Entry-Level Environmental Field Tech
The Entry-Level Environmental Field Technician at Confidential Client is responsible for conducting environmental sample collection and monitoring activities across various water and soil matrices, ensuring compliance with regulatory and client standards. This role involves operating field instrumentation, performing confined space entries, troubleshooting equipment, and maintaining rigorous data documentation to support environmental compliance and stewardship. The position requires physical fieldwork, client interaction, and adherence to strict safety and ethical protocols in diverse environmental settings.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Environmental Services & Laboratory Testing.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Position Overview
The Environmental Field Technician (Entry-Level) will perform field monitoring and sample collection for wastewater, groundwater, leachate, stormwater, soil, drinking water, and surface water projects. After a training period, you will join field teams operating across the Midwest to collect representative, high-quality samples and data in support of regulatory and client objectives. This is a field-heavy, hands-on role that requires strong safety awareness, attention to detail, and the ability to travel (including overnight stays) and work rotational weekends.
What You’ll Do
- Maintain quality standards per Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), NEFAP, and relevant sampling standards.
- Perform water quality monitoring using field instrumentation for indicator parameters.
- Collect wastewater, groundwater, leachate, stormwater, soil, surface water, and drinking water samples following SOPs and regulatory guidance.
- Install, operate, and troubleshoot automated sampling and flow measurement equipment.
- Perform confined space entries to install and maintain monitoring equipment (with required training).
- Document field activities thoroughly so sampling events are defensible and reconstructable.
- Review field data to identify trends and anomalies and report findings.
- Prepare, deliver, or ship samples to the laboratory in accordance with chain-of-custody procedures.
- Perform landfill gas monitoring, flare gas sampling, and surface scan monitoring for ground emissions.
- Communicate with team members, project managers, and clients to ensure scope and specifications are met.
- Travel to client sites (overnight as needed) and work weekends on a rotational basis.
- Follow all company safety and data integrity policies.
Compensation & Benefits
- Pay: $17.25 per hour + benefits and bonus opportunity.
- Benefits (full-time employees): medical, dental, and vision; 401(k) retirement plan; life insurance; short- and long-term disability; paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays).
(Any required background checks and driving insurance verification are part of standard hiring compliance.)
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to think critically and solve problems in the field.
- Self-directed, reliable, and goal-oriented.
- Valid driver’s license required and must be insurable to operate company vehicles (including off-road vehicles).
- Willingness to undergo background checks when required for site access.
Physical & Work Environment Requirements
- Able to walk/hike over uneven terrain and carry equipment up to ~50 lbs using safe lifting techniques.
- Comfortable working in confined spaces, near water bodies, and around heavy equipment while following safety procedures.
- Must be able to wear required PPE (respirators, gloves, safety glasses, harnesses, protective clothing) as needed.
- Able to work in all weather conditions and in industrial, solid waste, and construction environments with potential exposure to noise, odors, dust, or chemicals.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Location & Travel
- Location: Des Plaines, IL (work across Midwest; travel and overnight stays expected).
- This is an on-site / field role; remote work is not available.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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