Water Sampling Technician

Tetra Tech Europe; Bedford; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Tetra Tech is seeking a Water Quality Sampling Technician to join a two-person field team, collecting wastewater samples from rivers, treatment works, and sewer networks across Bedford. You will transport refrigerated samples to the laboratory and complete chain-of-custody paperwork, liaising with lab staff.

Safe practices, route planning to meet deadlines, and professional communication are essential. Full UK driving licence required; training provided.

Qualifications

• Full UK driving licence and willingness to work outdoors.
• Desirable: prior field sampling or utilities experience, confined-space training or relevant vocational qualifications.
• PPE and safe systems of work training provided.

Responsibilities

• Assist in field team collecting wastewater samples from rivers, commercial premises, treatment works and sewer networks.
• Transport refrigerated samples to the laboratory and complete chain-of-custody documentation.
• Plan efficient routes to meet time-critical pickups and laboratory deadlines.
• Maintain clear communication with site contacts and laboratory staff; report incidents and hand over data accurately.
• Work outdoors in all weather and perform manual handling as required.

Skills

Field sampling

Safety adherence

Route planning

Communication

Outdoor work

Education

Full UK driving licence

Confined-space training

Vocational qualifications

Job description

Purpose and scope of the role

As a Water Quality Sampling Technician you will assist in a two‑person field team collecting wastewater samples from rivers, commercial premises, treatment works and sewer networks across a client catchment. This role supports laboratory analysis used to inform treatment processes and pollution prevention on multi‑site programmes. You will transport refrigerated samples to the laboratory, complete chain‑of‑custody documentation, follow risk assessments and liaise with operations staff.

Your impact in this position

Immediately you will ensure timely, compliant sample collection that underpins critical operational decisions. Over six to twelve months you will develop technical sampling skills, confidence in confined‑space and river work, and proficiency in route planning that increases daily coverage. Longer term there are clear development pathways into senior sampling, laboratory liaison or environmental monitoring coordination roles within Tetra Tech, supported by formal training and mentoring.

Core Capabilities Required For Success

Technical sampling and handling

• Competent collection and preservation of wastewater samples, refrigerated transport, accurate completion of paperwork and adherence to chain‑of‑custody protocols.

Health, safety and compliance

• Strict adherence to Risk Assessments and Method Statements, ability to carry out dynamic risk assessments, and safe work in confined spaces, water courses and on highways.

Route planning and organisation

• Strong organisational skills, efficient route planning to meet time‑critical pickups and laboratory deadlines, and reliable diary/time recording.

Customer service and communication

• Clear, professional engagement with site contacts and laboratory staff, prompt reporting of incidents and accurate handover of samples and data.

Physical resilience and manual handling

• Ability to work outdoors in all weathers, perform manual handling (including lifting chamber covers) and maintain attention to detail under physical demands.

Qualifications And Training

Expected: Full UK driving licence, willingness to work outdoors and follow safe systems of work. Full training, PPE and a company smartphone provided.

Desirable: prior field sampling or utilities experience, confined‑space training, or relevant vocational qualifications.

Work patterns and location

Field‑based role centred around Bedford, predominantly Monday–Thursday, 06:00 – 16:00, with early starts and occasional flexible hours or overtime as required. The position is salaried at £27,976 per annum.

Why join Tetra Tech?

Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting and engineering services working across the full project lifecycle worldwide. We have a wide range of expertise across our teams, providing a global support network with a personalised approach to client relationships to better understand where we can add value. We provide a collaborative environment that supports individual performance, innovation, and creativity.

We support public and private sector clients on local, national, and international projects to deliver sustainable and resilient solutions. Our operations in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands include more than 6,000 employees who are Leading with Science to solve our clients’ most complex problems.

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day-to-day role.

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