As an Environmental Technician, you will work to prevent environmental problems, resolve environmental issues when necessary, and provide education to the public.
Program Highlights
Here's your chance to protect the environment.
Through a wide range of activities and courses, you'll be well-prepared to monitor and improve the natural environment. With access to outstanding environmental training facilities and a biological water treatment system, your hands-on training will be an excellent complement to your in-class courses.
Of course, everyone loves the field school in semester three - off-campus - where you put your skills into practice. You'll learn from Fleming professors who have been very active in the field and possess strong backgrounds in several environmental disciplines. For example, they have been involved in local and international projects including stream rehabilitation and the development of a new, natural biological wastewater treatment system in Mexico. These experiences have led to the development of new course content that guides students to investigate new and natural methods of treating wastewater and practical methods of land rehabilitation.
The Environmental Technician program is currently in the process of introducing "learning competencies" into the curriculum. It is anticipated that students will have the opportunity to demonstrate mastery in selected applications/modules and participate in the validation of these "learning competencies" on an optional basis. Successful completion of these modules will be recognized by the program.
Our Environmental Technician program has achieved accreditation by the Canadian Environmental Accreditation Commission(CEAC), a standing committee of Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada. Fleming College is one of six post secondary institutions chosen to participate in this pilot accreditation process, and one of only three colleges to achieve this program accreditation to date. "ECO Canada accreditation sends a clear signal to industry that graduates of these programs have the desired knowledge and competence to meet growing needs of the environmental sector," says Michael Kerford, Vice President ECO Canada (July 2010).
Why Choose Fleming
- There's no other program like it in the country - your learning experience will be enhanced by the Solar Ecology Wastewater Treatment System (SES), a unique training facility for operating and testing small-scale wetland treatment systems
- You will have the opportunity to utilize the SES as part of your applied learning
- Students may also have the opportunity to assist researchers in the college's Centre for Alternative Wastewater Treatment (CAWT) - the focus of this nationally-accredited facility is the development of wastewater treatment technologies for use in northern climates
- Graduates of the Environmental Technician Program who successfully complete the Water Treatment and Pollution Control course will have met the requirements of the Ministry of the Environment Entry-Level Course for Drinking Water Operators (which must be obtained in order to be employed as a Drinking Water Operator). This course is delivered by Fleming College in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment and the Walkerton Clean Water Centre
- Graduates will also obtain four Ministry of the Environment Operator-in-Training (OIT) certificates required for employment in the water and wastewater treatment disciplines
- Students are eligible for a number of environmental certifications including CCEP (Canadian Certified Environmental Practitioner) and CEPIT (Canadian Certified Environmental Practitioner-in-Training) through ECO Canada (Environmental Careers Organization)
- Graduates are eligible for certification as C. Tech. (Certified Technician) through the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT)
- We are the only college (or university, for that matter) to receive provincial funding to establish a simulated landfill site.
- Our grads are highly regarded by employers in the field.
Common First Semester
Students in our School’s diploma programs take the same courses for first semester after choosing and being accepted into one of our programs. This common focus exposes you to a variety of career options and other programs. You will have the freedom to explore and obtain a multidisciplinary perspective, while you acquire a base of knowledge and fundamental skills.
Although students are accepted into a specific program for their first semester, the common first semester allows you to change direction if you find another program or career area is more appealing. Once you have successfully completed the common first semester, you can enter the program of your choice in second semester, subject to enrolment capacity.
Work Experience
Textbooks are not enough when it comes to preparing capable technicians for the field. You'll have plenty of hands-on experience through the use of our specialized facilities, and you will work with others as a team during the field school off-campus. You will also participate in a multitude of field trips to both outdoor settings and industrial/municipal facilities.
Is this You?
Obviously, you've got to enjoy working outdoors. Previous experience working for or volunteering with environmental organizations of any kind is an asset. You should also possess:
- good oral and written communication skills
- research skills
- technical writing skills
- attention to detail
- analytical ability
- flexibility in work environment
- interest in the outdoors and protecting/improving the environment
Employment in this environmental discipline often involves wearing specialized equipment (such as chest waders) to carry out specific tasks, lifting (such as outboard motors), working with pumps and motors, walking in rough terrain to conduct wetland evaluation, marsh and forest bird surveys, and working in inclement weather, such as during oil spill cleanup, winter and rainy conditions.
Career Opportunities
Our graduates have found themselves in a wide range of environmental careers, including:
- watershed technician
- environmental technician
- environmental officers
- special environment "Sector Compliance" team
- groundwater technician
- industrial and municipal water/wastewater plant operators
- soil/terrain specialist
- water quality technician
The employment level is consistently very high with recent graduates finding work across Canada and around the world in the public and private sectors. Employers include government ministries/departments, regulatory agencies, environmental consultants, non-governmental or non-profit organizations, and urban/rural planners.
Minimum Admission Requirements
OSSD with the majority of credits at the College (C) and Open (O) level, including:
- 2 College (C) English courses (Grade 11 or Grade 12)
- 2 College (C) Math courses (Grade 11 or Grade 12)
When (C) is the minimum course level for admission, (U) or (U/C) courses are also accepted.
*Students starting in January are required to attend over the summer semester.
Mature Students
If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission. Additional testing or academic upgrading may be necessary to meet specific course requirements for this program.
Advanced Standing
Are you a university graduate with a Bachelor of Science or Environmental Studies degree? You may be eligible for advanced standing to enter this program in semester three. For details, see:
Environmental Technician - Advanced Standing
Related Programs
Graduates of the Environmental Technician program are qualified to continue their education in the Technology program. You might also want to check out the Ecosystem Management, Fish and Wildlife Technician or another of our two-year diploma programs. In just two more semesters, you can obtain another Technician diploma, expand your career opportunities and graduate with a dual diploma.
Additional Costs
In addition, plan on spending about $750 in the first year and $525 in the second year for books, supplies and field schools.
Transfer Agreements
- Athabasca University
- Royal Roads University - Victoria, B.C.
- University of New Brunswick
- University of Ontario Institute of Technology
For more information see the Pathways to University page.
Every attempt is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on our website and in our publications. The College reserves the right to modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable, or campus location at any time.