Field Science Technician

DB Environmental Laboratories; West Palm Beach (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

DB Environmental Laboratories in West Palm Beach, FL, is seeking a Field Science Technician for a field-heavy role (90% outdoors, 10% indoors). You will collect water, vegetation, and soil samples in wetlands, lead field personnel, calibrate equipment, and ensure data quality.

Strong emphasis on adapting to remote field conditions and documenting observations. Required credentials include a Bachelor’s degree in natural or physical sciences and 2 years’ relevant field experience, with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in the natural or physical sciences or related field with 2 years’ sample collection experience in wetlands or aquatic environments.
• Associate’s degree with 4 years’ relevant experience may substitute.
• Experience collecting environmental or water quality samples for low-concentration analytes.
• Ability to work under adverse field conditions (heat, insects, weather).
• Ability to learn and implement SOPs; strong teamwork and communication.

Responsibilities

• Collect high-quality water, vegetation, and soil/sediment samples in wetlands and aquatic environments, often remote.
• Lead a field team to meet project objectives and quality requirements.
• Calibrate, use, maintain field instruments (data sondes) and record data.
• Deploy, program, collect samples from, maintain, and troubleshoot autosamplers.
• Identify South Florida freshwater wetland plants.
• Record ecological observations and relay to project managers.
• Maintain and clean boats and field vehicles at the field office.
• Update and maintain data files using MS Excel; perform admin tasks.

Skills

Outdoor field work

Team leadership

Microsoft Excel

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor’s degree in natural or physical sciences

Associate’s degree with 4 years’ experience substituting

Tools

Data sondes

Autosamplers

Field meters

Microsoft Word

Job description

DB Environmental (DBE) is accepting resumes for a motivated Field Science Technician at their West Palm Beach, FL office. This is a field-based position consisting of 90% outdoor field activities and 10% indoor office activities. Primary responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, collecting water, vegetation, and soil/sediment samples in wetlands and other aquatic environments. Bachelor’s degree in the natural or physical sciences or a related scientific field and two (2) years' experience collecting samples in wetlands or other aquatic environments required. Associate’s degree in the natural or physical sciences or a related scientific field and four (4) years’ experience collecting samples may substitute.

DBE is a small business that provides applied research, management guidance, field monitoring, and analytical laboratory services in wetland and aquatic ecosystems throughout Florida. Areas of expertise include nutrient and metals biogeochemical cycling; design and implementation of in situ and ex situ experiments; remote marsh sampling and instrumentation; and high-quality routine and on-demand sample collection services. DBE’s scientists have published more than 20 peer-reviewed journal articles.

Position Summary

This is a field-based position consisting of 90% outdoor field activities and 10% indoor office activities (this could vary week to week). Primary responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

• Collecting high-quality water, vegetation, and soil/sediment samples in wetlands and other aquatic environments, often in remote locations;

• Leading a team of field personnel to ensure project objectives and quality requirements are met;

• Calibrating, using, and maintaining field instruments to measure and record field data (e.g., data sondes);

• Deploying, programming, collecting samples from, maintaining, and troubleshooting autosamplers;

• Identifying South Florida freshwater wetland plants;

• Recording detailed ecological observations and relaying those observations to project managers;

• Maintaining and cleaning boats and field vehicles at the field office facility;

• Updating and maintaining data files using MS Excel; and

• Performing administrative tasks that support general operations of the field office.

This position will provide a unique, interesting, and diverse work environment in aquatic ecosystems across South Florida; opportunities to gain skills and experience in environmental field work; and a deeper working knowledge of environmental research for a motivated candidate interested in pursuing an environmental career.

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in the natural or physical sciences or a related scientific field and two (2) years’ relevant experience collecting samples in wetlands or other aquatic environments required. Associate’s degree in the natural or physical sciences or a related scientific field and four (4) years’ relevant experience collecting samples may substitute.

• Previous experience must include collecting environmental or water quality samples for low-concentration analytes.

• Demonstrated experience and ability to work effectively under adverse field and weather conditions. Examples include wading in wetlands up to waist-deep, exposure to South Florida heat and rain, and exposure to stinging and biting insects.

• Capacity to independently evaluate operational situations, identify hazards or problematic conditions, and problem-solve to appropriately apply techniques and protocols specified in Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Ability to learn and implement new SOPs.

• Ability to work in small teams in close quarters and operate/ride in vehicles/boats for extended periods.

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office software including Microsoft Excel and Word.

• Demonstration of initiative and willingness to perform a variety of tasks.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Familiarity with Florida Department of Environmental Protection Standard Operating Procedures for Field Activities and experience in following quality control/quality assurance protocols.

• Experience and familiarity with South Florida freshwater wetland environments, biogeochemical issues, and surface and groundwater sampling equipment and protocols.

• Experience and familiarity with water sampling equipment and instruments, including field meters and data sondes (YSI, HOBO, Hach, Hanna, etc.), autosamplers (ISCO, Hach, etc.), peristaltic pumps, and horizontal water samplers (Van Dorn, etc.).

• Experience driving airboats, trailering boats, and operating four-wheel drive vehicles.

Physical Requirements and Working Environment

This position requires the ability to swim and the ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. This position often requires work in adverse field and weather conditions, including but not limited to severe weather and exposure to stinging and biting insects.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation for the position is based on individual experience and qualifications. DBE offers competitive pay, paid vacation and holidays, health/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, and retirement benefits.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. DBE is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.

DBE is an equal opportunity employer.