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3E473 Career Guide

Air Force

3E473: Pest Management Specialist

Career transition guide for Air Force Pest Management Specialist (3E473)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 3E473 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Pest Control Technician

$45K
High matchStable demand

Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

$75K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

OSHA certificationsEnvironmental regulations knowledge

Facilities Manager

$95K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Project management certificationHVAC knowledge

Agricultural Inspector

$60K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

USDA certificationsSpecific crop/pest knowledge

Public Health Sanitarian

$70K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

MPH degreeEnvironmental science background

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 3E473 training built — and where they transfer.

Situational Awareness

Constantly assessing environments for pest presence, potential risks (to humans, the environment), and changes in pest behavior due to weather or other factors, requiring a 360-degree awareness of the surroundings.

The ability to perceive and understand the dynamics of a complex environment, anticipate potential problems, and make informed decisions based on real-time information.

Resource Optimization

Balancing the need for effective pest control with environmental protection, budget constraints, and the availability of specialized equipment and chemicals, demanding efficient allocation and use of resources.

The ability to effectively manage and allocate resources (time, money, materials, personnel) to achieve optimal outcomes while considering various constraints and priorities.

Procedural Compliance

Adhering to strict regulations and guidelines for pesticide handling, storage, and application, as well as environmental compliance standards, ensuring all actions are legal, safe, and documented.

Meticulous adherence to established protocols, regulations, and safety standards, ensuring consistent and accurate execution of tasks while minimizing risks and liabilities.

System Modeling

Understanding the interconnectedness of pest populations, environmental factors, and human health to predict the impact of interventions and develop comprehensive pest management strategies.

The ability to visualize and analyze complex systems, understand cause-and-effect relationships, and predict outcomes based on various inputs and scenarios.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

SOC 17-2111

You've been meticulously ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and safety protocols related to pest management. This experience directly translates to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment in various industries. Your ability to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement preventative measures makes you a perfect fit.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041

You've developed a strong understanding of regulations and the importance of adhering to them. Your experience in maintaining databases and tracking systems for pest management translates directly to monitoring and enforcing compliance within an organization, mitigating risks and ensuring ethical operations.

Facilities Manager

SOC 11-3010

You've been inspecting facilities and advising on pest prevention. Your knowledge of building systems, preventative maintenance, and vendor management can be leveraged to oversee the maintenance, security, and operations of commercial or residential properties.

Agricultural Inspector

SOC 45-2011

Your background in identifying and managing pests in various environments makes you well-suited to inspecting agricultural products and facilities for compliance with regulations. Your understanding of pest control methods and environmental safety will be valuable in this role.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Pest Management Apprentice Course, Sheppard Air Force Base, TX

350 training hours9 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Environmental Science or related fields

Topics Covered

  • Pest Identification and Biology
  • Pesticide Handling and Safety
  • Pesticide Application Techniques
  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Principles
  • Environmental Compliance and Regulations
  • Equipment Maintenance and Calibration
  • Record Keeping and Reporting
  • Structural Pest Control

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Applicator License (various states)70% covered

State-specific regulations, local pest issues, and potentially different pesticide handling procedures depending on the state. Requires passing state exams.

Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE)50% covered

Formal entomology education, more in-depth knowledge of insect biology, behavior, and identification. Requires passing the ACE exam.

Recommended Next Certifications

Board Certified Entomologist (BCE)Qualified Supervisor License (Pest Control)Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) certification

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Pest Management Information Analysis System (PMIAS)Pest management software (e.g., FieldRoutes, PestPac)
Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System - Industrial Hygiene (DOEHRS-IH)Occupational health and safety management software (e.g., Intelex, VelocityEHS)
Air Force Equipment Management System (AFEMS)Asset tracking and maintenance management software (e.g., IBM Maximo, Infor EAM)
Hazardous Material Management System (HMMS)Chemical inventory management software (e.g., Chemwatch, Sphera)
Automated Civil Engineer System (ACES)Facilities management software (e.g., Archibus, FM:Systems)
Global Pest Surveillance Program (GPSP)Disease surveillance and tracking systems (e.g., HealthMap, Promed)

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