Early Career Geologist

WSP in the U.S.; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP USA is seeking an entry-level Geologist to join our San Francisco, San Jose, or Oakland offices. You will support site characterization, groundwater monitoring, soil and groundwater sampling, and remedial investigations, working 25–50% travel with supervision from senior staff.

You will contribute to technical reporting, data management, and project documentation while applying best practices and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Geology, Hydrogeology, Environmental Science or a closely related discipline.
• 0 to 1 years of related work experience.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and research skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain technical information clearly.
• Attention to detail, organization, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency with technical writing, Microsoft Office, and environmental data management tools.
• OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER certification or ability to obtain.
• Ability to pursue Professional Geologist registration in California.

Responsibilities

• Under general supervision, perform routine field activities for environmental site investigations and remediation.
• Maintain QA/QC procedures to ensure accurate sampling and data integrity.
• Generate field documentation using electronic data collection systems and logs.
• Comply with health, safety, and site-specific requirements.
• Support preparation of technical memoranda and field reports.
• Utilize current technologies and industry best practices for investigations and remediation.
• Complete required training and certifications for field and project work.
• Adhere to WSP's Code of Conduct and policies.
• Perform additional duties as needed by business needs.

Skills

Field sampling

Data management

Technical writing

QA/QC procedures

Health and safety compliance

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's in Geology / Hydrogeology / Environmental Science

Tools

Microsoft Office

Environmental data management tools

Job description

Job Description

This Opportunity

WSP is searching for an Early Career Geologist to support our San Francisco, CA, San Jose, CA or Oakland, CA office.

As an Entry Level Geologist, you will work with multi-disciplinary teams on site characterization and remediation projects including hydrogeologic and environmental data collection; routine groundwater monitoring programs; remedial investigations and feasibility study analyses (e.g. soil characterization to delineate environmental excavations or pilot testing to inform in-situ remediation design); and data evaluation and management. These tasks include both technical writing and analysis. This position requires travel to field assignments about 25-50% of the time. All work performed within this position will be under the close supervision of the project manager or more senior personnel.

Your Impact

• Under general supervision, perform routine field activities associated with environmental site investigations and remediation projects, including soil, groundwater, soil vapor, sediment, and surface water sampling, drilling oversight, monitoring well installation, and remediation system support.
• Maintain quality assurance and quality control procedures to ensure accurate sample collection, documentation, and data integrity.
• Generate complete, accurate, and concise field documentation using electronic data collection systems, field logs, and project records.
• Comply with all health, safety, and site-specific requirements, including sample handling protocols, chain-of-custody procedures, equipment decontamination, and environmental regulations.
• Support the preparation of technical memoranda, field reports, and environmental data summaries.
• Utilize current technologies and industry best practices to support environmental investigations, contaminant characterization, and remediation efforts.
• Complete required training and certifications necessary to support field and project assignments.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company resources and conduct while adhering to WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Geology, Hydrogeology, Environmental Science or a closely related discipline.
• 0 to 1 years of related work experience.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and research skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, organization, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic project environment.
• Ability to work independently under general supervision and collaboratively within multidisciplinary project teams.
• Proficiency with technical writing, Microsoft Office applications, and environmental data management tools.
• Proven commitment to workplace safety and ability to comply with WSP's health, safety, drug/alcohol, and harassment policies.
• Ability to perform fieldwork in varying weather and site conditions and work schedules conducive to project requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel as required to support project needs.
• OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER certification or ability to obtain certification.
• Ability to pursue Professional Geologist registration in California.

Preferred Qualifications

• Mater's Degree in Geology, Hydrogeology, Environmental Science or a closely related discipline.
• Previous internship, coursework, or experience related to environmental site investigations, remediation, due diligence, or contaminated site management.
• Experience with groundwater monitoring, drilling oversight, remediation system operations, or environmental data evaluation.
• Active participation in professional organizations related to geology, hydrogeology, environmental science, or remediation.

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: $63,000 - $78,700

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.

About WSP

ABOUT US

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.