Staff Scientist

SUMMARY

Serve as an entry-level project team member to perform project tasks associated with the analysis, evaluation, assessment, characterization, investigation, design, remediation, and/or permitting of a facility, property, or site. Environmental Staff Scientists may also provide support to the Civil and Geotechnical teams where appropriate. Assistance and/or guidance will be provided by more experienced staff members or supervisors.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform task level activities as assigned by more experienced staff members, project managers, or supervisors;
• With direction, collect samples individually and as part of a field team; operate, calibrate, and maintain necessary field equipment and instruments; perform routine personnel and instrument decontamination; collect or oversee samples during drilling or for sampling; prepare and package samples for shipping to an analytical laboratory; and ship samples to an analytical laboratory for analysis;
• With direction, complete accurate analysis and interpretation of reports; maps; drawings; specifications; local, state, and federal environmental and construction regulations; test results; and other data necessary for assigned task or project;
• With direction, review, evaluate, and/or create accurate reports, maps, drawings, plans, specifications, and tables; understand Excel, and geographic information systems (GIS), and computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) operations as well as the relationships between the raw data collected and that of the finished work product;
• Familiarity with basic calculations and applicable federal, state, and local rules and regulations as they apply to project work; works with project team members to perform and complete a wide range of projects;
• Identify and classify soils in the field using appropriate standards for geologic or engineering assessment. Observe and/or inspect project sites prior to, during, or after construction to monitor and/or assess construction progress and ensure conformance with engineering plans, specifications, regulations, and accepted construction and safety standards, and prepare written construction inspection and observation summaries;
• Review and interpret reports, maps, drawings, specifications, regulations, ordinances, field test results, design manuals, aerial photographs, and other data necessary for civil, environmental investigation and remediation, and geotechnical engineering projects. Communicate technical information with equipment and materials vendors, accurately document such communications, and apply the information obtained to the relevant project work;
• Assist project team to prepare, review, and modify, as necessary, technical reports, plans, specifications, and other engineering or project documents;
• With assistance from project team members, observe and/or inspect project sites prior to, during, or after construction to monitor and/or assess construction progress and ensure conformance with engineering plans, specifications, regulations, and accepted construction and safety standards, and prepare written construction inspection and observations summaries;
• With assistance from project team members, collect necessary field data through observation or through basic field data collection techniques using basic field instruments such as water quality meters, field survey equipment, tape measures, flow meters, turbidity samplers, sieve analyses, and cameras; 
• Assume other responsibilities and perform other related duties as needed

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are generally representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required for this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from an accredited four-year college or university in science (e.g., Environmental Science, or related field); zero to three years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations, Other

Must possess a valid driver’s license, have own transportation, and be able to travel for project site visits, meetings, data collection, and training. Travel is highly dependent upon project work requirements and may be extensive at times.

Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) certification.  

Achievement of a certification, license and/or registration must benefit Nobis for current and/or future anticipated work.

Language Skills

Able to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical documents, engineering design drawings and calculations, and regulations. Able to write reports, correspondence, inspection reports, project correspondence. Able to effectively communicate and present information using scientific techniques/methodologies, and to respond to questions from team members, project managers, groups of managers, clients, and contractors.

Mathematical Skills

Able to apply complex math concepts and scientific analysis to produce practical solutions. Able to apply arithmetic and concepts of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, logic, and financial functions.

Reasoning Ability

Able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Able to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical, photographic, or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have a working knowledge of word processing applications and spreadsheets, internet searching techniques, electronic mail, and company intranet and servers. Software may include CADD software, GIS, spreadsheet applications, boring log software, and Microsoft office products, among others.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee will be required to walk or climb on project sites or properties. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. OSHA medical surveillance may be required.  

Employees are often required to collect samples and to assess and review design projects in situ, which requires ability to drive to and from site locations, to traverse uneven terrain at undeveloped sites, to walk along roadsides or riverbanks, and to use ladders or aerial lifts to visually inspect buildings, culverts, bridges, sites, etc. Occasionally employees are required to monitor active construction sites and must be able to safely maneuver around such sites. Most employees are required to perform such duties on an occasional basis. Some are assigned field monitoring and oversight on a full-time basis.

Safety

The employee is expected to promote and maintain a safe work environment, adhering to safety regulations and guidelines. Proper health and safety provision will be provided in accordance with OSHA requirements.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be exposed to outside weather conditions at project sites or properties. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

LEADERSHIP & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Attend industry and/or technical conferences; join and attend functions for at least one professional organization.