Entry Level Environmental Technician Jobs
New grad environmental technician jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong internship work or field sampling coursework can carry more weight than a lengthy resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Waste Management & Environmental Services, Healthcare & Medical Services, and Consulting & Professional Services, with employers like Republic Services, GHD, and SGS hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 21+ Entry Level Environmental Technician jobs
Requisition ID: 110311
Share Our Purpose. Be Yourself. Feel Valued.
People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals.
We are Beautifully Different. We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.
For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Position Information
Posted range: $27-$29/hour
The base salary range represents a good faith salary range for this position. This position is eligible for annual incentive pay and has the opportunity for continued salary growth. If you are hired at American Water your base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as market, geography, skills, education and/or experience. At American Water, we are committed to pay equity.
In addition to compensation, you will be offered a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k), Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs and much more!
American Water is also proud to offer employees learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally!
Primary Role
Illinois American Water is seeking a Sr. Water Quality & Environmental Compliance Technician to join our team in Champaign, IL. Ensuring our product is safe, healthy, and reliable for our customers and the community is our constant priority. As the Sr. Water Quality & Environmental Compliance Technician, you will play a critical role in executing critical sampling and testing practices. The winning candidate will have lab experience and good lab practices in order to demonostrate knowledge of regulatory requirements.
The Sr. Water Quality & Environmental Compliance Technician is responsible for collecting samples from various treatment plants and distribution system, performing routine water and wastewater analyses, sample custody, data entry, recordkeeping, and ordering supplies. You will interpret water quality results and initiate chemical dosage changes to treatment process. In addition, you will troubleshoot lab equipment and basic lab equipment maintenance.
In this role, you will be responsible for organizing functions and activities related to environmental management and water quality for assigned facilities. The Sr. Water Quality & Environmental Compliance Technician investigates water quality complaints in the field and determines course of action needed. You will help maintain all applicable lab certifications, accreditations, or approvals to conduct compliance and process quality control work. You will help us adhere to policies, practices, and programs to ensure environmental compliance.
- Please note that we are hiring two (2) vacancies for this position.
#LI-BR1
#LI-On-Site
Key Accountabilities
- Conduct sampling, shipping, and/or analysis, as required, to ensure compliance with federal and state drinking water and wastewater regulations, company approved water quality standards, and special projects
- Continuously evaluate water/wastewater treatment processes/analytical results, and recommend modifications to maintain or improve water quality
- Identify potential issues and problems and initiate responsive actions and mitigate environmental violations
- Monitor/calibrate and troubleshoot analyzers, equipment, etc. to ensure established standards of performance and accuracy are maintained
- Monitor and order lab and sample collection supplies (10%)
- Assist in training of other employees with regards to water quality and environmental concepts (5%)
Knowledge/Skills
- Knowledge of basic chemistry and laboratory techniques and QA/QC programs
- Knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)
- Knowledge of regulatory requirements. Working knowledge of Word, Excel, and Access
- Knowledge of federal and state environmental standards and regulations and understanding of current environmental legislation and regulations
- Regulatory knowledge of proper lab analytical testing methods
- Must understand principles of water and/or wastewater treatment and be able to troubleshoot systems
- Muti-tasking, utilize a variety of software and apps, computer skills
Experience/Education
- Associate's degree preferred, High School diploma or GED required
- Minimum two (2) to four (4) years experience in water, wastewater, laboratory, or environmental compliance preferred
- Lab experience is highly preferred
Travel Requirements
- Local (80%) and regional 2-3 hours away (20%)
Other Job Requirements
- Key Interfaces: Water Quality Supervisor or higher management person, Field Operations, Production, Central lab staff
- Ability to sit, stand, and walk for long periods of time
- Ability to lift 35 lbs
- Stairs required
- Must be able to distinguish colors to conduct testing using normal colorimetric methods
Work Schedule
- Full-time, On-site
- Monday-Friday, daytime hours
- On-call responsibility (rotating)
Work Environment
- Laboratory, Indoor/outdoor, production/office environments
Competencies
Requisition ID: 110311
Share Our Purpose. Be Yourself. Feel Valued.
People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals.
We are Beautifully Different. We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.
For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Position Information
Posted range: $27-$29/hour
The base salary range represents a good faith salary range for this position. This position is eligible for annual incentive pay and has the opportunity for continued salary growth. If you are hired at American Water your base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as market, geography, skills, education and/or experience. At American Water, we are committed to pay equity.
In addition to compensation, you will be offered a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k), Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs and much more!
American Water is also proud to offer employees learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally!
