hand scores. A specialty inside it can sit higher or lower.
O*NET-SOC 17-3025.00 · Architecture and Engineering
Tasks rated in 2023 as ones AI could do or speed up
Tasks a GPT-4-class model could do, or do in half the time or less: 6 of its 26 rated tasks. In O*NET’s words.
- Maintain project logbook records or computer program files.
- Review technical documents to ensure completeness and conformance to requirements.
- Produce environmental assessment reports, tabulating data and preparing charts, graphs, or sketches.
- Record laboratory or field data, including numerical data, test results, photographs, or summaries of visual observations.
- Obtain product information, identify vendors or suppliers, or order materials or equipment to maintain inventory.
- Perform statistical analysis and correction of air or water pollution data submitted by industry or other agencies.
Tasks rated in 2023 as not sped up by AI
Tasks such a model was rated as not speeding up or taking over: 7 of its 26 rated tasks; the first 6 are shown. In O*NET’s words.
- 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.
- Receive, set up, test, or decontaminate equipment.
- Collect and analyze pollution samples, such as air or ground water.
- Assist in the cleanup of hazardous material spills.
- Arrange for the disposal of lead, asbestos, or other hazardous materials.
What the job is
Apply theory and principles of environmental engineering to modify, test, and operate equipment and devices used in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental problems, including waste treatment and site remediation, under the direction of engineering staff or scientists. May assist in the development of environmental remediation devices.
Also called: Environmental Field Technician, Haz Tech (Hazardous Technician), Air Quality Instrument Specialist, Haz Tech, Intake Tech, Air Technician, Emissions Tech, Soil Technician.
Related jobs, estimated
Source. This site includes information from the O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. (O*NET, CC BY 4.0.) Task ratings: Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock (2023), “GPTs are GPTs: An Early Look at the Labor Market Impact Potential of Large Language Models”, data used under the MIT licence (licence texts). Our change: we averaged the ratings over this occupation’s tasks and calibrated them to our 0–100 scale. It is not a prediction about any one person and not career advice. Disagree? Write to hello@yourstopwashit.com. How we estimate