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Environmental Technician

EVTNSchool of Environmental Studies

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Key Details

Program Start Dates

September 2025

Please visit Ontario College Application Service to learn more about start dates.

Program Delivery

Campus / Full-time

Credential

Ontario College Diploma

Program Duration

5 Semesters / 2 Years

Program Contacts

Darryl Edwards

Program Coordinator / Professor

Send email
705-566-8101 ext.7256
International Admissions
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Program Overview

A student stands in a wetland holding a net, wearing a green hoodie, waders, and an orange safety vest, surrounded by greenery.

Passionate about climate change, water conservation and sustainability? Take action!

Turn your passion for the environment into a career that protects and restores our natural surroundings. Gain the technical skills and practical field experience to identify, measure, and record environmental variables within the air, water, soil, and living organisms. You’ll use state-of-the-art equipment to evaluate and monitor contaminated ecosystems. You’ll develop your technical writing skills to analyze, interpret, and evaluate field data while building your knowledge of environmental regulations and policies.  

With a focus on monitoring industrial activities, you’ll explore air quality issues, land restoration, and water conservation, preparing you for careers with industries required to comply with environmental regulations.  

Program Highlights

Program highlights

  • Analyze, interpret, and evaluate air, water, soil, and ecological field data 
  • Develop your technical writing skills 
  • Potential to earn National Green Check certification 
  • Real-world experience during a four-week internship 
  • Prepare to write the Ministry’s Operator-in-Training (OIT) certification test for water treatment and distribution 

Admissions

Admission requirements

For graduates of the new curriculum (OSS): Ontario Secondary School Diploma (30 credits) or equivalent or mature student status, including:

  • Any grade 12 English (C) or (U)
  • Any grade 11 mathematics (C), (U), or (M)

International Student Admissions

Are you an international student? Learn more about additional requirements.

Learn more

Additional admission requirements

Recommendations

  • Any grade 11 chemistry (U) or grade 12 chemistry (U) or (C) or any grade 11 biology (U) or (C) or grade 12 biology (U)

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Academic Upgrading

Are you missing admission requirements? Strengthen your academic skills for free at your own pace through Academic Upgrading!

Program delivery

Program delivery

2025-2026

Fall term start

  • Semester 1: Fall 2025
  • Semester 2: Winter 2026
  • Semester 3: Fall 2026
  • Semester 4: Winter 2027
  • Semester 5: Spring 2027

Program of Study

Program of study for 2025-26 Academic Year 

Students are required to successfully complete an online Lab Safety course (in Moodle) when starting their program at Cambrian.  This course must be completed prior to entering the labs (as identified in the table below) in the Schools of Skills Training, Engineering Technology and Environmental Studies.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Credits
ECO 1000Principles of Ecology 13
ENV 1007Biodiversity Fundamentals 13
ENV 1008Water Properties and Monitoring 13
CMP 1011Computer Applications3
MTH 1003Math I3
CHM 1005Chemistry Fundamentals 13
ENG 1002College Communications3
 Credits21
Semester 2
ENV 1013Principles of Natural Resources Management3
ENV 1015Environmental Microbiology & Toxicology 13
ENV 1018Data Management4
INT 1009Intro to Instrumentation 14
TEC 1000Technical Reporting2
One General Education Course. 23
 Credits19
Semester 3
ENV 1009Air Properties and Monitoring 13
ENV 1011Soil Science 13
CAD 1100Computer-Aided Drafting I2
CHM 1012Environmental Chemistry 13
ECO 1002Solid Waste Management3
WTR 1000Water Remediation Techniques3
One General Education course. 23
 Credits20
Semester 4
GIS 1000GIS Applications3
ECO 1001Ecosystem Restoration 13
ENV 1028Advanced Air Monitoring 13
ENV 1126Industrial Env Applications3
WHS 1000Environmental Workplace Safety3
One General Education Course. 23
 Credits18
Semester 5
ENV 1019Field Placement4
 Credits4
 Total Credits82
1

Course with Lab Component.

2

For more information regarding General Education courses, click here.

Fees

Tuition Cost

Canadian Students

$3,787.11Estimated first year costView fee breakdown

International Students

$16,820.66Estimated first year costView fee breakdown

Important Notice

Fees presented are estimates based on projections for future academic year(s) of study. Actual fees charged may differ from what is published here. A full detailed listing of all fees is available in myCambrian and updated annually no later than May 1 for the following academic year. Students in Academic Upgrading are responsible for any fees listed on their invoice each term.

Tuition and ancillary fees

Please see our fees page for the breakdown of tuition and mandatory ancillary fees by program and semester for both domestic and international students.

Books and supplies

Books and supplies may be required at the course level over and above what is estimated above. Please consult your professor/instructor for further information.

College may be more affordable than you think!

Have you said, “school can wait another year”? Don’t sacrifice your future any longer – you can do it!

Whether it’s fear, financial reasons, or something else that is impacting your decision to start school, we’re here to listen to you and help in any way we can!

Work-integrated learning (WIL)

Take your education beyond the classroom!

Cambrian programs blend academic learning, hands-on training, and community involvement opportunities to help you achieve your ultimate goal – your dream career. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios within and outside of the classroom through work-integrated learning. Whether it be a capstone project, co-op, practicum, preceptorship component, or placement, you’ll benefit from a practical, job-related experience before you graduate.

Field of Study

School of Environmental Studies

At Cambrian, green is not just a colour — it’s a commitment. Our School of Environmental Studies lays the groundwork for a career dedicated to the health of the environment. Learn first hand from professors active in the field while gaining the hands-on skills you need to practice biodiversity conservation and promote ecosystem sustainability. You’ll be part of a team that shapes a future where environmental responsibility is the norm.

Learn more

Specific program pathways

Algoma University – advanced standing opportunity

Graduates of this program meeting a 3.0 GPA requirement will receive 45 transfer credits towards the Bachelor of Arts in Geography degree program at Algoma University.

Atlantic Technological University (Ireland) – advanced standing opportunity

Graduates of this program meeting a 2.0 GPA requirement will be eligible to enter into third year of the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Protection degree program, with the opportunity to progress into the Honours Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science program at the Atlantic Technological University in Ireland.

College or university degree opportunities  

If you are a graduate of this program, you may continue your studies at a college or university and you may receive credit(s) for your prior college education. Refer to Cambrian’s college and university agreement details for further information. 

Career Outcomes

Employment opportunities

Graduates can work in a variety of industrial, governmental, municipal, and private consulting organizations as:

  • Environmental monitoring technicians
  • Natural resource technicians
  • Environmental consultants
  • Environmental laboratory technicians
  • Field research assistants
A bearded individual wearing a cap and safety goggles skillfully works on electrical connections, holding red wires with precision.Person with safety glasses using a wrench on machinery in a workshop.A radiology student Julia working with equipment.

Need a career coach?

Explore how this program can lead to a great career! Cambrian’s Career Coach platform is a user-friendly, online tool that provides up-to-date and comprehensive labour market data to help you explore career options, salary expectations for the Greater Sudbury region, and more!

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See where you'll be learning!

Minimum technology requirements

Success in this program requires that you come equipped with some program-specific technology requirements.

Bring your own device (BYOD)

Cambrian College has implemented a BYOD principle to both enrich the student learning experience in and out of the classroom and to ensure flexibility!

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Ready to take the first step?

Start gaining the highest level of skills at Cambrian now – and you’ll be ready to take advantage of the many career opportunities waiting for you just around the corner. The future is yours!

Have Questions?
We are here to help.

If you have any questions about programs, funding, OSAP, deadlines, student services, or anything else, reach out to our support team and we are happy to help!

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