Environmental Water Quality Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $23.77 - $28.22 Hourly
Location : Boise City Hall, ID
Job Type: Full Time Regular
Job Number: 23 -07621
Department: Public Works
Division: Water Renewal Services
Opening Date: 06/16/2026
Closing Date: 6/30/2026 12:00 PM Mountain
Summary Statement
We're hiring a dedicated Water Quality Environmental Technician to support the city's commitment to clean water. In this role, you'll contribute directly to public health, environmental integrity, and resource conservation by:

• Performing a wide range of detailed and technical water quality and biological sampling, monitoring, and administrative activities to support city permit compliance requirements under the federal Clean Water Act and Enhance the River Program.
• Ensuring that sampling practices comply with all city policies and ordinance, state and federal regulations, and published sampling protocols.
• Maintaining collection permits, compliance documentation, and data that is entered into environmental databases.

Required Knowledge, Experience, And Training

• Associate's degree and 4 years of experience in environmental and water quality monitoring, supplemented by college-level courses in the theories and principles of water quality sampling, water chemistry, biological sampling and wastewater treatment operations,
• or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience

Licensing And Other Requirements

• Valid state-issued driver's license.
• First Aid and CPR Certification

Why Work Here?

• Zero-premium healthcare for you and your family
• Lifetime pension through PERSI
• Generous time off: 3 weeks' vacation, 96 hours sick, 12 holidays
• Paid parental leave, student loan forgiveness eligibility, wellness incentives, and more

If you're looking for a stable, hands-on role where your skills make a difference, this could be it.
Disclaimer: This job posting may close earlier than the listed closing date. If this occurs, a minimum of 24 hours' notice will be provided prior to closing. Applications received for this recruitment may be used to fill similar vacancies within the City of Boise as they occur.
Essential Functions
Calibrates, troubleshoots and uses continuous and instantaneous temperature, and multiparameter water quality meters to collect water quality data. Maintains accurate data records. Summarizes data and transfers results for upload to the database.
Performs sampling and analyses to quantify chemical and physical parameters in used water, freshwater, groundwater and geothermal systems.
Collects samples using isokinetic depth integrated sampling techniques and sampling compositing methods to collect representative, lotic, surface water samples to meet Idaho Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (IPDES) permit sampling requirements. Assists in sample splitting, filtration and preservation of samples using strict contamination prevention protocols.
Measures stream discharge or interprets flow gauging devices. Assists with installation of flow meters, flumes, automated samplers and other sampling equipment into collection system lines and associated parts of the used water process and distribution system and assists in sample collection activities.
Conducts biological and habitat assessment using scientific methods and protocols including field habitat and GIS based stream map surveys, environmental DNA data collection, macroinvertebrate sampling, snorkel surveys and electrofishing.
Performs administrative tasks to support the sampling and monitoring projects. Participates in project planning activities, quality assurance/quality control program development and annual reviews, field collection method external audits and data summaries.
Maintains water quality and biological equipment calibration and maintenance records for the SAM. Attends safety and related training programs. Uses water quality and biological databases and spreadsheets to creates data summary tables/charts.
Performs other duties as assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.
Requirements
Additional Required Knowledge, Experience, And Training
Knowledge of:

• water quality sampling methods, flow monitoring equipment and testing procedures used in obtaining and testing surface water, domestic and industrial used water samples and related hazards;
• chemical and biological principles, terminology and sampling techniques;
• surface and groundwater hydrology;
• quality assurance/quality control methods and practices; and
• computer usage including related software

Ability to:

• operate a water craft safely;
• read and interpret maps and specifications, draw sketches and perform technical mathematical calculations;
• interpret and apply city, state and federal policies, ordinances, laws, codes, rules and regulations;
• work within safety training guidelines to perform tasks utilizing personal protective equipment, electroshocking backpack and boat equipment.;
• communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance; and
• perform all essential functions as assigned by an authorized employee, supervisor and/or manager with or without reasonable accommodation.

Individuals must be capable of operating vehicles safely and have an acceptable driving record.
Preferred Knowledge, Experience, And Training

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, biology, natural resource management, water/wastewater technology or a related field and
• 4 years of experience in monitoring water and environmental quality.

Special Requirements
Applicants must be able to pass:

• City of Boise background check processes which includes a criminal history check and reference checks in accordance with the City of Boise Hiring Process Regulation
• Driving Record Check

Working Conditions
The physical effort characteristics and working environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Efforts
While performing the duties of this job the employee is always lifting/carrying up to 35 pounds and occasionally lifting/carrying up to 100 pounds. Also, the employee is always pushing/pulling up to 35 pounds, occasionally pushing/pulling up to 75 pounds and rarely pushing/pulling up to 100 pounds. The noise level is frequently loud and occasionally moderate. Work includes sensory ability to talk, hear, smell and touch. Work in this position also includes close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception. Employees will sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, grasp, climb and balance. Position requires hand/finger dexterity. Additional physical efforts include: wading in river, raft/backpack electrofishing, and snorkeling in the river.
Working Environment
The work environment will include inside conditions, outdoor weather conditions, extreme temperatures, in wet and humid conditions, areas of dust, odors, mist and gases or other airborne matter. Employees are exposed to mechanical and electrical hazards, work in/at heights and confined spaces. Employees will also drive a vehicle as part of this position. Work includes protected exposure to infectious bacteria, bodily fluids and chemicals. Subject to hazards associated with work at industrial sites, on roadways and bridges, in rivers and streams, and manholes or sewer lines. Potential exposure to West Nile virus while performing field work. Potential exposure to wasp/bee stings. Wading in river, snorkeling, electrofishing, rafting.
Top talent deserves top-notch benefits. The City is among the best in the Treasure Valley when it comes to the benefits and perks we offer our employees.
Most positions are eligible for the general benefits listed here; firefighters, police officers, senior managers, command staff, and directors may be offered other benefit plans.
Healthcare:

• ZERO premium medical coverage option for you and your family
• Low-cost dental and vision options
• Post-employment health savings account

Retirement and Investment Plans:

• Required participation in PERSI Base Plan retirement benefits with standard employee and City contribution rates
• 401(k) or 457b pre-tax investment options with employer match
• 457b Roth after-tax investment options with no match

WellBeing Program:

• Up to $500 cash per year for participants
• Alternative transportation incentives

Paid Leave - City employees receive generous paid leave:

• 10 hours of vacation per month, and this increases the longer you stay with the City
• 12 paid holidays every year
• 8 hours of sick leave per month
• 10 weeks Parental Leave

Life & Long Term Disability:

• Basic Life insurance at no cost to you
• Long Term Disability insurance at no cost to you

Other optional benefits:

• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Supplemental Disability Insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Free local bus pass
• Corporate discount programs
• AFLAC
• Employee Assistance Program for short-term counseling on work, family, finances, and personal issues

Please visit our website for further details
01
Are you at least 19 years of age or older?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you possess a valid state-issued driver's license?

• Yes, I have a valid state-issued driver's license.
• No, I do not currently have a valid driver's license.

03
This position requires onsite work, including field testing, sample collection, and equipment maintenance. Do you have experience performing similar tasks in outdoor or potentially hazardous environments?

• Yes, I have experience performing similar tasks.
• No, I have no related experience.

04
Please list your experience with fieldwork related to water quality, biological, or similar environmental roles.
Required Question