POSITION SUMMARY
The Environmental Technician performs field activities that support environmental assessment, remediation, spill response, reclamation, regulatory compliance, and project documentation for oil and gas operations throughout the Permian Basin and southeastern New Mexico. The position collects defensible field data and samples, monitors work activities, maintains complete records, and communicates changing site conditions to project leadership.
The technician works at active production facilities, pipelines, lease roads, remediation sites, and remote field locations. Success requires sound field judgment, attention to detail, accurate documentation, strong safety awareness, and the ability to coordinate effectively with environmental professionals, equipment operators, laborers, subcontractors, laboratories, and client representatives.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Field Investigation and Sampling
- Conduct environmental site inspections, field assessments, release investigations, and sampling activities under approved project procedures and supervisor direction.
- Collect soil, groundwater, surface water, produced water, and other environmental samples using appropriate methods, equipment, containers, preservation, and quality-control procedures.
- Complete sample labeling, chain-of-custody records, field logs, photographs, sketches, measurements, and other documentation needed to support defensible project records.
- Use field instruments and equipment such as photoionization detectors, water-level meters, GPS units, survey rods, soil-sampling tools, pumps, and meters when trained and assigned.
- Perform equipment calibration or verification checks and maintain calibration, use, and maintenance records as required.
- Coordinate sample packaging, storage, transport, and laboratory delivery while maintaining custody and required holding conditions.
- Observe field conditions and analytical screening results and promptly communicate conditions that may require additional investigation, sampling, or corrective action.
Remediation and Reclamation Support
- Monitor environmental remediation, excavation, impacted-soil handling, backfilling, grading, and reclamation activities for consistency with the approved scope and field direction.
- Assist with establishing excavation boundaries, sample locations, exclusion zones, stockpile areas, and limits of disturbance using maps, GPS data, field markings, and project instructions.
- Coordinate with heavy equipment operators and field crews regarding sampling intervals, excavation progress, material segregation, stockpile management, and changing site conditions.
- Screen excavated areas, sidewalls, bottoms, stockpiles, and transported materials as directed and document observations and measurements.
- Support spill response, containment, cleanup, equipment decontamination, waste characterization, disposal coordination, erosion control, and site restoration activities.
- Verify that work areas are maintained in an orderly condition and that materials, samples, waste, and equipment are managed to prevent cross-contamination or additional releases.
Project Documentation and Coordination
- Prepare accurate daily field reports describing personnel, equipment, weather, site conditions, work completed, sample locations, quantities, delays, safety concerns, and notable events.
- Maintain organized electronic and physical project records, including maps, photographs, field notes, laboratory documentation, manifests, tickets, and client-required forms.
- Track field quantities such as excavation dimensions, stockpile volumes, loads, disposal tickets, water usage, imported material, and restoration progress.
- Assist with maps, tables, figures, data summaries, regulatory documentation, closure packages, and other project deliverables.
- Communicate project status, schedule concerns, access issues, scope changes, equipment needs, and potential cost impacts to the Project Manager or supervisor.
- Coordinate routine field matters with laboratories, disposal facilities, subcontractors, vendors, and client representatives within assigned authority.
- Protect confidential client and company information and represent Standard Safety & Supply professionally at all work locations.
Safety and Environmental Compliance
- Comply with company safety policies, client requirements, job safety analyses, permits, excavation procedures, waste-handling requirements, and applicable regulations.
- Participate in pre-job meetings, tailgate meetings, hazard assessments, incident reporting, and stop-work discussions.
- Recognize hazards associated with H2S, traffic, heavy equipment, excavations, utilities, unstable ground, weather, wildlife, chemicals, and active oil and gas operations.
- Maintain safe separation from operating equipment and coordinate with spotters and operators before entering equipment work zones.
- Use required personal protective equipment and comply with respiratory protection, hearing conservation, heat-stress, and site-specific programs when applicable.
- Exercise stop-work authority and immediately report incidents, near misses, spills, property damage, and unsafe or environmentally sensitive conditions.
- Support work performed to meet client requirements and applicable environmental requirements administered by agencies such as the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division and New Mexico Environment Department.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- High school diploma or GED.
- Field experience in environmental services, oil and gas, remediation, construction, sampling, inspection, or a comparable technical environment; relevant education may substitute for some experience.
- Ability to follow written procedures, collect accurate field information, perform basic calculations, and maintain complete and legible documentation.
- Basic computer proficiency, including email, electronic forms, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel.
- Ability to use mobile devices, GPS applications, cameras, and field data-collection systems.
- Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
- Valid driver license with an acceptable driving record consistent with company requirements.
- Ability to pass required pre-employment and ongoing drug and alcohol testing and meet client site-access requirements.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Associate degree, technical certificate, or college coursework in Environmental Science, Geology, Biology, Natural Resources, Occupational Safety, or a related field.
- One or more years of environmental field, oil and gas, remediation, reclamation, spill-response, or sampling experience.
- Experience with soil and groundwater sampling, field screening instruments, GPS data collection, chain-of-custody procedures, and technical field documentation.
- Current 40-hour HAZWOPER, H2S, First Aid and CPR, excavation safety, or related training.
- Familiarity with environmental work performed under New Mexico Oil Conservation Division requirements.
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Collect consistent, accurate, and defensible field data while following project-specific procedures.
- Recognize unusual field conditions, documentation gaps, potential releases, and conditions requiring escalation.
- Prioritize multiple field tasks and meet deadlines in a changing, production-driven environment.
- Work independently with appropriate supervision and maintain professional communication with field and office personnel.
- Read basic site maps, project plans, sampling diagrams, safety documents, and written work instructions.
- Adapt to changing schedules, weather, locations, client priorities, and emergency-response needs.
PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
This is a safety-sensitive, field-based position. Work is performed primarily outdoors at oil and gas locations, remediation sites, industrial facilities, and remote properties throughout the Permian Basin and southeastern New Mexico.
- Walk and work on uneven, rocky, muddy, sandy, or unstable terrain and around active vehicles and heavy equipment.
- Stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, reach, push, pull, and perform repetitive field activities.
- Lift and carry sampling equipment, coolers, tools, supplies, and materials weighing up to approximately 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Work in heat, cold, wind, rain, blowing dust, noise, fumes, and other conditions common to West Texas and southeastern New Mexico.
- Wear required personal protective equipment for the duration of the work assignment.
- Drive to remote field locations and work extended shifts, overtime, nights, weekends, holidays, or on-call assignments when required.
- Travel periodically, including overnight stays away from the employee home location.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position does not typically have direct supervisory responsibility. The technician may coordinate daily field tasks, provide task guidance to laborers or subcontractors, and communicate field priorities under the direction of a supervisor or Project Manager.
DISCLAIMER
This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions. Management may modify duties or assign additional responsibilities to meet business, client, safety, and operational needs. Employment remains subject to applicable company policies and requirements.
Standard Safety & Supply is an Equal Opportunity Employer.