Senior Environmental Scientist at AECOM

AECOM; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM is seeking an experienced environmental scientist to plan and deliver contaminated land investigations across New Zealand, including PSI/DSI activities and fieldwork. You will oversee sampling programs, interpret data, and produce technical assessments and reports, working with field teams and laboratories to meet project timelines.

The role requires strong field skills in soil, groundwater, surface water and vapour/gas, plus ability to coordinate projects and communicate with clients at

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or postgraduate degree in Environmental Science, Geology or related Earth/Science discipline.
• Ideally 5+ years’ experience in contaminated land, environmental site assessment (PSI/DSI) and/or remediation.
• Strong field skills: soil, groundwater, surface water, vapour/gas sampling/monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver contaminated land investigations, including PSI/DSI, sampling programmes and fieldwork.
• Oversee soil, groundwater, surface water and vapour/gas sampling and monitoring.
• Interpret field and laboratory data and prepare technical assessments, risk assessments and reports.
• Manage field teams, subcontractors and laboratories to deliver investigations safely and on programme.
• Contribute to project scopes, methodologies, fee estimates, proposals and tenders.
• Guide graduates and early-career environmental scientists and interact directly with clients.

Skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Field sampling

Project coordination

Learning mindset

Education

Bachelor’s or postgraduate degree in Environmental Science or Geology

Tools

ArcGIS

Excel

ProUCL

Job description

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What you’ll be doing

• Plan and deliver contaminated land investigations, including PSI/DSI, sampling programmes and fieldwork.
• Undertake and oversee soil, groundwater, surface water and vapour/gas sampling and monitoring.
• Interpret field and laboratory data and prepare technical assessments, risk assessments and reports.
• Manage field teams, subcontractors and laboratories to deliver investigations safely, efficiently and to programme.
• Contribute to project scopes, methodologies, fee estimates, proposals and tenders.
• Take responsibility for technical delivery, work directly with clients and provide guidance to graduates and early-career environmental scientists.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s or postgraduate degree in Environmental Science, Geology or a related Earth Science or Science discipline.
• Ideally 5+ years’ experience in contaminated land, environmental site assessment (PSI/DSI) and/or remediation.
• Strong practical field skills, including sampling and monitoring of soil, groundwater, surface water and vapour/gas.
• The ability to plan, coordinate and deliver high-quality technical work with minimal supervision.
• Experience moving comfortably between large multidisciplinary projects and smaller, focused commissions.
• A proactive, solutions-focused “can-do” attitude and the curiosity to keep learning.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the confidence to work with clients and colleagues at all levels.
• A willingness to travel across New Zealand — a full NZ driver licence is essential.
• Experience with Excel is expected; familiarity with ArcGIS and ProUCL would be advantageous

Why AECOM? This is an opportunity to join a team where you can build on your technical expertise, broaden your project experience and shape the next stage of your career. You’ll work on interesting projects, learn from experienced environmental specialists and have the backing of a global organisation with opportunities to develop your career both in New Zealand and internationally. Ready to push the limits of what’s possible? We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. If you require any adjustments during the hiring process, please let us know.

Applications are reviewed as they come in, and the role may close earlier than expected, so if this opportunity sounds like you, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

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At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025.