Environmental Technician (Field Based)

ERM is hiring an Environmental Technician in Sparwood, BC, Canada to carry out routine surface water monitoring across the Elk Valley.

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) limited-term role with a duration of 3 months, extendable.

Responsibilities:

• Execute scheduled sampling rounds at established monitoring locations — streams, tributaries, discharge points, and receiving environment stations — following site-specific sampling plans
• Collect samples in accordance with the BC Field Sampling Manual and project SOPs: correct bottle sets and order of collection, field filtration for dissolved fractions, correct preservation, and appropriate fill and headspace
• Record in-situ field parameters (pH, conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity) using calibrated field meters
• Decontaminate sampling equipment between stations and follow clean-hands protocols to prevent cross-contamination
• Observe and document field conditions: flow character, weather, ice conditions, visual water quality, access constraints, and anything anomalous
• Maintain complete, legible, defensible field notes and photo documentation for every station, every visit
• Collect the full suite of quality control samples on schedule — field duplicates, field and trip blanks, equipment rinsate blanks, and splits — at the frequencies set out in the sampling plan
• Verify bottle labelling, station IDs, and sample dates and times against the plan before samples leave the field
• Calibrate field meters daily and record calibration and verification results
• Identify and report deviations honestly and immediately: missed stations, broken bottles, temperature excursions, inaccessible sites, suspected contamination. A documented deviation is recoverable; an undocumented one invalidates a dataset
• Reconcile each round's field records against the sampling plan and confirm nothing was missed before closing out

• Prepare bottle orders and coolers ahead of each round; manage ice packs, preservatives, and consumable inventory
• Pack coolers to maintain required temperature, include temperature blanks, and protect samples in transit
• Complete chain-of-custody documentation accurately and legibly — custody is a legal record and the single most common source of data disputes
• Coordinate courier pickups and drop-offs to meet laboratory hold times, working backward from courier cutoffs when planning each round
• Confirm sample receipt with the laboratory, and follow up promptly on receipt discrepancies, temperature exceptions, or missing bottles

• Take streamflow measurements and support servicing of hydrometric stations and continuous water quality sondes
• Download loggers and verify data completeness in the field

• Enter and QA/QC field data into project databases and digital field forms (e.g., EQuIS, ArcGIS Field Maps)
• Flag data quality issues and exceedances promptly to the project team
• Draft short field summary memos documenting each sampling round

• Calibrate, clean, and maintain field instruments and sampling equipment between rounds
• Comply fully with ERM and client health and safety requirements, including site orientations, Field Level Risk Assessments, and journey management
• Work respectfully on the territory of Ktunaxa Nation communities, following ERM and client cultural awareness protocols

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Environmental Sciences, or related field is preferred.
• Ability to walk long distances and carry heavy field equipment.
• Ability to work in remote locations in varied weather conditions and on varied terrain.
• Effective observational and organization skills; experience documenting detailed technical data an asset.
• Adaptability and flexibility.
• Effective communication skills.
• Proficient in basic computer skills (i.e. Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint) for communication and field reporting.
• A valid driver’s license and a good driving record; ability to drive to the various project locations; ability to rent a vehicle.

Pay Transparency: 

For the Environmental Technician position, we anticipate the annual base pay of $63,000.00 - $80,140.00, $30.28/hr – $38.52/hr CAD, limited-term, non-exempt.  An employee’s pay position within this range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, and business or organizational needs.  We also may have instances where employee’s fall outside of the range based on the factors noted above.  This job may be eligible for bonus pay (casual and fixed term/Flexforce employees are NOT bonus eligible). 

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical, dental, vision, 401(k), life & disability insurance to benefits eligible* employees. 

*Benefits Eligibility is limited to Regular employees regularly scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week.  Fixed-Term employees (including Flexforce US Only) who are regularly scheduled to work 20 hours a week or more are eligible for a limited benefits package.  Casual employees are NOT benefits eligible. See your recruiter for more details. 

You can apply for this role through https://www.erm.com/careers/apply/ or through the internal careers portal if you are a current employee. 

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, determinable, and payable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, or any other form of compensation that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law. 

Who We Are: 

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations. 

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level. 

Please submit your resume and brief cover letter. Based on review of these responses, shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews.  

ERM welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. 

ERM is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability. 

ERM does not accept recruiting agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, ERM employees or any other company location. ERM is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. 

Thank you for your interest in ERM!