Environmental Inspector Jobs
Environmental Inspector jobs are open across government agencies, consulting firms, construction, and energy companies, with specializations in air quality, water quality, and hazardous materials compliance, at every level from entry-level field technician to senior inspector and program manager. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 80+ Environmental Inspector jobs
Certified Environmental Inspector
IAQ, Mold, Water, Asbestos, Lead, VOCs, Fire & Industrial Hygiene
Air Quality Testers (AQT) Northern California / San Francisco Bay Area Flexible Part-Time to Full-Time W-2 Employee, Non-Exempt Field Position
Compensation
Base pay: $30-$50+ per hour, based on credentials and experience, for all hours worked + separate mileage, parking, and toll reimbursement
+ performance bonuses based on revenue generated and KPIs
Approved business mileage is reimbursed separately at the current IRS rate. For illustration: 10 miles equals $7.60, 20 miles equals $15.20, 30 miles equals $22.80, and 40 miles equals $30.40. Mileage reimbursement is not included in the hourly pay range above.
Your hourly rate is set based on the certifications you hold and your professional experience. Highly credentialed and experienced inspectors may earn above $50 per hour. AQT does not guarantee a fixed number of projects or hours.
Inspectors are also eligible for performance bonuses based on revenue generated and individual KPIs. Bonus criteria, targets, and payment timing will be provided in writing. AQT provides all testing equipment and PPE at no cost to the inspector.
Position Highlights
- $30-$50 per hour based on credentials and experience, paid for all hours worked
- Performance bonuses based on revenue generated and KPIs
- Company-provided scheduled inspections
- All testing equipment and PPE provided by AQT at no cost
- Mileage, parking, and toll reimbursement
- Flexible part-time to full-time availability
- Career advancement into senior inspection and project management
- Company-vehicle eligibility for qualifying top performers
About Air Quality Testers
Air Quality Testers is an independent environmental consulting firm specializing in science-based environmental testing, building investigations, and indoor environmental assessments.
AQT performs third-party testing and consulting and does not perform remediation. This allows our inspectors to provide clients with objective findings and independent recommendations.
Our services include:
- Mold inspections
- Asbestos inspections and sampling
- Lead inspections, sampling, and testing
- Water damage and water intrusion assessments
- Water quality sampling and testing
- Indoor air quality testing
- VOC and formaldehyde testing
- Fire and smoke contamination assessments
- Industrial hygiene services
- Allergen testing
- Soil testing
- Post-remediation verification
- Building-related environmental consulting
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced and certified Environmental Inspector to perform on-site inspections, sampling, and documentation for residential and commercial clients.
AQT provides scheduled client projects, environmental testing equipment, personal protective equipment, laboratory coordination, operational support, and report-production assistance.
This position is designed for an inspector who wants the flexibility of a part-time to full-time schedule and the security of hourly pay.
Primary Responsibilities
- Perform environmental inspections and sample collection at residential and commercial properties
- Understand client concerns and carry out the assigned testing scope
- Conduct moisture, infrared, and visual building assessments
- Investigate water damage, leaks, and moisture intrusion, including identifying likely sources and affected materials
- Collect water samples following proper sampling and laboratory protocols
- Perform lead sampling, including dust wipes, soil, and paint samples, in accordance with applicable regulations and laboratory protocols
- Inspect attics, crawlspaces, and other accessible building areas when safe
- Identify conditions on site that may warrant additional testing and report them to AQT
- Document observations through photographs, videos, and detailed field notes
- Complete chain-of-custody and laboratory documentation
- Maintain accurate project, CRM, and timekeeping records
- Communicate preliminary observations professionally without overstating findings
- Review laboratory results and report drafts
- Add project-specific findings, recommendations, and corrections
- Coordinate with AQT's report-writing and quality-assurance team
- Maintain and protect company equipment
- Follow company safety, ethical, and quality-control procedures
Hourly Compensation
The inspector is paid hourly for all compensable work, including:
- Client communication and follow-up
- Compensable business travel
- Inspections and sampling
- Laboratory drop-offs
- Equipment and supply stops
- Field documentation
- Report review and recommendations
- Meetings and training
- Required administrative work
Inspectors using an approved personal vehicle for authorized company business receive separate mileage reimbursement, plus reimbursement for approved parking and tolls.
Required Qualifications
- Must currently hold at least one relevant environmental, indoor-air-quality, mold, water damage, asbestos, lead (including Lead Sampling Technician), industrial-hygiene, or building-science certification
- Must currently hold a Certified Asbestos Consultant (CAC) or Certified Site Surveillance Technician (CSST) and maintain active certifications
- Professional experience performing environmental inspections, testing, sampling, or building assessments
- Strong client communication skills
- Strong technical documentation and report-review skills
- Ability to explain technical information clearly and professionally
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to objective findings
- Ability to work independently in residential and commercial environments
- Comfortable accessing attics, crawlspaces, and other building areas when safe
- Valid driver's license
- Acceptable driving history
- Reliable transportation for field assignments
- Ability to use mobile applications, CRM systems, and digital reporting tools
- Ability to follow company procedures, safety requirements, and quality standards
Relevant Certifications May Include
- Lead Sampling Technician (LST)
- Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor
- Certified Site Surveillance Technician (CSST)
- Certified Asbestos Consultant (CAC)
- NORMI Certified Mold Assessor (CMA)
- NORMI Certified Mold Inspector (CMI)
- ACAC certifications
- NATEC training or certifications
- InterNACHI certifications
- Certified Indoor Environmentalist or related credentials
- Industrial-hygiene certifications
- Building-science certifications
- Mold, moisture, water, asbestos, lead, or indoor-air-quality credentials
Applicants should clearly list all current certifications, licenses, training, and expiration dates when applying.
