Career Prospects in Laboratory / Research Cadre in EPA Punjab

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab works under Environment Protection Department (EPD), Government of the Punjab. To run its official functions in districts, EPA has staff of Field-Cadre and Research/ Laboratory-Cadre. Field cadre is very effective in the field of environment but its Research cadre / Laboratory cadre has also the same importance in functioning of the Department. Collection of samples and their analysis as per standards is highly important for completion of investigation and thrashing out the cases in detail. Lab Sampling Rules are implemented by the Laboratory & Research cadre. The sampling reports generated by the Environmental Laboratory of Environment Protection Department are considered and not challengeable at any level. These reports are considered authentic even by Courts.

Key positions of Laboratory and Research Cadre in Environmental Protection Agency are as under:

1. Director (Monitoring, Laboratories & Implementation), Basic Scale-19.
2. Deputy Director (Research / Laboratory), Basic Scale-18
3. Assistant Director (Research) / Research Officer, Basic Scale-17
4. Research Assistant, Basic Scale-16
5. Laboratory Technician, Basic Scale-13.

There are total 07 Laboratories in Environmental Protection Agency, Punjab at Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Rawalpindi, Multan, & Rahim Yar Khan. Central Laboratory is at Lahore. All these are headed by Deputy Director (Laboratory) aided by Research Officer, Research Assistant and Laboratory Technician.

The above mentioned posts are for the implementation of the policies of the Government and Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 2012 and its subsidiary Rules/ Regulations, monitoring of the polluted sites, industrial units, general sites for environmental reviews, site inspection reports SIR, Initial Environmental Examination IEE, Environmental Impact Assessment EIA, General Reports, Reports for Courts and Environmental Tribunal etc. Overall implementation of the Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 2012, Hospital Waste Rules, Dengue Act, NEQS, Safety Measures Rules and other Rules.

Here we shall discuss EPD Service Rules, 1997 of the post of Laboratory Technician, Research Assistant and Assistant Director Research / Research Officer along with career prospects one by one:

Laboratory Technician (Basic Scale-13)

Qualification: BSc (2^nd Division) with Chemistry Sciences from a recognized University.

Method of Recruitment:

1. 50% by initial recruitment;
2. 50% by promotion on seniority cum fitness basis from amongst Lab. Assistant who hold the qualification of FSc (Second Division) from a recognized board with 10 years experience as such.

Career Prospects: Laboratory Technician is eligible for promotion as Research Assistant (BS-16). Research Assistant after 05 years service is eligible for promotion as Research Officer (BS-17). Laboratory Technician is a very good post with conducive environment.

Research Assistant, Basic Scale-16

Qualification: BS (2^nd Division) Environmental Sciences from a recognized University.

Method of Recruitment:

1. 75 % by initial recruitment;
2. 25 % by promotion from amongst Lab. Technician BS-13 having qualification BSc (2^nd Division) Chemistry on seniority cum fitness basis with 05 years experience.

Career Prospects: Research Assistant is eligible for promotion as Assistant Director (Research) / Research Officer (BS-17) after 05 years service. Research Officer / Assistant Director (Research) (BS-17) is eligible for promotion as Deputy Director (Lab / Research) (BS-18). The post is very powerful in the field of Environment and very good chances for promotion

Research Officer / Assistant Director (Research) Basic Scale-17

Qualification: MSc / BS (2^nd Division) in Chemistry / Bio Chemistry / Environmental Sciences from a recognized University.

Method of Recruitment:

1. 50 % by initial recruitment;
2. 50% by promotion from amongst Research Assistant BS-16 having qualification BSc (2^nd Division) Chemistry on seniority cum fitness basis with 05 years experience.

Career Prospects: Research Officer / Assistant Director (Research) BS-17 is eligible for promotion as Deputy Director BS-17 after 05 years service. Deputy Director (Lab. / Research) BS-18 is eligible for promotion as Director (BS-19) and then Director General (BS-20). In past, one RO has served EPA has DG after getting promotions.