Environmental Scientist I

Pacific Commercial Services; Kapolei (HI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Pacific Commercial Services in Hawaii is seeking an Environmental Scientist I to support remediation, waste management, and industrial cleaning under the guidance of senior staff. You will gain hands-on experience in monitoring, sampling, and regulatory compliance across multiple projects. The role emphasizes teamwork and learning opportunities in environmental science and engineering principles, with exposure to EPA and HDOH regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science or related field required.
• 2+ years of work experience in environmental projects preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work under supervision and learn from senior staff.
• Familiarity with EPA/HDOH regulations is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support task-level execution across remediation, waste management, and industrial cleaning.
• Assist with site monitoring, sampling, and data collection under supervision.
• Prepare reports and project summaries with guidance from senior staff.
• Collaborate with team on regulatory compliance and documentation.

Skills

Environmental science fundamentals

Analytical skills

Excellent communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science

Tools

Regulatory knowledge tools

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Environmental Scientist I is focused on building the technical foundation necessary to contribute independently to environmental projects. Working under the guidance of senior staff, they support task‑level execution across remediation, waste management, and industrial cleaning initiatives. With a growing proficiency in environmental science and engineering principles, the Environmental Scientist I plays a key role in monitoring, assessing, and mitigating environmental hazards—particularly in site remediation, waste treatment, and industrial cleaning operations. This role offers hands‑on learning and development within a collaborative team environment, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and contributing to impactful environmental outcomes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Regulation & Compliance

• Learns and gets familiar with EPA 40 CFR 260-279, 302‑370, and 761, 49 CFR 105‑180, and 29 CFR 1910, HDOH HAR Title 11 Chapter 260 to 279, 302‑370, and 761
• Learns the compliance requirements of the PCS used oil processing permit and SPCC and the Kapolei Dewatering Plant
• Documents and conducts audit and inspection required by the permits.
• Applies the knowledge by assisting senior environmental scientists in hazardous and non‑hazardous waste management, and drafting reports, such as project summaries, daily production report, analytical reports, etc.

Waste Inventory & Sampling

• Takes waste inventory
• Collects waste samples to send to labs for analysis for disposal purposes following EPA and HDOH sampling protocol and methods
• Conducts field screen testing such as pH, total halogen, water quality, etc. with guidance from a more senior ES.

Waste Characterization, Manifest and Profile Preparation

• Based on information provided by customers or collected inventory, and sampling results, identifies and characterizes each waste material by applying EPA or HDOH regulations and guidelines and selects proper disposal method and disposal facility
• Prepares waste profiles (or lab pack sheets) and submit to disposal facilities for approval
• Prepares waste manifests, and or LDR, labels and waste marking per the waste characterization results with guidance and supervision from a more senior ES

Waste Pickups, Transportation, Disposals

• Prepares instructions for waste pickups, transportation and disposal
• Goes out with drivers and or technicians for waste pickups.

Waste Operations

• Learns and assists waste receiving, storage, processing, organizing container shipment, shipping booking, bill of landing preparation, shipment notification, shipment tracking, obtaining signed off manifests.

Environmental Monitoring & Assessment

• Focused on learning the following environmental monitoring & assessment aspects with supervision from a more senior ES.
• Conducts site hazard survey including sampling and testing on a contaminated site or hazard‑suspected site to detect the presence of the hazardous substances
• Conducts environmental site assessments to evaluate the extent of contamination
• Interprets and reports environmental data to identify potential risks and remediation needs
• Conducts air monitoring using a PID and 4‑Gas meter during UST removal, or contaminated soil remediation
• Documents field activities of environmental remediation projects
• water quality measurements of dewatering influent and effluent using Water Quality Instruments
• Performs elementary neutralization of corrosive water
• Conducts Hazcating if necessary

Project Management

• Learns quote/proposal preparation, project scope, resource requirements, scheduling, documentation, and project closure report preparation through a project supervised and run by a more senior ES.

Customer Relations

• Associate ES are exposed to customers through task‑based communication on projects/accounts led by senior ES/PMs.
• Able to correspond with customers in a professional and timely manner
• Puts the customer’s needs first while understanding that the customer could be wrong.
• Communicates with the understanding that the relationship is more important than the project or task at hand

Problem Solving & Decision Making

• Learns how to engage with teammates and customers to navigate scope changes or logistical setbacks with professionalism under the guidance of a more senior ES

Leadership & Team Building

• Focuses on learning and developing within the role while taking ownership of tasks to build reliability and trust with teammates
• Identifies and shares opportunities for process improvement

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION

• Bachelor’s Degree in environmental science and other related field(s) (i.e. Chemistry, Biology, Engineering).
• 2+ years of work experience
• Demonstrated Change Management exposure
• Excellent communication, writing and analytical skills
• Team contributor and exposure to leadership skills including coaching, facilitation, presentation and team building

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION

• The addition of Civil or Environmental Engineering or two years of experience in environmental research or science work.
• Knowledge and experience with DOT guidelines

WHY JOIN US?

As an Environmental Scientist I, you will gain hands‑on experience in the field and at the project level, utilizing advanced environmental science techniques to mitigate environmental risks. You will work alongside experienced environmental engineers and scientists on diverse and complex projects that have a direct impact on public health and environmental quality. This role provides a gradual learning environment, with strong mentorship, providing significant exposure to industry‑leading practices and technologies in environmental protection. It's an ideal opportunity for early‑career professionals seeking to grow technical skills, expand their environmental knowledge and accelerate professional development.