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>Environmental Service Systems
>Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Majors
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
Overview
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
Identify, remove, pack, transport, or dispose of hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead-based paint, waste oil, fuel, transmission fluid, radioactive materials, or contaminated soil. Specialized training and certification in hazardous materials handling or a confined entry permit are generally required. May operate earth-moving equipment or trucks.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $30K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $36K
Median Salary: $45K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $58K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $76K
Demand
Core Tasks
Build containment areas prior to beginning abatement or decontamination work.
Identify asbestos, lead, or other hazardous materials to be removed, using monitoring devices.
Remove asbestos or lead from surfaces, using hand or power tools such as scrapers, vacuums, or high-pressure sprayers.
Prepare hazardous material for removal or storage.
Comply with prescribed safety procedures or federal laws regulating waste disposal methods.
Record numbers of containers stored at disposal sites, specifying amounts or types of equipment or waste disposed.
Sort specialized hazardous waste at landfills or disposal centers, following proper disposal procedures.
Drive trucks or other heavy equipment to convey contaminated waste to designated sea or ground locations.
Operate cranes to move or load baskets, casks, or canisters.
Load or unload materials into containers or onto trucks, using hoists or forklifts.
Identify or separate waste products or materials for recycling or reuse.
Clean contaminated equipment or areas for reuse, using detergents or solvents, sandblasters, filter pumps, or steam cleaners.
Remove or limit contamination following emergencies involving hazardous substances.
Clean mold-contaminated sites by removing damaged porous materials or thoroughly cleaning all contaminated nonporous materials.
Operate machines or equipment to remove, package, store, or transport loads of waste materials.
Upload baskets of irradiated elements onto machines that insert fuel elements into canisters and secure lids.
Process e-waste, such as computer components containing lead or mercury.
Mix or pour concrete into forms to encase waste material for disposal.
Organize or track the locations of hazardous items in landfills.
Apply bioremediation techniques to hazardous wastes to allow naturally occurring bacteria to break down toxic substances.
Package, store, or move irradiated fuel elements in the underwater storage basins of nuclear reactor plants, using machines or equipment.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Public Safety and Security
72%
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Administration and Management
70%
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Transportation
69%
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Customer and Personal Service
68%
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Building and Construction
65%
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
English Language
62%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mechanical
62%
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Mathematics
57%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Chemistry
52%
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Clerical
52%
Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Top 10 Skills
Monitoring
73%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking
70%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operation and Control
68%
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Active Listening
65%
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Operations Monitoring
65%
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Reading Comprehension
63%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking
63%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Learning
60%
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Complex Problem Solving
60%
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Coordination
60%
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Top 10 Abilities
Problem Sensitivity
80%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Oral Comprehension
78%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Control Precision
75%
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Near Vision
73%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Expression
73%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Arm-Hand Steadiness
70%
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Category Flexibility
70%
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Deductive Reasoning
70%
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Speech Recognition
70%
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Written Expression
70%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Top 10 Work Activities
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
82%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Getting Information
79%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
79%
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Performing General Physical Activities
79%
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Handling and Moving Objects
77%
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
76%
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
76%
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
74%
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
74%
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
72%
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Detailed Work Activities
Prepare hazardous waste for processing or disposal.
Record operational or environmental data.
Drive trucks or truck-mounted equipment.
Load or unload materials used in construction or extraction.
Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
Decontaminate equipment or sites to remove hazardous or toxic substances.
Inspect work sites to identify potential environmental or safety hazards.
Mix substances or compounds needed for work activities.
Pour materials into or on designated areas.
Apply new technologies to improve work processes.
Assemble temporary equipment or structures.
Work Context
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
How much does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Responsible for Others' Health and Safety
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Work With Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
Frequency of Decision Making
How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
Education
Interests
Realistic
96%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional
53%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Investigative
43%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Enterprising
34%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Social
24%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Artistic
15%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Top 10 Work Styles
Cooperation
90%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Attention to Detail
89%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability
89%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Self Control
87%
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Adaptability/Flexibility
84%
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Integrity
83%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Stress Tolerance
82%
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Concern for Others
81%
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Achievement/Effort
79%
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Analytical Thinking
79%
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Work Values
Support
91%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
53%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Relationships
53%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Working Conditions
46%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Achievement
39%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition
34%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
