Senior Scientist - Contaminated Land

RPS Group Limited; Belfast; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental consulting firm is seeking a Senior Scientist/Engineer in Belfast to manage contaminated land projects. The role requires excellent project management, technical reporting, and communication skills. Candidates should possess a relevant degree and substantial experience in the contaminated land sector. The company offers a supportive environment for professional development and a transparent career pathway.

Benefits

Personal development plan

Accredited training provider

Qualifications

• Sound technical knowledge and enthusiasm.
• Substantial post-graduate experience in contaminated land.
• In-depth understanding of UK contaminated land technical guidance.

Responsibilities

• Manage and deliver contaminated land investigations and remediation projects.
• Prepare technical reports including risk assessments.
• Manage financial budgets and advise junior staff.

Skills

Project Management

Technical Report Writing

Site Supervision

Verbal and Written Communication

Health and Safety Management

Education

Degree in Geology or Relevant Environmental Science

Post-Graduate Qualification (Master’s Degree)

Tools

GIS Software

Job description

The Contaminated Land team within RPS are currently involved with projects across a range of disciplines both in Northern Ireland, GB and the Republic of Ireland. Working for both Public and Private Clients, we have highly motivated and experienced teams providing innovative solutions for the Built Environment. Due to an expanding workload, we are looking to recruit a new Senior Scientist/Engineer to supplement our existing team and help us to enhance our already excellent reputation.

What you’ll be doing

• Project Management and delivery of contaminated land investigations and remediation projects on time, within budget and in line with appropriate quality standards.
• Site supervision of works throughout Northern Ireland including procuring and managing ground investigations.
• Preparing technical reports including Preliminary Risk Assessments (Desk Study) and Quantitative Risk Assessments (GQRA/DQRA).
• Attending client and design team meetings.
• Preparing presentations.
• Managing financial budgets of job tasks.
• Preparing bids and fee quotations for new work.
• Supervision and mentoring of junior staff including undertaking review of technical reports and providing constructive feedback.

Who we’re looking for

Key attributes required for the position are sound technical knowledge, enthusiasm, self‑motivation and excellent verbal and written communication skills. We anticipate the role will require a mixture of site and office based work, but this may vary as workload dictates.

• Hold a degree in geology, engineering geology, hydrogeology or relevant environmental science discipline.
• Whilst not essential, it would be beneficial to have a post‑graduate qualification such as a Master’s degree.
• Should also be working towards Chartership with a relevant body, such as CIWEM, IEMA or Geo Soc.
• Have substantial post‑graduate experience in contaminated land or geo‑environmental engineering including managing projects throughout the whole project lifecycle.
• Have an in depth understanding of current UK contaminated land technical guidance, relevant legislation and the development planning regime.
• Be able to undertake self‑directed research to keep abreast of new and emerging trends within the contaminated land industry.
• Experienced with designing, procuring, managing and supervising ground investigation on site, including soil logging and sampling, groundwater and ground gas monitoring.
• Must be able to make informed and experienced decisions on site with minimal input from line managers and be able to manage and direct sub‑contractors.
• Knowledgeable in current practice and governing standards/guidance for the investigation and remediation of contaminated land and must be able to produce detailed technical reports such as Phase 1 geo‑environmental desk top study reports (PRA) incorporating preliminary risk assessment and Phase 2 interpretative reports including qualitative and quantitative risk assessments (GQRA/DQRA).
• Excellent written and Verbal communication skills and able to write clear, concise and technically robust reports.
• Confident in managing projects as they grow and evolve.
• Good understanding of health, safety and environmental management and be proactive in encouraging good health and safety practices.
• Team player with strong social, interpersonal and communication skills.
• A full clean driving license.

Desirable

• Experienced in undertaking WM3 compliant waste classifications using HazWasteOnline.
• Undertaking environmental due diligence assessments.
• Confident in using GIS software.

What’s in it for you?

We’re an accredited training provider – from entry level to master’s degree level professional qualifications in leadership & management and executive coaching & mentoring, we support learning and development for everyone.

A personal development plan and a transparent career pathway puts you in the driving seat of your career and you’ll be supported as far as you want to go.

We’re RPS, A Tetra Tech company

Representing an exciting new chapter in our business, on 24 January 2023 RPS became a Tetra Tech company. With 28,000 employees in more than 550 offices in more than 120 countries on seven continents, Tetra Tech is a leading, global provider of consulting and engineering services. As a Tetra Tech company, RPS is proud to offer our people market‑leading development and project opportunities, helping to solve some of the world’s most complex problems.