Senior Geochemist/Hydrogeochemist

WSP USA; Redmond; On-site; AUD 106,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP USA is seeking a Senior Geochemist/Hydrogeochemist to join our Mine Environment team. The role focuses on geochemistry and hydrogeochemistry projects across the mining industry, supporting permitting, baseline studies, laboratory and field programs, and numerical modeling.

You will mentor junior staff, develop client relationships, and contribute to proposal efforts while delivering high-quality reports on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Geology, Geochemistry, Hydrogeology, Environmental Science or related field with strong quantitative background on aqueous geochemistry; graduate degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in geochemistry, consulting or adjacent field.
• Understanding of hydrology, hydrogeology, and water interactions.
• Knowledge of mining-related environmental practices and standard geochemical characterization methods.
• Development of conceptual models for fate and transport through data from multiple disciplines.
• Critical thinking in assessment of geochemical data for model development and decision making.
• Experience with data management and statistical tools (Excel, EQuIS, Python, R).
• Experience with PHREEQC, Geochemist's Workbench, GoldSim, MIN3P or similar software.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for geochemical projects including permitting, baseline studies, and remediation.
• Support proposal development, schedules and budgets for geochemical investigations.
• Develop and execute conceptual models, lab/field programs, and numerical modeling.
• Prepare technical reports, memorandums, and presentations for clients.
• Lead multi-project delivery to meet client scopes, timelines and budgets.
• Design and oversee laboratory and field programs for project execution.
• Manage, validate, analyze, and interpret geochemical datasets.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to integrate geochemical results with other disciplines.
• Mentor junior staff and develop client relationships; promote safety culture.

Skills

Geochemistry

Hydrogeochemistry

Hydrology

Data analysis

Python

R

Excel

Communication

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Geology/Geochemistry/Hydrogeology/Environmental Science or related field

Tools

PHREEQC

Geochemist's Workbench

GoldSim

MIN3P

EQuIS

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP has an opportunity for a Senior Geochemist / Hydrogeochemist to join our Mine Environment team on a full-time basis. Possible office locations include Lakewood, Colorado and Redmond, Washington. As part of the team, you will have access to an unparalleled network of resources and opportunities to collaborate on exciting projects with diverse teammates from across the globe.

The selected candidate will support geochemistry and hydrogeochemistry-related projects and proposal efforts with an emphasis on the global mining industry. You will work directly with our senior geochemists on challenging projects and be responsible for contributing to mentoring and supervision of junior staff, data analysis and interpretation, geochemical modeling, proposal development, and technical reporting. You will contribute to the growth of our geochemistry team of professionals in the United States, while supporting our mine water hydrogeology and mine waste management projects. Projects typically involve permitting, baseline characterization studies, operational support, closure support and reclamation/remediation. We are looking for someone to bring their talents, training, enthusiasm, and solutions-oriented focus to work as a valued and respected member of our multidisciplinary team as we tackle challenging environmental problems by delivering relevant solutions.

Your Impact

• Provide support and leadership for geochemical projects, including permitting, baseline studies, operational support, closure support and reclamation/remediation, in particular, for the mining industry, but also for other industries

• Support the development of proposals, schedules and budgets related to the completion of geochemical/hydrogeochemical investigations and characterization studies associated with groundwater, surface water, liquid and solid wastes, and geological materials

• Work in project teams to develop and execute:

• Project proposals and assessment approaches

• Conceptual models to describe the fate and transport of constituents in groundwater and surface water

• Laboratory and/or field programs to support conceptual and numerical model development

• Numerical models, including development, calibration, and validation

• Technical reports, memorandums, presentations, and other project deliverables

• Support and/or lead multiple projects according to client-approved scopes of work, and delivery of high-quality reports on time and within budget

• Design, plan, and oversee laboratory and field programs to support project execution

• Support and lead the management, validation, analysis and interpretation of geochemical datasets.

• Work with multi-disciplinary project teams to integrate results of geochemical/hyrogeochemical characterization programs with other disciplines to meet project objectives (e.g., development of models to assess the fate and transport of constituents, development of acid-rock drainage/metal leaching management plans)

• Supervise, train, and mentor junior staff to develop their skillsets including technical skills, project experience, and general consulting and decision-making skills

• Take an active role in developing and maintaining client relationships

• Actively promote a “Safety-First” focus

• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures

• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Geology, Geochemistry, Hydrogeology, Environmental Science or related field, with a strong quantitative background and focus on aqueous geochemistry; graduate degree preferred.

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in geochemistry, consulting or an adjacent professional field

• Understanding of hydrology, hydrogeology, and surface water and groundwater interactions

• Knowledge of mining-related environmental practices and standard geochemical characterization methods

• Demonstration of the development of conceptual models for the fate and transport of constituents through integration of data from multiple disciplines

• Demonstration of critical thinking in the assessment of geochemical/hydrogeochemical data to support conceptual model development and client decision making

• Experience with data management and statistical assessment tools (e.g., Excel, EQuIS, Python, R)

• Experience with industry-standard modeling software such as PHREEQC, Geochemist s Workbench, GoldSim, MIN3P, or similar software

• Demonstrated experience in working with teams to deliver work products in a timely fashion, ideally within a consulting environment

• Excellent communication skills and an ability to execute written reports and presentations to convey technical results to a range of audiences

• Capable self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, effective time management and prioritization of responsibilities in a collaborative work environment

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as part of a team, in our hybrid work environment

• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies

• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek

• Occasional travel, including international, may be required depending on project-specific requirements

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in Geology, Geochemistry, Hydrogeology, Environmental Science or related field, with a strong quantitative background and focus on aqueous geochemistry

• Previous experience working as a consulting geochemist/hydrogeochemist or scientist

• Experience working with government regulators

• Experience with hydrogeological modeling and hydrogeological model review

• Experience in design and implementation of field and laboratory programs

• Experience as a project manager for multi-disciplinary projects

• Knowledge of coal combustion residue (CCR) chemistry and regulatory context

• Experience with the application of isotopes to support conceptual model development

• Understanding of laboratory analytical methods (experience working in a laboratory beneficial)

• Experience with data validation techniques for environmental data

• Experience with field data collection and oversight of data collection programs

• MSHA 24-hr level qualified or recertification eligible

WSP Benefits:

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation:

Expected Salary (all locations): $74,200 - $118,000

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

Expected Salary (Colorado only): $74,200 - $110,700

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and/or offer for this position within the state of Colorado, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

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About WSP

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

www.wsp.com

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.