Environmental technician
Environmental technicians plan and run systems that clean water, recycle waste or keep the air clean. Here technology is used directly to protect the environment and the climate.
Typical tasks
- planning and monitoring systems for treating water, waste or exhaust air
- taking samples and analysing measurements
- checking that environmental regulations are followed
- improving processes so that less energy and material is used
- writing reports and advising companies
Where people work
Environmental technicians work at sewage treatment and recycling plants, in engineering consultancies, in industry, for municipalities and regional governments, and in research institutions.
A good fit if
- the environment and the climate matter to you
- you find chemistry, biology or physics exciting
- you like measuring carefully and comparing results
- you want to organise and put solutions into practice
Education pathways in Austria
In Austria you can get into this job through an HTL (higher technical college) specialising in environmental or process engineering, a degree at an FH (university of applied sciences) or a technical or science degree at a university. In Germany the equivalent is the Fachoberschule Technik, a Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften or a university, in Switzerland the Berufsmaturität Technik, a Fachhochschule or a university or ETH.
- HTL (Höhere Technische Lehranstalt)
- Matura and technical vocational training in one. 5 years
- Fachhochschule (FH)
- Practice-oriented degree, often with an internship. 3-year bachelor
- Universität
- Academic degree: bachelor, master or diploma. 3 to 6 years
Matching schools in Austria
A selection from our school list. Not every school of this type offers every specialisation, so ask the school directly.
- HTL PinkafeldHTL, 7423 Pinkafeld, BurgenlandCollected automaticallySource: initial collection from public information, as of Oktober 2026
- HTL MössingerstraßeHTL, 9020 Klagenfurt, KärntenCollected automaticallySource: initial collection from public information, as of Oktober 2026
- HTL MödlingHTL, 2340 Mödling, NiederösterreichCollected automaticallySource: initial collection from public information, as of Oktober 2026
- HTL LeondingHTL, 4060 Leonding, OberösterreichCollected automaticallySource: initial collection from public information, as of Oktober 2026
- HTL SalzburgHTL, 5020 Salzburg, SalzburgCollected automaticallySource: initial collection from public information, as of Oktober 2026
- HTL BULME Graz-GöstingHTL, 8051 Graz, SteiermarkCollected automaticallySource: initial collection from public information, as of Oktober 2026
- HTL AnichstraßeHTL, 6020 Innsbruck, TirolCollected automaticallySource: initial collection from public information, as of Oktober 2026
- HTL DornbirnHTL, 6850 Dornbirn, VorarlbergCollected automaticallySource: initial collection from public information, as of Oktober 2026
Frequently asked questions
Is it more lab work or more outdoors?
Both. Depending on the job you work more in an office, in a lab or directly at the plants.
Do I need chemistry?
Basic knowledge of chemistry and biology is important. You deepen it during your training.
Is there an apprenticeship for it?
For related tasks there are apprenticeships, for example in wastewater or waste management technology. Planning and management roles usually require an HTL or a degree.
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