The Environmental Site Assessment Technician (ESAT) Certificate program prepares students to work safely and efficiently as field technicians. Graduates will be capable of creating and implementing reclamation plans to address diverse post-construction and disturbance issues affecting soil, water, wildlife, aquatic species, and plants in the natural environment. They will possess knowledge of industry standards and regulations, along with the skills to conduct various sampling, surveying, inventorying, and assessment activities.
Job prospects are mainly concentrated in the environmental restoration sector, with opportunities available in natural resource industries such as oil and gas, forestry and mining, as well as First Nations, independent environmental consulting firms and local government.
The information on this program page is a summary of the official Program Information and Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council. (Download a PDF of the current Program Completion Guide).
Career Prospects
Employment opportunities include the following positions with industry, First Nation, government, and consulting companies:
- Environmental Technician
- Land Reclamation Technician
- Water Resource Technician
- Remediation Technician
- Drilling Waste Technician
- Research Technician
- Soil Science Technician
Details
Intakes
* The Environmental Site Assessment Technician Certificate is offered throughout the NLC region in a hybrid format with required online readings, virtual lectures, field lab hours and a work integrated learning field placement. Students will be expected to travel to the Fort St. John campus at designated times (approx. 3-5 times over the program) for in-person sessions scheduled according to the intake.
Length
22 credits (396 hours), minimum.
Practicum hours included
Estimated Program Fees
Program fee type: Academic
Costs indicated are estimates for a full-time course load.
Book, instruments, supplies, uniforms/clothing and third-party fees are additional.
Domestic Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 2,732.62 | $ 140.18 | $ 1,610.00 | $ 3,726.30 |
International Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees | International Medical Insurance | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 9,471.00 | $ 152.82 | $ 1,610.00 | $ 289.80* | $ 11,523.62 |
*Per four months
Still have questions?
Contact:
- info@nlc.bc.ca if you are in Canada
- info@international.nlc.bc.ca if you are outside of Canada
- academic-chair@nlc.bc.ca if you are currently an NLC student
Admission Requirements
1. English Requirement:
A. Domestic students and students from countries that practice Standard Written English (see Appendix A) must have official transcripts demonstrating that they have met the English Requirements: One of the following with a “C” grade or higher: English 12 or English Literature 12 or English First Peoples 12, ENGL 050, or ENGL 099. Alternatively, any university-level English course with a “C” grade or higher. Students who do not meet one of the above English requirements must complete the NLC Writing Assessment for appropriate course placement.
B. International students* who do not meet the requirement A. above, and domestic students who received their secondary education in French or another language, must show that they have met the NLC English requirement: see Appendix A (General Academic English Language Proficiency Requirements) OR must have received a minimum overall band of 6.0 on the IELTS exam, with no band less than 5.5.
*This program has a Work Integrated Learning requirement which may make international students ineligible for a study permit for this program. Students should check with the International Education department before applying to this program.
plus,
2. Science Requirement: One of the following with a ‘C’ grade or higher: Biology 11 or BIOL 040; or Chemistry 11 or CHEM 040; or Physics 11 or PHYS 040; or successful completion of the BEAHR program or equivalency.
3. Math Requirement: Students must have official transcripts demonstrating the following Math Requirement: One of the following with a ‘C’ grade (60%) or higher: Pre-calculus 11, Principles of Mathematics 11, Foundations of Math 11, MATH 040, or equivalent. Alternatively, readiness for MATH 050 as determined by the CCP Math appraisal.
4. Diverse Applicant pathway: A diverse applicant admissions option is available for Exclusive cohort offerings of the program for students who do not meet the typical admission requirements as outlined in 1, 2 or 3 and have a combination of education, cultural knowledge, expertise and work experience in a relevant field.
Applicants utilizing this admissions pathway will be eligible for the exclusive cohort offering of the ESAT program. The exclusive cohort option of the ESAT program will be delivered in a hybrid model and requires an employer sponsor.
This admission requirements may be met through submission of a letter and supporting documents by the applicant that demonstrate program readiness as outlined below:
- A. Experiential education – traditional cultural knowledge and experience
- B. Resume or documentation that includes evidence of the necessary written and interpersonal communication skills to be successful in post-secondary studies.
- C. Relevant personal and/or work experience that supports the request for diverse applicant consideration and admission. (Mature student, range of work experience, deep connection to the land through lived experience).
- D. 1 Year of work experience or currently employed in a relevant occupation such as: Land Guardian, Lands Department worker or Restoration field worker
- E. Two letters of recommendation (ie. Elder, Knowledge Holder, Employer sponsor, or funding sponsor).
Post-Admission Requirements
In accordance with Health and Safety requirements as set out by the employer, students will provide proof of valid safety training to academicsupport@nlc.bc.ca prior to the start of courses that include work placement. Required certifications may vary by employer but typically include: H2S Alive, Basic First Aid, WHMIS.
(Safety certification courses may be scheduled through NLC Continuing Education prior to program start-up. Contact academicsupport@nlc.bc.ca for additional information regarding safety certification course planning.)
Important Notes
- This program is NOT eligible for Canada Student Loans.
- Students will need to have access to a computer (laptop or other mobile device) with minimum computer requirements (www.nlc.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Minimum_Computer_Requirements_2025.pdf) with reliable high-speed internet.
- Students enrolled in exclusive cohort offerings of the program will need an employer sponsor. Students in need of assistance in finding an employer sponsor may contact the program Chair at academic-chair@nlc.bc.ca
- Students will need proper attire for the practicum and field activities. This is dependent on employer requirements and may include hiking and/or safety boots, warm and waterproof clothing, and a backpack. Personal Protective Equipment required for specific job sites may be required in addition to those items noted here and is dependent on workplace requirements.
- Course transfer agreements allow students to receive course-by-course transfer to other colleges, universities, and institutes in BC, as indicated in the BC Transfer Guide.
Program Requirements
| Residency Requirement | 50% of all coursework must be completed at Northern Lights College, note that a minimum of 60% or ‘C’ grade is required for courses to be considered for transfer into the program. |
|---|---|
| Minimum Grade Requirements | 2.00 program Grade Point Average (GPA); D grade (50%) minimum in all courses |
Year One
- ARCH 230: Introduction to Archaeological Heritage Management (3.0 credits)
OR 1 elective course in Arts or Sciences (3.0 credits) – i.e. FNST 100, FNST 102, ANTH 101, ARCH 200, GEOG 103, GEOL 102. - BIOL 125 – Basic Ecology (3.0 credits)
- BIOL 127 – Botany Basics (3.0 credits)
- LAND 245 – Inventory and Assessment Techniques (3.0 credits)
- LAND 255 – Land Reclamation (4.0 credits)
- LAND 295: Environmental Site Assessment Technician Practicum (3.0 credits)
OR LAND 290 Work Practicum (3.0 credits) - SOIL 117 – Introduction to Soil Science (3.0 credits)
This certificate program ladders into the Diploma in Environmental Restoration (19-22 credits), the Associate of Science Degree in Environmental Science (22 credits) and the Associate of Science degree (22 credits).
Credential
Certificate in Environmental Site Assessment Technician