Environmental Monitoring Technician
The Environmental Monitoring Technician performs microbiology-based environmental and utility monitoring in biopharmaceutical cleanrooms ranging from ISO 8 to ISO 5. This role ensures compliance with cGMP and SOPs through rigorous testing, sterile techniques, and meticulous documentation to support clinical trial and manufacturing activities. The technician maintains audit-ready laboratory conditions while collaborating with quality and manufacturing teams in a regulated environment.
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, biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
The Environmental Monitoring Technician will support biopharmaceutical manufacturing by performing environmental and utility monitoring, microbiology testing, and laboratory support to maintain cGMP compliance and audit readiness.
- Perform environmental monitoring in cleanrooms and process areas (ISO 8 → ISO 5): viable air sampling, non-viable particle checks, viable surface testing, and personnel monitoring.
- Sample utilities (water, steam, compressed gases) to support manufacturing and quality control.
- Conduct laboratory testing including plate enumeration for environmental and water bioburden samples.
- Perform routine water testing: pH, conductivity, Total Organic Carbon (TOC), endotoxin, and bioburden assessments.
- Run growth promotion testing to verify culture media performance.
- Operate Biological Safety Cabinet Level 2 with appropriate aseptic technique during sampling and testing.
- Maintain and clean incubators, refrigerators, benches, and other controlled temperature units; perform daily chart reading and documentation.
- Follow SOPs and cGMP requirements to ensure work is compliant and the lab is audit-ready.
- Collaborate with quality and manufacturing teams to support clinical trial and production activities (including upcoming phase 3 work).
- Perform other laboratory support duties as assigned.
Essential Skills
- Hands-on microbiology experience with bacteria testing and sterile techniques.
- Practical knowledge of environmental monitoring methods (viable air, particle, surface testing).
- Familiarity with cleanroom classifications and sampling requirements for ISO 8 → ISO 5 environments.
- Experience with plating and plate enumeration for environmental and water bioburden testing.
- Proficiency in routine water sampling and analyses (pH, conductivity, TOC, endotoxin, bioburden).
- Strong documentation skills and attention to detail in a regulated environment.
- Experience working with Biological Safety Cabinet Level 2 and aseptic practices.
- Ability to maintain equipment and controlled-temperature units to ensure compliance.
Additional Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science (BS) in Microbiology or related field preferred.
- Entry-level candidates are welcome if they can demonstrate practical microbiology and sterile technique experience.
- Prior environmental monitoring (EM) or quality control microbiology experience in a regulated setting is a plus.
- Comfortable working in both office and laboratory settings and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
- Interest in supporting biopharmaceutical manufacturing and clinical trial activities.
Work Environment & Schedule
This is a fully onsite, contract-to-hire role in a biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility. The position requires regular work in cleanrooms (ISO 8 → ISO 5) and laboratory areas using Biological Safety Cabinets, incubators, refrigerators, and other controlled-temperature equipment. Adherence to cGMP, SOPs, and laboratory safety practices is required.
Compensation & Benefits
- Pay range: $25.00 - $29.00 per hour (Contract to Hire). Actual pay offered will depend on qualifications, experience, and other job-related factors.
- Potential benefits (eligibility and availability vary by classification and length of employment): medical, dental & vision; 401(k); voluntary life & AD&D; short- and long-term disability; Health Savings Account (HSA); transportation benefits; Employee Assistance Program; paid time off.
Job Type & Location
- Employment type: Contract-to-hire (CONTRACTOR)
- Workplace: Fully onsite
- Location: Pico Heights, CA (must be willing to work onsite at the facility)
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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