How to hire an environmental field technician

How to hire an environmental field technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step environmental field technician hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an environmental field technician job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new environmental field technician
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your environmental field technician job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an environmental field technician for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An environmental field technician's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, environmental field technicians from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of environmental field technician salaries for various roles:

   Type of Environmental Field Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Environmental Field Technician	Environmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting public health. In addition, they work to ensure that environmental violations are prevented.	$14-23
   Laboratory Analyst	A Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.	$14-29
   Surveillance Technician	A man without specific skills can't be the perfect man. Surveillance Technician, thus, needs to be tactful... Show more	$14-26

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • OSHA
   • Data Collection
   • HAZWOPER
   • Safety Procedures
   • Hand Tools
   • GPS
   • Environmental Monitoring
   • Asbestos
   • Environmental Compliance
   • Environmental Data
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Industrial Cleaning
   • Hazardous Waste
   • Equipment Operation

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Provide contractor oversight, including monitoring of technical performance of sub-contractors managing remedial cleanup projects involving hazardous waste.
   • Complete field forms, draw sketch maps, profiles and plan view field drawings.
   • Identify and correct safety shortfalls in confine space entry, explosive atmosphere, and fall protection to ensure OSHA compliance.
   • Create sketch maps of artifact distribution, and site features.
   • Read topographic maps in addition to using hand hold and tablet base GPS units.
   • Insulate and push copper thru a chase along with ac wire and drain line.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your environmental field technician job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An environmental field technician salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, environmental field technicians' average salary in tennessee is 35% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level environmental field technicians earn 38% less than senior-level environmental field technicians.
   • Certifications. An environmental field technician with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an environmental field technician's salary.

   Average environmental field technician salary

   $38,450yearly

   $18.49 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level environmental field technician salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing an environmental field technician job description

   A good environmental field technician job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an environmental field technician job description:

   Environmental field technician job description example

   MSE Environmental is a growing full-service environmental consulting firm seeking an Entry Level Environmental Industrial Hygiene Technician professional. The successful candidate will enjoy conducting a variety of field and office tasks in support of mold, asbestos, legionella, water damage consulting, lead consulting, indoor air quality assessment, environmental site assessment, and site characterization projects. Tasks may include a collection of field data, sample collection, abatement monitoring and oversight, research and review of regulatory records, directing subcontractors, data evaluation, technical report preparation, and project management. We are seeking individuals desiring long-term career opportunities. The position includes excellent mentoring and training opportunities and the opportunity to learn or participate in other aspects of environmental consulting.
   Job Responsibilities
   • Conduct microbial, lead, asbestos, and industrial hygiene inspection.
   • Conduct microbial, lead, asbestos, and industrial hygiene sampling.
   • Prepare inspection reports based on the inspection findings.
   • Conduct asbestos and lead abatement oversight.
   • Other related duties as assigned
   Job Qualifications
   The successful candidates will be required to speak, read, and write English. Previous asbestos consulting experience is not required but recommended. OSHA Hazwoper certificate, lead assessor registration, NIOSH 582, and working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Adobe Illustrator are pluses. The ability to properly wear and use personal respirator equipment and other forms of personal protective equipment is required.
   
   Candidates should have excellent verbal and written communication skills, a POSITIVE attitude, good organizational skills, a strong work ethic, GREAT customer service and be reliable. Candidates must have a current valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
   Education/Experience
   OSHA HAZWOPER training is plus (Will Train) Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science or a related science field is a plus (Preferred - Not Required) Current AHERA Building Inspector and Contractor/Supervisor Certification is plus (Will Train) Current EPA Lead Risk Assessor Certification is a plus (Will Train) Valid State Driver's License and auto insurance and reliable vehicle for transportation (Required) At least 1-year as Environmental Hygienist or Environmental Technician preferred (Not Required) Literacy in Microsoft Office, Word, Windows 10, Google Searches, Gmail, SmartPhone technology NIOSH 582 Certification a plus (Will Train) Experience reading microbial air samples is a plus (Will Train)
   Skills
   Excellent verbal and written communication Critical thinking Coordination Monitoring Time management Organization Management Project management Active listening Judgment and decision making Complex problem solving Strong work ethic Reliability Attention to detail Works well under pressure Excellent computer skills Excellent smartphone skills
   Local candidates are preferred.
   Work Schedule
   An 8-hour workday. Additional after-hours/weekend work is required and performed on a rotating and as-needed basis. May require travel out of town and be available night and weekend work. Handle approximately 25 projects per week from start to finish.
   Physical Demands
   Ability to comply with work safety requirements Operate a motor vehicle and willingness to travel for long periods of time in the vehicle between projects Visually distinguish between colors Detect and receive messages over the phone and email Setup and takedown company event equipment as needed Ability to lift 50-75 lbs and pass annual medical and respiratory fit test exams. Ability to climb ladders, crawl in crawlspaces, climb roofs, and access other difficult areas.
   Work Environment
   Job duties are primarily performed at project/job sites within the Environmental Hygienist's assigned region and include extensive travel between sites and laboratories.
   Benefits
   MSE offers a comprehensive, highly competitive compensation package including health benefits with medical, vision, dental plan, and more. Earned paid time off and paid holidays included. MSE Environmental is an equal opportunity employer and promotes a drug-free workspace. Salary or Wage commensurate with experience. Full-Time Employment Bonus Opportunities

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right environmental field technician for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your environmental field technician job on Zippia to find and recruit environmental field technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting environmental field technicians requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new environmental field technician

   Once you've selected the best environmental field technician candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new environmental field technician. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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