What are the responsibilities and job description for the Environmental Technician position at American Safety Transit?
Position Summary
The Environmental Technician is responsible for responding to and managing various accident cleanup operations, including hazardous material spills, fuel releases, and other environmental incidents. This role ensures that cleanups are conducted safely, efficiently, and in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
Key Responsibilities
- Respond to environmental emergencies, including vehicle accidents, fuel/oil spills, and chemical releases.
- This position must be able to travel on a moment’s notice for project support, including emergency response deployments.
- Set up containment, recovery, and cleanup operations to minimize environmental impact.
- Operate cleanup and remediation equipment (vacuum trucks, pumps, absorbents, etc.).
- Collect and properly handle hazardous and non-hazardous waste for disposal.
- Conduct soil, water, and air sampling for contamination assessment.
- Maintain accurate documentation of response activities, disposal manifests, and regulatory reports.
- Assist in preparing incident response summaries and compliance records.
- Adhere to OSHA, DOT, EPA, and state environmental regulations during all cleanup activities.
- Work collaboratively with first responders, safety officers, and regulatory agencies.
- Perform preventative maintenance and inspections on equipment and personal protective gear.
- Provide scheduled environmental services to customers, such as tank cleaning, industrial services, and preventative maintenance projects.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required; associate’s degree in Environmental Science, Safety, or related field preferred.
- Prior experience in environmental services, spill response, or hazardous waste handling preferred.
- Knowledge of HAZWOPER (40-Hour) standards and OSHA regulations required (or ability to obtain certification).
- Confined Space Entry certification (or ability to obtain certification).
- Valid driver’s license with clean driving record; CDL preferred but not required.
- Strong understanding of hazardous material classification, containment, and disposal.
- Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and lift up to 50 lbs.
- Flexibility to work irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and on-call response.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong safety mindset and situational awareness.
- Effective communication and teamwork with emergency responders and site supervisors.
- Problem-solving ability in high-pressure environments.
- Detail-oriented recordkeeping for compliance documentation.
- Mechanical aptitude to operate cleanup equipment and tools.
Work Environment
- Frequent fieldwork at accident scenes, spill sites, and contaminated areas.
- Exposure to outdoor weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, snow) and varying terrain.
- Work may be performed near traffic, construction zones, or industrial facilities.
- Regular use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including respirators, chemical protective clothing, gloves, safety glasses, hard hats, and steel-toe boots.
- Potential exposure to hazardous substances such as fuels, oils, solvents, or chemicals.
- Occasional extended hours, shift work, and on-call response for emergencies, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds regularly; heavier loads with assistance.
- Frequent bending, kneeling, climbing, standing, and walking for extended periods.
- Ability to safely operate cleanup equipment such as pumps, vacuums, and hand tools.
- Tolerance for wearing PPE and respiratory protection for extended durations.
- Capacity to perform in physically demanding, high-stress situations during emergency responses.
- Must maintain medical clearance for respirator use and fit testing (per OSHA requirements).
Cross-Training Requirement
While your job description defines your primary responsibilities, the company may require you to perform additional duties outside of your regular role as business needs arise. Cross-training ensures that all employees are prepared to support operations and contribute to overall team success.
Employment Relationship and Right-to-Work Notice
Employment with American Safety LLC is at-will, meaning either the employee or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without notice, and for any lawful reason or no reason at all, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. American Safety LLC operates in several Right-to-Work states, where employees are not required to join or financially support a labor union as a condition of employment. This policy reflects the Company’s commitment to maintaining a fair, open, and compliant workplace environment.
Equal Employment Policy
American Safety LLC’s hiring, and employment practices are based on job qualifications, performance, and/or conduct without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, height, weight, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person