Spill Response Technician

Overview

UMIAQ Environmental is seeking a Spill Response Technician and Coordinator to lead and support the implementation of field safety and emergency response protocols across diverse environmental projects involving spill response and cleanup. This critical role ensures the health and safety of personnel during emergency and routine spill response operations, and maintains full compliance with OSHA standards, environmental regulations, and industry best practices. The Spill Response Technician and Coordinator will serve as a key field leader, responsible for organizing and executing spill response activities, maintaining readiness of response equipment and materials, and supporting site assessments, remediation efforts, and compliance monitoring. This position plays a vital role in promoting a strong safety culture, minimizing environmental impacts, and ensuring timely and effective responses to hazardous material releases.  The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in spill response, hazardous materials management, and environmental emergency planning. This role requires strong analytical skills, technical expertise, and the ability to work collaboratively in both field and office settings.

Responsibilities

Essential functions will include:

• Develop, implement, and maintain site-specific safety and health programs for environmental projects, including hazardous waste site assessments, spill response, remediation, and environmental monitoring.
• Conduct regular safety audits, risk assessments, and site inspections to ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and state-specific environmental regulations.
• Ensure proper handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials and contaminated waste in accordance with regulatory standards.
• Train employees on safety procedures, hazard communication, and emergency response protocols specific to environmental and spill response projects.
• Develop, implement, and maintain spill response plans, protocols, and procedures.
• Coordinate and lead emergency response efforts during hazardous material spills, ensuring rapid and compliant actions.
• Conduct regular training sessions and emergency drills for staff on spill response procedures and equipment use.
• Assess spill incidents and determine appropriate and effective response actions in the field.
• Liaise with regulatory agencies, emergency responders, clients, and contractors during spill events and follow-up activities.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations across all project phases.
• Prepare, submit, and maintain accurate documentation and reports related to spill incidents, response actions, waste manifests, and field activities.
• Conduct risk assessments and recommend preventive strategies to reduce the likelihood and severity of future spill incidents.
• Maintain, inspect, and track spill response equipment, supplies, and personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure operational readiness at all times.
• Participate in environmental audits and inspections, supporting project and safety compliance.
• Lead and support spill response and cleanup operations in a variety of field settings, including remote and arctic conditions.
• Develop, implement, and enforce site-specific Health and Safety Plans (HASP) and ensure team compliance during field operations.
• Coordinate with internal teams, clients, and subcontractors to ensure efficient and safe project execution during spill events and environmental cleanups.
• Conduct safety briefings, tailgate meetings, and field audits to reinforce a strong safety culture among project personnel.
• Assist in developing after-action reviews and debriefs, capturing lessons learned and opportunities for improvement in future responses.
• Support environmental project teams during non-spill periods by contributing to field coordination, sampling, and site assessment tasks.
• Apply strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills in high-pressure field situations.
• Stay current on industry trends, evolving regulations, and best practices in spill response and environmental health and safety.

Qualifications

Required Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Science, Industrial Hygiene, or a related field (preferred).
• More than 3 years of experience in site safety for environmental science projects, construction, or industrial settings.
• Knowledge of OSHA, EPA, DOT, and hazardous waste handling regulations.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to enforce safety protocols in dynamic environments.
• Certifications such as OSHA 30, HAZWOPER 40, CHST, CSP, or equivalent (preferred).
• First Aid/CPR certification (preferred or required).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of waste characterization and hazardous waste management under RCRA
• Experience in hazardous waste and hazardous materials management.
• Experience with oil spill response tactics, dispersants, and mechanical recovery.
• Knowledge of Arctic logistics and supply chain challenges for emergency response operations.
• Familiarity with wildlife protection and habitat restoration in Arctic spill response scenarios.
• Understanding of Indigenous community engagement and co-management practices in Arctic regions.

Physical and Mental Demands:

• Operation of motor vehicles, ATVs/UTVs, and heavy equipment (aircraft, marine craft, etc.).

• Rapid mental and/or muscle coordination.

• Frequent walking, standing, twisting, and turning of the upper body, arms, and legs.

• Crawling, kneeling, stooping, and climbing.

• Visual and auditory requirements: safe distant vision, good near vision, and good hearing.

• Regular use of respirators (½ face and full face) and mandatory use of ANSI-approved safety footwear, safety glasses, and hard hats.

• Lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling:

  • Continuously (over 75% of daily hours): up to 20 lbs.

  • Occasionally to Frequently (15%–50% of daily hours): 21–75 lbs. lifting/carrying; 21–100+ lbs. pushing/pulling.

Working Conditions:

• Flexibility to work in challenging and dynamic environments.

• Outdoor conditions, including excessive heat (>80°F) and extreme cold (<0°F).

• Potential exposure to dust, fumes, smoke, solvents, chemicals, and constant noise.

• Slippery, uneven surfaces, stairs, ladders, scaffolding, towers, and elevated work areas (4’–12’ above ground).

• Confined or cramped spaces and remote worksites without immediate medical facilities.

• Long and/or irregular hours, including day and night shift rotations.

• Working alone or around hazardous machinery.

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