Assistant Scientist

Terracon Consultants, Inc.; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Terracon in Des Moines, IA is seeking an entry-level Environmental Scientist to conduct site investigations, sample and analyze air, water, soil and building materials, and assist in assessing risk and remediation strategies to ensure regulatory compliance.

The role supports data tabulation and report preparation, fieldwork with monitoring equipment, and may assist with Phase I/II assessments and remediation system operation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science or related field, or in lieu of degree, 4 years of related experience.
• A valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history may be required.
• Certification in field of expertise preferred.

Responsibilities

• Follow safety rules, guidelines and standards for all projects and participate in pre-task planning.
• Identify, evaluate and recommend risk and remediation strategies to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Prepare permit applications, risk assessments and technical documents including proposals and reports.
• Design environmental protection plans and perform Phase I/II site assessments, surveys, and related work.
• Operate field monitoring equipment and assist with remediation system operation and maintenance.
• Transport samples to the lab and assist with data tabulation for reports.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science or related field

Valid driver's license

Job description

General Responsibilities:

Conduct environmental site investigations, assessments and surveys to sample, measure and analyze air, water, material, and soil. Identify, evaluate and recommend risk and remediation strategies/designs to ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations. Prepare applicable permit applications, risk assessments and technical documents including proposals, reports and regulatory agency correspondence. Design systems and environmental protection plans. Projects may include Phase I/II environmental site assessments, ecological and natural resource field surveys, tank closure assessments, asbestos abatement, storm water management, and site planning and permitting.

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.
• Support consistent quality standards on proposal and project delivery.
• Entry level scientific professional responsible for gathering data and information to be evaluated by other team members.
• Performs testing and sampling of environmental materials including soil, air, groundwater, building materials, and noise.
• Tabulate and prepare data for written reports.
• May assist with report preparation by summarizing data and information within reports.
• Operates field monitoring equipment.
• Assists with operation and maintenance of remediation systems.
• May assist with asbestos surveys, abatement projects and Phase I site assessments.
• 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 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:

• Certification in field of expertise preferred.