Assistant Scientist

Terracon Consultants, Inc.; Cedar Falls (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Terracon is seeking an entry-level environmental professional to support site investigations, sampling, and data analysis. Responsibilities include collecting soil, air, groundwater, and building material samples, preparing technical documents and reports, and ensuring safety and quality standards on field projects.

The role emphasizes data tabulation, report assistance, and operation of field monitoring equipment, with opportunities to grow toward regulated inspections and licensing efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Geology, or related field, or 4 years of related experience.
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history may be required.
• 40-hour HAZWOPER certification is preferred.
• Willingness to obtain asbestos/lead inspector licenses is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to safety rules and participate in pre-task planning.
• Practice quality acumen and maintain quality standards on proposals and projects.
• Demonstrate strong time management and communication skills.
• Gather data and test environmental materials including soil, air, groundwater, and building materials.
• Tabulate data and assist with written reports.
• Operate field monitoring equipment and transport samples to the lab.
• Maintain and calibrate field equipment.

Skills

Safety compliance

Time management

Communication skills

Quality standards

Data organization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science or Geology

Job description

General Responsibilities:

Conduct environmental site investigations, assessments and surveys to sample, measure and analyze air, water, material, and soil. Prepare technical documents including proposals, permit applications, reports and regulatory agency correspondence. Projects may include Phase I/II environmental site assessments, ecological and natural resource field surveys, tank closure assessments, asbestos/hazardous materials inspections, industrial hygiene and indoor air quality assessments, and storm water sampling/inspections.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities:

• Follow safety rules, guidelines and standards for all projects. Participate in pre-task planning. Report any safety issues or concerns to management.
• Understand and practice quality acumen.
• Demonstrate strong time management and communication skills.
• Support consistent quality standards on proposal and project delivery.
• Entry level scientific professional responsible for gathering data and information.
• Performs testing and sampling of environmental materials including soil, air, groundwater, and building materials.
• Tabulate and prepare data for written reports.
• Assist with report preparation by summarizing data and information within reports.
• Operates field monitoring equipment.
• Transport material samples or documents to the lab for further testing and analysis.
• Maintains and calibrates field monitoring equipment.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Geology, or related science field. Or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 4 years’ related experience.
• A valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history may be required.

Preferred Qualification:

• 40-hour HAZWOPER certification.
• Wiliness to obtain asbestos/lead inspector licenses.