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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Environmental Field Technician

💰 $40,000 - $65,000

Environmental ServicesField TechnicianSamplingRemediation

🎯 Role Definition

The Environmental Field Technician is a hands-on field role responsible for collecting environmental samples, operating field instrumentation, performing site monitoring and supporting remediation and investigation activities. This role requires strict adherence to health & safety protocols (HAZWOPER, OSHA), meticulous chain-of-custody and QA/QC practices, and clear documentation to support environmental site assessments (Phase I/Phase II), regulatory reporting, and laboratory analysis. Ideal candidates are detail-oriented, physically fit, safety-focused, and experienced with field sampling methods, field equipment calibration, and interaction with contractors, laboratories, and clients.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Laboratory Technician or Environmental Sampling Assistant
  • Recent graduate in Environmental Science, Geology, or Hydrology
  • Construction/utility field technician with safety training

Advancement To:

  • Senior Environmental Field Technician / Lead Field Technician
  • Field Supervisor / Site Supervisor
  • Project Scientist or Environmental Specialist
  • Remediation Technician / Project Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Health & Safety Officer / Site Safety Coordinator
  • Field Sampling Specialist (e.g., groundwater specialist)
  • GIS/Mapping Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct systematic collection of environmental samples including soil, groundwater (low‑flow purging and sampling), surface water, sediment, air (canister and direct‑reading), and stormwater according to project sampling plans, protocols and chain-of-custody procedures, ensuring proper labeling, preservation (cooling, pH adjustment), and timely shipment to accredited laboratories.
  • Perform groundwater monitoring well purging and sampling using bailers, low‑flow pumps and bladder pumps while documenting well construction, static water levels, and purging volumes in field logs and electronic field data forms.
  • Execute Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) field tasks and support subsurface investigation activities including direct‑push sampling (Geoprobe/DT-500), soil borings, and hand auger sampling under supervision of a project lead.
  • Operate, calibrate and maintain field instruments including photoionization detectors (PID), flame ionization detectors (FID), multi‑gas meters, turbidity meters, dissolved oxygen meters, conductivity meters, and field spectrometers, logging calibration and QA checks as required.
  • Implement and enforce site-specific health and safety plans (SSHP), PPE requirements, HAZWOPER (40‑hour and annual refresher) procedures, and decontamination stations to minimize risk to personnel and the environment.
  • Prepare and maintain accurate field documentation such as daily field logs, well construction diagrams, sample tracking sheets, chain‑of‑custody forms, field notebooks and electronic mobile data entries compliant with client and regulatory expectations.
  • Collect and document QA/QC samples (field blanks, equipment blanks, duplicates, and matrix spikes) per quality assurance project plans (QAPP) and ensure laboratory receipt and flagging of QA samples in reports.
  • Perform on-site screening and presumptive analysis of samples using portable field methods and instrumentation, providing timely field observations to the project manager and making sampling adjustments as needed.
  • Support remediation activities including soil excavation oversight, dewatering, temporary treatment systems operation, and sample collection to confirm remedial endpoints under direction of remediation specialists.
  • Manage hazardous and non-hazardous waste handling during field operations, including segregation, labeling, manifesting, temporary storage, and coordination with certified waste haulers in accordance with RCRA, state and local regulations.
  • Coordinate with third-party laboratories for sample pickup, confirm proper sample custody and shipping conditions (ice, preservatives), and follow up on sample receipt, lab turn‑around times, and preliminary data where required.
  • Perform environmental monitoring and compliance inspections such as stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) inspections, erosion control checks, and permit-required sampling with documentation for regulatory reporting.
  • Maintain, clean and inventory field sampling equipment, vehicles and PPE, arrange repairs or replacements and ensure vehicles are stocked with spares, fuel, safety equipment and spill kits.
  • Drive to remote and urban field locations, prepare sites for access and setup (fencing, signage, traffic control where necessary), and liaise with landowners, subcontractors and stakeholders to ensure safe and compliant site operations.
  • Support the installation, development and gauging of monitoring wells, including soil logging, sanitary completion, and verification of well construction details in compliance with project specifications and permitting requirements.
  • Use GPS/GIS tools and mobile mapping applications to locate sample points, map site features, collect coordinate data, and produce georeferenced field deliverables for client reports or internal mapping.
  • Assist project managers and scientists with sample planning, field logistics, equipment mobilization, subcontractor coordination and daily tasking to maintain efficient project schedules and budgets.
  • Follow contamination control and decon procedures for personnel, tools and field equipment to prevent cross‑contamination between sampling points and to comply with health and safety protocols.
  • Perform routine site reconnaissance, odor and visual observations, photographic documentation and prepare preliminary field summaries or daily reports to capture conditions, anomalies and immediate client notifications.