What AQT Provides
- $30-50+ per hour base pay, based on credentials and experience
- Performance bonuses based on revenue generated and KPIs
- Scheduled client projects
- All environmental testing and sampling equipment, provided at no cost
- Personal protective equipment
- Laboratory coordination and support
- Report-production assistance
- Quality-assurance and technical support
- Training on AQT procedures and services
- Continuing education opportunities
- Flexible part-time to full-time availability
- Access to larger residential and commercial projects
- Clear advancement into senior inspection and project management
Qualifying top performers may become eligible for additional benefits, leadership opportunities, and a company-provided vehicle based on reliability, inspection quality, client satisfaction, safe driving, policy compliance, vehicle availability, and business needs.
Work Schedule and Territory
This is a flexible field-based position serving Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area.
The position may range from part-time to full-time, depending on inspector availability, client demand, project location, certifications, geographic routing, and business needs.
Inspectors may complete multiple projects in one day and may travel throughout their assigned service territory.
AQT does not guarantee a fixed number of projects, hours, or a 40-hour workweek.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is:
- Technically experienced
- Properly certified
- Professional with clients
- Honest and objective
- Organized and responsive
- Detail-oriented in the field and in documentation
- Comfortable taking ownership of each inspection from start to finish
This is a strong opportunity for an experienced environmental professional who wants:
Flexible scheduling, steady hourly pay based on your credentials and experience, company-scheduled projects, and a clear path into senior inspection or project management.
Pay: $30.00 - $50.00 per hour
Expected hours: No more than 30.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Flexible schedule
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: On the road
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Find Environmental Inspector JobsEnvironmental Inspector Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Path Light Pro26
- Labella Associates6
- NorthStar Environmental Testing3N
- HB NEXT2
- Stantec2
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in environmental inspector jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in environmental science, biology, chemistry, or a related field
- Knowledge of federal and state environmental regulations including Clean Water Act and RCRA
- 40-hour HAZWOPER certification or willingness to obtain it before start date
- Experience conducting field inspections, sampling, and writing compliance reports
- Proficiency with GPS equipment, field data collection software, and inspection documentation tools
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel to inspection sites, including remote locations
Tips for Your Environmental Inspector Job Search
Tailor your resume to inspection types
Hiring managers scan for the specific inspection type first, whether that's stormwater, air emissions, solid waste, or remediation. List each inspection category you've performed as its own line item, not buried in a paragraph of general duties.
List your certifications above your education
For environmental inspector roles, a current 40-hour HAZWOPER certification, a state-issued inspector license, or a CESSWI credential carries more weight than your degree title. Put active certifications in a dedicated section near the top of your resume.
Target openings that match your regulatory familiarity
Federal postings under EPA or Army Corps of Engineers look for Clean Water Act and RCRA fluency, while state agency roles often emphasize local permit programs. Read each posting for the specific regulations cited and mirror that language in your application.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists environmental inspector openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare field scenario answers for interviews
Interviewers for field-based positions almost always ask how you've handled a site condition that deviated from the inspection plan. Prepare two or three concrete examples that show you documented findings accurately, escalated appropriately, and maintained chain of custody.
Negotiate based on travel demand and certifications
Many environmental inspector positions require overnight travel for site visits, which is a legitimate basis for negotiating beyond the posted range. Identify whether the role carries a per diem policy and factor that into your counteroffer before you respond.
Environmental Inspector Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most environmental inspectors?
The most active employers for environmental inspectors right now are Path Light Pro, Labella Associates, and NorthStar Environmental Testing, and the most openings are in New York, Florida, and Virginia, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Both government agencies and private environmental consulting firms consistently post the highest volumes of open positions.
How many environmental inspector jobs are remote?
About 67% of environmental inspector openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most inspection work. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements are permit review, compliance auditing, and data analysis roles that don't require daily site visits.
How do you become an environmental inspector?
Start with a degree in environmental science, biology, chemistry, or a closely related field. Pursue a 40-hour HAZWOPER certification early, since it appears in a large share of job postings. Gain field experience through internships with a state environmental agency or an environmental consulting firm, then apply for entry-level inspection or technician roles to build your inspection log and regulatory knowledge before moving into senior positions.
How do you get hired as an environmental inspector with little or no experience?
Focus on entry-level technician and inspector aide postings, which typically require only a relevant degree and HAZWOPER certification rather than years of field hours. Volunteer or intern with a state environmental agency, a watershed protection nonprofit, or a local public works department to get documented field time. Highlight any coursework in environmental law, field sampling methods, or geographic information systems, since those translate directly to inspection tasks.
What does the environmental inspector interview process look like?
Most employers start with a phone screen focused on your regulatory knowledge and certifications. A hiring manager interview follows, typically combining behavioral questions about how you've handled non-compliant conditions or challenging site access with technical questions about sampling procedures and report writing. For agency positions, a structured panel interview with scored questions is common. Some employers add a brief written exercise asking you to review a mock inspection report and identify deficiencies.
Where can I find and apply to environmental inspector jobs?
You can find and apply to environmental inspector jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your inspection specialty, certifications, and preferred location, then apply directly to each one that fits your background.
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