Working and Careers in Water and Aquatic Science

A water technician does many different things in an aquatic science laboratory and in the field.

Water technician conducting work in an aquatic chemistry laboratory. Photo credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

A water technician does many jobs. They may test fish for contaminants, evaluate how well hatchery fish are digesting different kinds of food, test water chemistry in a drinking water or sewage treatment facility, measure the salinity in water, count the number of tiny aquatic animals or bacteria in a water sample by using a microscope, or conduct many other scientific measurements and tests. Technicians also may work in the field where they may conduct sampling of water or aquatic life. They usually work under the direction of an aquatic biologist, chemist, or other senior-level scientist. Technicians that work in a science laboratory or in the field have at least a bachelor’s degree in a science, such as biology or chemistry.

 

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Texas Aquatic Science is a cooperative education project sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife, The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University. Additional project support came from the Ewing Halsell Foundation and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Sport Fish Restoration Program. Rudolph Rosen, Ph.D. wrote and edited the Texas Aquatic Science textbook. Videos were produced by Randall Maxwell. Sandra Johnson, Ph.D. served as educational consultant and authored the accompanying Teacher’s Guide.