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Environmental Technician
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Based on Washington data
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What they do
An Environmental Technician assists with testing and sampling or monitoring needed for environmental clean-up efforts or projects to mitigate environmental pollution. Assists environmental engineers or environmental scientists. Collects air, water or soil samples, operates field test equipment and conducts laboratory research. Coordinates work at sites with contaminated soil or water, or hazardous waste clean-up sites.
$54,736 / year median in Washington
+12% projected growth
Job Description
Job Title:
Environmental Technician Job Description The Environmental Technician safely consolidates, treats, stores, packs, transports, and disposes of hazardous waste in accordance with environmentally responsible and compliant practices, policies, and procedures. This role supports industrial cleaning, wastewater treatment, spill response, and facility services while maintaining detailed and accurate records. The position offers meaningful work that directly contributes to environmental cleanup, sustainability initiatives, and ecological transformation, with clear opportunities for career growth within a large, global environmental services organization. Responsibilities + Consolidate, treat, store, pack, transport, and dispose of hazardous waste in compliance with applicable regulations, company policies, and environmentally responsible practices. + Perform industrial cleaning and pressure washing activities in and around the facility and job sites. + Support wastewater treatment operations as needed, following established procedures and safety standards. + Participate in spill response activities, including containment, cleanup, and proper disposal of hazardous materials. + Provide facility services such as site cleanup, yard work, and general labor to maintain a safe and orderly work area. + Complete all required documentation accurately, legibly, and on time in accordance with regulations and customer policies, practices, and procedures. + Maintain detailed and accurate records related to hazardous materials handling, waste streams, and work performed. + Operate equipment safely and efficiently, following all training, instructions, and safety guidelines. + Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times and follow all safety protocols, including hearing and visual safety requirements. + Respond to direction from leadership and perform other reasonably related tasks as assigned by management to support overall plant operations. + Participate in training and onboarding activities, including online modules and job shadowing, and apply learned procedures to independent work on site. Essential Skills + At least 2 years of prior experience working with hazardous materials. + High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) required. + Experience with general labor, site cleanup, and environmental field work. + Comfort operating equipment safely in an industrial or environmental setting. + Ability to complete documentation accurately, timely, and legibly. + Ability to work outdoors in all climate conditions and indoors in non-climate-controlled conditions. + Visual acuity to read labels and documentation and sufficient depth perception to work safely around equipment and vehicles. + Ability to hear vehicle warning chimes and alarms to maintain a safe working environment. + Willingness and ability to wear company-issued personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, hard hat, steel-toed shoes, gloves, Tyvek coveralls, and respirator. + Willingness to perform industrial cleaning, pressure washing, wastewater treatment support, spill response, and facility services. + Comfort working in a structured yet evolving environment, including adapting to a mix of online and hands-on training. Additional Skills & Qualifications + HAZWOPER certification is a plus. + Prior experience in environmental services, hazardous waste handling, or related fields is beneficial. + Experience with yard work, outdoor labor, or similar physical roles is advantageous. + Ability to remain motivated and patient during a training process that includes both online modules and job shadowing. + Interest in meaningful work focused on environmental cleanup, sustainability, and ecological transformation. + Desire for upward growth and long-term career development within a large environmental services organization. + Comfort working in a team environment with other environmental technicians and plant personnel. Work Environment This role is based at an environmental services plant that focuses on environmental cleanup and sustainability initiatives. The position requires working outdoors year-round in all weather conditions, including rain, heat, and cold, as well as indoors in non-climate-controlled areas. Environmental Technicians wear full personal protective equipment (PPE) for the entire shift, including safety glasses, hard hat, steel-toed shoes, gloves, Tyvek coveralls, and a respirator, and must be comfortable with this dress code. The plant currently employs approximately 45 environmental technicians and can grow to around 60 at peak times, creating a busy, team-oriented environment. Work involves industrial cleaning, pressure washing, wastewater treatment support, spill response, and general facility services using industrial equipment and tools. The training and onboarding process combines online learning modules with job shadowing and can feel somewhat disorganized at times due to balancing different training methods; however, new hires are paid for their downtime, and training typically takes 2-3 weeks before technicians work independently on site. The broader organization operates globally, focuses heavily on sustainability, resource recovery, pollution reduction, and ecological transformation, and is enhancing employee benefits in the coming years, including expanded family coverage. Benefits Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:- Medical, dental & vision
- Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
- 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
- Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
- Short and long-term disability
- Health Spending Account (HSA)
- Transportation benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Tacoma, WA.
- Medical, dental & vision
- Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
- 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
- Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
- Short and long-term disability
- Health Spending Account (HSA)
- Transportation benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Tacoma,WA.