Water Quality Technician

Grounded in safety, quality, and ethics, our experts lead their fields and guide our work with rigor, a creative spirit, and vision for growth. We draw from more than 20 technical specialties around the globe and are committed to fostering an inclusive community of diverse talents, backgrounds, and expertise. We’re a place to apply your passion and collaborate with top environmental talents on work that’s critical to our clients and the communities they support. Join a team that has the environment down to a science.

Your Opportunity

Stantec is seeking a full time Water Quality/Science Technician to provide field support for the South Florida Water Management District’s (SFWMD) Water Quality Bureau. This position is based at the SFWMD Field Station in West Palm Beach, FL, within a team that monitors water quality to comply with permit requirements and legal mandates, and to provide information in support of management decisions and strategies for restoration.

The selected candidate will be hired by Stantec and will serve as an onsite staff member to the SFWMD. The position will support routine compliance water quality monitoring, groundwater, atmospheric deposition (rain), fish, soil/sediment, vegetation and other biological sample collections.

The Technician will accompany SFWMD staff on field trips to remote project sites for water quality and multi-parameter field sample collections. The majority of work will be the collection of surface water samples by land, boat or helicopter, at various field locations. Field efforts often include exposure to hot, humid, and wet conditions in areas occupied by animals such as alligators, snakes, and stinging/biting insects.

The position will work four 10-hour days, Monday thru Thursday of each week. Field days start in West Palm Beach, FL and occur throughout the SFWMD network.

Your Key Responsibilities

The Water Quality/Science Technician is expected to a) follow FDEP SOPs (DEP-SOP-001/01) and the WQM Quality System Requirements; b) operate, calibrate and maintain field instrumentation and equipment including automatic water sampling equipment, multi-parameter water quality instruments, boats, vehicles, and Global Positioning System (GPS); c) collect field data and samples; d) document field conditions and/or data utilizing the Horizon Data Field Management (HFDM) application on field computers; e) troubleshoot instrument problems; f) perform specialized sampling, such as ultra-trace mercury and pesticide sampling following SOPs; and g) prepare samples for laboratory analysis. The Water Quality/Science Technician position will also be required to perform manual labor such as organize field supplies and equipment, load/unload vehicles, set up/take down equipment and may perform site management.

In addition to the above, this position will include:

• Preparation for field trips.
• Collection of in-situ surface water quality field measurements using multi-parameter water quality sondes (e.g., Hydrolab, YSI, or equivalent).
• Collection of surface water samples using automatic water samplers and surface water sampling equipment such as Van Dorn (a.k.a. Niskin) samplers.
• Collection of soil/sediment samples using PONAR dredges, corers, or other appropriate sampling devices.
• Collection of all appropriate QC samples.
• Performing all field sample and data collection activities in strict compliance with sampling protocols and quality assurance requirements.
• The documentation of all maintenance (e.g., autosampler) activities.
• Data reporting of site and field conditions, in-situ surface water parameters from continuous monitoring equipment, blue-green algae status and observations, among others.
• Documentation will be performed using portable field computer, field data collection software, and related software.
• Cleaning and decontamination of sampling equipment, as well as cleaning vehicle, laboratory, and warehouse space.
• This position may be required to provide support before, during and after major storm events and emergency situations, such as hurricanes or other declared emergencies, depending on assigned emergency response role.
• Exertion plus travel: Composition of office and field work (percentage dependent upon position requirements), with regular exposure to a hot and humid environment in remote and heavy vegetative areas.
• Staff will often be exposed to environments with stinging/biting insects, snakes, alligators, polluted water, contaminants, acids, and debris.

Qualifications

Your Capabilities and Credentials:

• Experience in field sampling techniques for surface water, working with field and water quality equipment, and trailering and operating powerboats (up to 23 feet in length) is highly preferred.
• Must be agile with good balance, and with the manual dexterity to perform repetitive tasks and to move across rough and uneven terrain.
• Familiarity with use of data reporting and field software for data recording will be helpful.
• Have a valid Driver’s License and the ability to drive 4-wheel drive vehicles over unpaved and sometimes rough terrain; experience trailering and driving large passenger trucks (Ford F250s, Chevy Silverado 2500s, etc.) is preferred.
• Can passenger and work off boats, airboats, and helicopters after completing required safety training; boat operating experience is preferred.
• The expectation of working in, on, or near water requires basic water skills with the ability to swim.
• Can stand and/or kneel for extended periods outdoors during all weather conditions.
• Be able to lift 50 LBS.
• Be able to bend and/or twist while picking up and moving/transporting equipment.
• Vision (near vision-computer screen; far vision-driving/operating equipment).
• Where lawful and at Stantec’s discretion, your passing drug and alcohol testing.

Education and experience

• A minimum of an associate’s degree in a Natural or Physical Science or related field.
• At least 2-years related work experience in a scientific discipline.

Past Applicants: Past applicants are encouraged to reapply if not selected from previous requisitions.

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.

About Stantec

Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible.

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Primary Location: United States | FL | West Palm Beach

Organization: 1726 EnvSvcs-US Gulf East-West Palm Beach FL

Employee Status: Regular

Travel: No

Schedule: Full time

Job Posting: 10/12/2025 02:12:21

Req ID: 1003356

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.