Primary Role
Illinois American Water is seeking a Sr. Water Quality & Environmental Compliance Technician to join our team in Champaign, IL. Ensuring our product is safe, healthy, and reliable for our customers and the community is our constant priority. As the Sr. Water Quality & Environmental Compliance Technician, you will play a critical role in executing critical sampling and testing practices. The winning candidate will have lab experience and good lab practices in order to demonostrate knowledge of regulatory requirements.
The Sr. Water Quality & Environmental Compliance Technician is responsible for collecting samples from various treatment plants and distribution system, performing routine water and wastewater analyses, sample custody, data entry, recordkeeping, and ordering supplies. You will interpret water quality results and initiate chemical dosage changes to treatment process. In addition, you will troubleshoot lab equipment and basic lab equipment maintenance.
In this role, you will be responsible for organizing functions and activities related to environmental management and water quality for assigned facilities. The Sr. Water Quality & Environmental Compliance Technician investigates water quality complaints in the field and determines course of action needed. You will help maintain all applicable lab certifications, accreditations, or approvals to conduct compliance and process quality control work. You will help us adhere to policies, practices, and programs to ensure environmental compliance.
- Please note that we are hiring two (2) vacancies for this position.
#LI-BR1
#LI-On-Site
Key Accountabilities
- Conduct sampling, shipping, and/or analysis, as required, to ensure compliance with federal and state drinking water and wastewater regulations, company approved water quality standards, and special projects
- Continuously evaluate water/wastewater treatment processes/analytical results, and recommend modifications to maintain or improve water quality
- Identify potential issues and problems and initiate responsive actions and mitigate environmental violations
- Monitor/calibrate and troubleshoot analyzers, equipment, etc. to ensure established standards of performance and accuracy are maintained
- Monitor and order lab and sample collection supplies (10%)
- Assist in training of other employees with regards to water quality and environmental concepts (5%)
Knowledge/Skills
- Knowledge of basic chemistry and laboratory techniques and QA/QC programs
- Knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)
- Knowledge of regulatory requirements. Working knowledge of Word, Excel, and Access
- Knowledge of federal and state environmental standards and regulations and understanding of current environmental legislation and regulations
- Regulatory knowledge of proper lab analytical testing methods
- Must understand principles of water and/or wastewater treatment and be able to troubleshoot systems
- Muti-tasking, utilize a variety of software and apps, computer skills
Experience/Education
- Associate's degree preferred, High School diploma or GED required
- Minimum two (2) to four (4) years experience in water, wastewater, laboratory, or environmental compliance preferred
- Lab experience is highly preferred
Travel Requirements
- Local (80%) and regional 2-3 hours away (20%)
Other Job Requirements
- Key Interfaces: Water Quality Supervisor or higher management person, Field Operations, Production, Central lab staff
- Ability to sit, stand, and walk for long periods of time
- Ability to lift 35 lbs
- Stairs required
- Must be able to distinguish colors to conduct testing using normal colorimetric methods
Work Schedule
- Full-time, On-site
- Monday-Friday, daytime hours
- On-call responsibility (rotating)
Work Environment
- Laboratory, Indoor/outdoor, production/office environments
Competencies
See All 21 Entry Level Environmental Technician Jobs
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Top Industries Hiring
- Waste Management & Environmental Services
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- Consulting & Professional Services
- Medical Devices
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Entry Level Environmental Technician Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level environmental technician job?
Entry level environmental technician roles typically look for candidates with a degree or certificate in environmental science, geology, or a related field, plus any hands-on experience from internships, lab coursework, or field sampling work. Familiarity with soil and water sampling procedures, basic data logging, and EPA reporting standards gives candidates a genuine edge. A portfolio of field or lab projects can substitute for formal work history at this stage.
Which companies hire entry level environmental technicians?
Companies hiring entry level environmental technicians right now include Republic Services, GHD, and SGS, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Hiring at this level comes from a mix of environmental consulting firms, civil engineering contractors, government agencies, and industrial facilities that need field and laboratory support staff.
Are there remote entry level environmental technician jobs?
Yes, though most environmental technician roles involve on-site field work by nature. About 0% of entry level environmental technician openings are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions typically involve data entry, report writing, regulatory documentation review, or GIS mapping rather than direct field sampling.
Are these new grad environmental technician jobs?
Yes, this page includes new grad, recent graduate, and junior environmental technician roles alongside other entry level postings. A new grad friendly posting typically welcomes zero to two years of experience, accepts internships or co-op work in place of full-time history, and values a strong academic project or portfolio. Look for language like 'will train' or 'internship experience considered' as clear signals.
Which industries hire the most entry level environmental technicians?
Entry Level environmental technician roles concentrate in Waste Management & Environmental Services, Healthcare & Medical Services, and Consulting & Professional Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Those sectors drive hiring at this level because they face ongoing regulatory compliance requirements, site assessment projects, and environmental monitoring obligations that create steady demand for field and lab support staff.