Spill Response Technician - Umiaq Environmental, LLC

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.

UMIAQ Environmental, LLC (UMIAQ Environmental) is a subsidiary of UIC Commercial Services, a division of Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation. UMIAQ Environmental provides a comprehensive suite of environmental consulting services, which include documentation of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance, construction and access permitting, environmental site assessments, stakeholder engagement, sampling and remediation of contaminated sites, management of hazardous waste, wetlands monitoring, and more. Our staff has decades of combined experience working in locations throughout Alaska.

UMIAQ Environmental is committed to protecting the health and safety of our employees and the environments where we conduct operations.  We recruit qualified people looking to join a workforce characterized by strong leadership, competent and hard-working staff, and a superior work environment with a focus on career development, great wages and benefits.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Perform physical fieldwork including frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, and lifting and carrying items over 30 pounds.
• Work in varying weather conditions and travel (by air or ground) to remote project locations throughout Alaska based on project needs.
• Stay current on industry trends, evolving regulations, and best practices in spill response and environmental health and safety.
• Commit to frequent travel and year-round fieldwork, often requiring more than 40 hours per week, including weekends as needed. Expected travel is 30–50% of the time.

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 Experience and Training:

• 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.

HSET Department

Task

Exposure

Work Environment

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Outside work

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Excessive heat > 80o F

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Excessive cold < 0o F

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Exposure to dust, fumes, smoke or gases

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Constant noise

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Noise level

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Solvents, chemicals

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High voltage electricity

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Walking on slippery, uneven surfaces

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Working on or around hazardous machinery

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Ladders, scaffolding, towers, surfaces 4’ to 12’ above ground

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Stairs

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Cramped or confined spaces

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Working alone

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Remote work sites (no dispensary or hospital)

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Long and/or irregular hours

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Day shift and/or night shift rotations

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Food preparations

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OTHER

Task

Stressors

Physical Demands

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Operation of motor vehicles

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Driving, riding ATV/UTV

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Operation of heavy equipment, aircraft, marine craft, etc.

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Rapid mental and/or muscle coordination

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Walking

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Standing

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Twisting, turning upper body

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Twisting, turning arms, legs

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Crawling, kneeling, stooping

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Safe distant vision

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Good near vision

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Good hearing

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Respirator use:     ☒1/2 Face          ☒ FF     ☐SAR  ☐ SCBA

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Wear ANSI approved safety footwear

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Wear safety glasses

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Wear hard hat

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Other:                                                                                                                                                                                   

Lifting, Carrying, Pushing or Pulling

Occasionally

Up to 15% of daily hours

Frequently

Up to 75% of daily hours

Continuously

Over 75% of daily hours

 Lifting/Carrying: 05 – 10 lbs.

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Lifting/Carrying: 11 – 20 lbs.

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Lifting/Carrying: 21 – 50 lbs.

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Lifting/Carrying: 51 – 75 lbs.

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Pushing/Pulling: 00 – 20 Lbs.

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Pushing/Pulling: 05 – 10 lbs.

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Pushing/Pulling: 11 – 20 lbs.

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Pushing/Pulling: 21 – 50 lbs.

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Pushing/Pulling: 51 – 75 lbs.

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Pushing/Pulling: 76 – 100 lbs.

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