Environmental Scientist

GFT; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Wellness program

Parental leave

Pet insurance

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development incentives

Job summary

GFT is seeking a Project Environmental Scientist to join our Environmental Practice in Audubon, PA, operating in a hybrid model with regular office presence. You will support NEPA, permitting, and regulatory compliance for large-scale infrastructure projects across North America.

You will apply environmental skills to field studies, data analysis, reporting, and coordination with engineering and environmental disciplines, contributing to successful project outcomes and on-time deliverables.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, ecology, physical sciences, or related field.
• 6-10 years of experience delivering natural resources compliance services for infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of applicable federal and state environmental regulations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel and work in varied settings.
• Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills for team collaboration.
• Agility with multi-disciplinary infrastructure projects.
• Strong professional judgment and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Provide onsite oversight of stream restoration construction several days a week.
• Provide environmental technical support for wetlands, streams, and habitats to support permits.
• Conduct wetland delineation and other natural resource surveys.
• Deliver professional services on time per regulations and budget.
• Make independent technical decisions and collaborate with team.
• Author technical reports and NEPA documents.
• Prepare NEPA documents and/or permits for transportation projects.
• Operate GPS, field meters, and other monitoring equipment.
• Communicate with clients, third parties, and regulatory agents.
• Adhere to contract specifications including health, safety, and environment.

Skills

Environmental knowledge

Written & verbal communication

Regulatory knowledge

Leadership & interpersonal skills

Travel willingness

Presentation skills

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Independent decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

GIS

CADD

Job description

What You Will Do:

GFT is seeking a Project Environmental Scientist to join our growing Environmental Practice! This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at our Audubon , PA office.

GFTs Environmental team delivers integrated planning, permitting, and compliance solutions that support infrastructure development across North America. With more than 140 professionals in 22 offices, the team guides clients through NEPA andpermittingprocesses, ecological and regulatory assessments, and environmental remediation efforts. Theirexpertisespans transportation, power, water, and facilities markets — working alongside agencies at federal, state, and local levels. From stream restoration to complex environmental impact statements, GFT helps clients protect resources, manage risk, and meet regulatory requirements with confidence.

What youll be challenged to do:

This is an excellent career opportunity for an experienced, motivated Project Environmental Scientist who thrives in a collaborative team environment. You will be applying your environmental skills, and contribute to federal, state and local infrastructure projects that have significant public benefits. Our work includes research, field studies, reporting, presentations, mapping, permit applications, data analysis, regulatory reviews, and interactions with many engineering and environmental disciplines.

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Provide onsite oversight of stream restoration construction several days a week to ensure design plans are properly implemented.
• Provide environmental technical support for projects requiring disturbances in wetlands, streams, and protected habitats to support project planning and environmental permits, providing technical and operational direction with responsibility for delivering successful outcomes.
• Conduct wetland delineation fieldwork and other natural resource surveys to gather data for baseline knowledge and impact
• Deliver professional services on time in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations and within budget.
• Make decisions independently on scientific problems and methods; collaborate with team members to reach sound conclusions.
• Author technical reports, environmental deliverables and related work products.
• Preparation of NEPA documents and/or permits for transportation and other infrastructure projects.
• Have the ability to traverse difficult terrain and operate technical equipment including GPS units, field meters, and other monitoring equipment.
• Communicate with clients, third party , and regulatory agents regarding project status, schedules, and compliance issues.
• Adhering to client and corporate contract specifications in all activities including health, safety, security, and the environment.

Education | Experience:

What you will bring to our firm:

• Bachelors degree in environmental science, ecology, the physical sciences, or closely related field .
• Minimum 6-10 years of experience and increasing responsibility delivering natural resources compliance services for infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of applicable federal and state environmental regulations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-starter, able to complete tasks with minimal supervision and direction.
• Willingness to travel and execute work in a variety of settings and environmental conditions (heat, cold, rain, etc.).
• Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills to work effectively with others and achieve results.
• Demonstrated agility working with multi-disciplined infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated professional judgment, consistency, strong attention to detail, and background of high-quality work products.
• Ability to prepare and deliver presentations and lead meetings.

What we prefer you bring:

• A Masters degree in a closely related field.
• Understanding of stream restoration design and construction practices.
• Permit experience in Pennsylvania.
• Experience with CADD and/or GIS.

Compensation:

The salary range for this role is $75,000 - $112,500 ; Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

Featured Benefits: Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment. Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance. Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan. Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual. Tuition reimbursement for continued education. Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

Company Overview:

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – thats why were the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industrys brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a centurys experience, together were building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.

GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans status or other characteristics protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.

GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.

Location: Audubon, PA
Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Employment Status: Full-Time