Entry-Level Environmental Field Tech

Company: Sterling Labs
Location: Des Plaines
Posted on: February 17, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Description: Description Sterling Labs invests in the success of our team. We are looking for highly motivated people who want to invest in their skill sets and careers, be rewarded for initiative, and thrive in a collaborative environment. Our analytical data tremendously impacts the protection of human health and the environment. We value teamwork, continuous improvement and growth, as well as empowered ethical decision-making. Sterling Labs' growth has been directly tied to our clients’ needs for 40 years. We are a growth-oriented organization that prioritizes our clients. We partner with manufacturers, engineering firms, and government agencies to provide environmental laboratory data that helps protect the environment. From wastewater sampling and analysis in greater Chicago to nationwide service with Department of Defense partners, our commitment to our clients drives our growth. WE PRESERVE THE PLANET TO PROTECT THE FUTURE Our Core Values · We strive for Integrity in Everything We Do . We're honest and transparent in our actions and decisions. · We are Customer-Focused . We prioritize our customers' needs and value their feedback. · We are Never Satisfied and are dedicated to continuous improvement. We always seek ways to improve and adapt to changing needs. Position Overview The Environmental Field Technician will engage in wastewater, groundwater, leachate, stormwater, soil, drinking water, and surface water monitoring and sample collection activities. Upon completion of the training program, the Environmental Field Technician will work on monitoring and sampling projects on a variety of matrices at facilities throughout the Midwest. Under the direction of the Groundwater and/or the Wastewater Field Manager, the technician will follow standard procedures for data and sample collection to ensure representative data is collected to meet EMT, client, and regulatory specifications. The Environmental Field Technician must follow protocols and procedures to ensure work is completed in a safe and ethical manner to exceed our client’s expectations. The groundwater and wastewater field services provided supports a variety of clientele including consulting and engineering firms, private industry, and governmental agencies operating under many different environmental rules and regulations. Specific Duties Of The Position Maintains quality standards in accordance with EMT Standard Operating Procedures, NEFAP Standard and relevant sampling and analysis standards. Perform water quality monitoring using field instrumentation for indicator parameters Collect wastewater, groundwater, leachate, stormwater, soil, surface water, and drinking water samples in accordance with standard operating procedures. Conduct sampling and measurement activities in accordance with EMT policies and procedures. Troubleshoot flow measurement, monitoring, and sampling equipment. Collect and document accurate and defensible data. Install and operate automated wastewater sampling equipment Install and operate automated stormwater sampling equipment Install and operate flow measurement instrumentation. Perform confined space entries to install and maintain monitoring equipment. Review and interpret data to identify trends and anomalies. Documentation of all field activities sufficient to historically reconstruct all field activities. Communicate effectively with team members and project management staff to ensure field activities exceeds client expectations and quality data generated. Confer with project managers to coordinate operations and activities in accordance with the contracted scope of work. Interact with clients and/or their project engineer/consultant to ensure project specifications are met. Adequately prepare and deliver or ship samples to EMT or our partner laboratories. Report writing summarizing field activities. Perform landfill gas monitoring and flare gas sampling. Conduct surface scan monitoring for ground emissions. Strictly adhere to EMT data integrity and ethics policy. Strictly adhere to EMT safety policies and procedures. Travel to client facilities which can include overnight stays. Work weekends on a rotational basis. Such other tasks as may be assigned from time to time consistent with the objectives of the position. Requirements: Physical Requirements of the Position Must be able to work in conditions where limited access is available requiring hiking and manual transport of field equipment to monitoring locations. Must pass a pre-employment physical. Must be able to lift and/or carry heavy equipment, coolers, etc. that weigh up to fifty (50) pounds using correct and safe lifting techniques. Must be able to wear all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required for the position. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel; talk or hear; and smell. Must be able to work in all types of varying weather conditions. Must be able to safely work in industrial, solid waste and construction settings. Must be able to safely work around chemicals. Personal and Professional Credentials Bachelor’s Degree Preferred. Excellent verbal and written communications skills. Ability to think critically and problem solve. Self-directed, goal and outcome orientated. Due to Client requirements for facility on-site access, background checks are required. Must possess a valid driver's license. Must be able to be insured by EMT's insurance carrier to drive company vehicles safely and effectively. In addition, the ability to drive off road vehicles is required. Base Pay is $17.25/h. Sterling Labs offers a variety of benefits: PTO Sick Time Off Health insurance Dental Insurance Vision Insurance Parental Leave 401k Short-Term Disability Long-Term Disability Paid Holidays EEO STATEMENT: As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Sterling Labs does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, disability, age, citizenship, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or because of any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state or local law

Keywords: Sterling Labs, West Allis , Entry-Level Environmental Field Tech, Energy / Utilities , Des Plaines, Wisconsin