  • Participate in incident response and emergency field support including accidental releases, on-site spills or controlled burns; implement containment, notification, and initial remedial actions under established emergency response plans.
  • Assist with basic field-level data review and entry into electronic databases or laboratory information management systems (LIMS) while highlighting data anomalies or QA failures for follow-up.
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state and local environmental regulations (e.g., EPA, state environmental agencies), permit conditions and client-specific requirements during all field operations.
  • Train and mentor junior technicians and temporary field staff on sampling methods, site safety practices, equipment use and documentation standards to maintain team competency and consistency.
  • Support environmental drilling and geotechnical subcontractor oversight, ensuring drilling logs, sample handling, and well installation conform to project specifications and regulatory standards.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with equipment procurement, storage logistics, and maintenance scheduling to support continuous field operations and minimize downtime.
  • Contribute to preparation of proposals, cost estimates and field scopes by providing realistic field time, equipment and resource needs based on site conditions.
  • Participate in internal and client safety meetings, toolbox talks and lessons learned sessions to improve field practices and safety compliance.
  • Support post-field activities including sample reconciliation, preliminary data interpretation, photo cataloguing, and transfer of field documentation to project teams for report preparation.
  • Perform light office tasks such as preparing chain-of-custody submissions, scanning and archiving field records, and assisting with invoice and timesheet verification for field crews.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Certified and experienced in soil, groundwater, surface water and sediment sampling techniques, including low‑flow groundwater sampling and direct‑push sampling.
  • Proficiency with chain-of-custody procedures, sample preservation techniques (cooling, acidification), and shipping protocols to accredited laboratories.
  • Competent in operating and calibrating field instruments: PID, FID, multi‑gas meters, turbidity/DOC meters, pH meters, conductivity meters and dissolved oxygen probes.
  • Hands-on experience with decontamination procedures, field filtration, and use of disposable sampling equipment to prevent cross‑contamination.
  • Familiarity with HAZWOPER (40‑hour plus annual refresher), OSHA safety standards, confined space awareness and chemical hazard communication (HazCom/GHS).
  • Practical knowledge of LIMS or sample tracking software, mobile field data collection apps, electronic forms and basic data entry best practices.
  • Experience with GPS/GIS field data collection, coordinate capture, and basic georeferencing for mapping and deliverables.
  • Understanding of QA/QC protocols: field blanks, equipment blanks, duplicates, and spike recovery procedures; ability to document and recognize QA issues.
  • Capability to handle hazardous and non-hazardous waste management, labeling, manifests, and coordination with licensed disposal contractors.
  • Skilled in well development, well gauging, sanitary completion of wells, and documentation of well construction and lithologic logs.
  • Ability to operate field support equipment: generators, air compressors, pumps (trash, submersible, peristaltic), and light drill rigs (when applicable).
  • Valid driver’s license and safe driving record; some roles may require CDL or TWIC depending on client sites or marine access.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy in sample handling, documentation, and field log completion.
  • Clear verbal and written communication skills for client interaction, reporting incidents, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
  • Robust problem-solving ability to adapt sampling plans and troubleshoot field instrumentation or site access challenges.
  • High level of physical stamina and comfort working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and remote or industrial environments.
  • Time management and organizational skills to prioritize tasks, meet sample holding times and project schedules.
  • Team player with the ability to lead small crews, train junior staff, and work effectively under supervision.
  • Professional demeanor when interacting with clients, landowners, regulatory inspectors and subcontractors.
  • Safety-first mindset with a commitment to following and enforcing site-specific safety requirements and best practices.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent; proven field sampling experience and certifications (HAZWOPER, First Aid/CPR) often suffice.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Geology, Hydrology, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Engineering Technology, or related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Environmental Science
  • Geology / Earth Sciences
  • Hydrology / Water Resources
  • Environmental Engineering / Engineering Technology
  • Chemistry / Analytical Chemistry
  • Biology / Ecology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of hands-on environmental field sampling and monitoring experience; entry-level roles may accept 0–1 year with strong certifications.

Preferred: 2–5+ years working as an Environmental Field Technician or similar role with documented experience in groundwater/soil sampling, HAZWOPER compliance, instrument calibration, chain-of-custody, and QA/QC procedures. Experience supporting Phase II ESAs, remediation projects, and regulatory sampling programs is highly desirable.

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