Experienced Water Resources Scientist

Geosyntec Consultants; Farmington (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. is seeking an Experienced Water Resources Scientist to join our Water and Natural Resources practice in St. Louis, Farmington, Jefferson City, or Overland Park offices.

You will support Clean Water Act/NPDES compliance, water quality monitoring, and aquatic resource assessments for municipal and industrial clients. You will lead field programs, interpret environmental data, and prepare technical reports while coordinating with engineering teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in ecology, environmental sciences, water resources, biology, limnology, or related field.
• Master's degree in environmental sciences, aquatic ecology, water resources, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years (7+ preferred) in water resources, environmental science, water quality monitoring, or regulatory compliance.
• Experience with Clean Water Act and NPDES compliance, including permit apps or renewals and regulatory reporting.
• Hands-on surface water sampling and water quality monitoring instrumentation experience.
• Familiarity with Missouri/ Midwest water quality regulations and wastewater permitting is a plus.
• Strong data management, writing, coordination, and communication skills; ability to explain findings to clients.
• Travel up to 50% and willingness to work outdoors near waterways.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review NPDES permit applications, renewals, and modifications; evaluate permit conditions and data; develop reports and evaluations.
• Coordinate surface water, wastewater, sediment, and biological sampling; document field conditions and maintain records.
• Install and maintain continuous water quality monitoring equipment; review data for nutrients, turbidity, and conductivity.
• Support biological assessments through macroinvertebrate sampling, habitat assessments, fish surveys, and cyanobacteria investigations.
• Conduct bathymetric surveys and streamflow measurements using acoustic Doppler instruments; characterize lake and river conditions.
• Analyze data and prepare monitoring plans, reports, and compliance deliverables; coordinate with labs, agencies, and teams.
• Serve as task lead on assignments, manage scopes/schedules/budgets, and ensure safety requirements.
• Drive to client sites; operate company vessels if needed; comply with safety and training requirements.
• Obtain Missouri Boater's license or equivalent to operate vessels.

Skills

NPDES compliance

Water quality monitoring

Ecology

Field sampling

Data analysis

Technical reporting

Project coordination

Travel 50%

Bathymetric surveying

Education

Bachelor's degree in ecology/environmental sciences

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Acoustic Doppler

Water quality instruments

Laboratory coordination

Job description

Experienced Water Resources Scientist

Primary Location: US-MO-Chesterfield

ID: 2026-5023

Category: Water Resources

Position Type: Regular Full-Time

Remote: No

Additional Locations: US-MO-Farmington; US-MO-Jefferson City; US-KS-Overland Park

Overview

Do you want to build an impactful career to change the world for the better?

Geosyntec has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Water Resources Scientist to join our Water and Natural Resources practice in our St. Louis, Farmington, or Jefferson City, Missouri, or Overland Park, Kansas, offices. This position is ideal for a scientist with experience supporting Clean Water Act and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) compliance, water quality monitoring, and aquatic resource assessments. In this role, you will contribute to municipal and industrial wastewater permitting, surface water sampling, continuous and long-term water quality monitoring programs, aquatic biological assessments, and hydrologic surveys for public- and private-sector clients. You will work with experienced engineers and scientists to interpret environmental data, prepare technical reports, and develop practical water resources solutions, with opportunities to coordinate field programs and lead project tasks.

Geosyntec is an innovative, international engineering and consulting firm serving private and public-sector clients to address new ventures and complex problems involving our environment, natural resources, and civil infrastructure. Our engineers and scientists serve our clients from offices across the world. Ranked by ENR as one of the top environmental engineering design firms, Geosyntec is internationally known for its technical leadership, broad experience, and exceptional client service.

We invest in our people. Each employee is unique, and your career at Geosyntec will be too. We offer competitive pay and benefits, and well-being programs to support you and your family.

To Learn More Visit: http://www.geosyntec.com/careers/.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare and review municipal and industrial NPDES permit applications, renewals, and modifications; evaluate permit conditions, regulatory changes, effluent limits, and discharge data; and develop discharge monitoring reports and supporting technical evaluations.
• Conduct and coordinate surface water, wastewater, sediment, and biological sampling; document field conditions and maintain complete sampling records.
• Install, operate, and maintain continuous water quality monitoring instrumentation; review and validate continuous and discrete datasets to evaluate nutrients, turbidity, conductivity, and other water quality indicators.
• Support aquatic biological assessments through macroinvertebrate sampling, stream habitat assessments, fish collection, and analysis of biological community metrics; contribute to nutrient and cyanobacteria investigations as applicable.
• Conduct bathymetric surveys and streamflow measurements using acoustic Doppler and related surveying instruments to characterize lake and river conditions and support infrastructure, outfall, and water resources evaluations.
• Analyze environmental data and prepare monitoring plans, technical memoranda, regulatory compliance reports, and wastewater management alternatives evaluations; coordinate with laboratories, clients, regulatory agencies, and interdisciplinary project teams.
• Serve as a task lead on selected assignments, supporting scopes, schedules, budgets, field logistics, data quality reviews, junior staff guidance, and proposal preparation under the direction of project managers; follow project health and safety requirements.
• Drive personal, company, and rental vehicles to client or company project or office sites, and other business locations, as needed.
• Ability to obtain a Missouri State Highway Patrol Boater's License or equivalent to operate company vessels.

Education and Licensure

• Bachelor's degree in ecology, environmental sciences, water resources, biology, limnology, or a closely related discipline. (required)
• Master's degree in environmental sciences, aquatic ecology, water resources, or a closely related discipline. (preferred)

Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• At least 5 years (7+ years preferred) of related water resources, environmental science, water quality monitoring, or regulatory compliance experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. (required)
• Experience supporting Clean Water Act and NPDES compliance, including permit applications or renewals, permit reviews, discharge data evaluation, and regulatory reporting for municipal or industrial facilities. (required)
• Hands-on experience with surface water sampling and water quality monitoring instrumentation, including equipment installation or maintenance and review of continuous and discrete monitoring data. (required)
• Familiarity with Missouri or other Midwest state water quality regulations, wastewater permitting, nutrient assessment programs, effluent limits, and discharge monitoring requirements. (preferred)
• Strong environmental data management, data validation, technical writing, task coordination, and communication skills, including the ability to explain technical findings clearly to clients and project teams. (required)
• Experience preparing technical reports, permit-support documents, monitoring summaries, and regulatory compliance deliverables. (required)
• Experience with macroinvertebrate sampling, stream habitat assessments, fish surveys, biological community metrics, or cyanobacteria and cyanotoxin investigations. (preferred)
• Experience coordinating field activities or project tasks, including sampling logistics, schedules, data quality reviews, deliverables, and junior staff support. (preferred)
• Experience with bathymetric surveying, acoustic Doppler instruments, streamflow measurements, boat-based sampling, and sediment sampling, (preferred)
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet consulting project deadlines, and travel to project sites; willingness to support year-round outdoor fieldwork and work on or near waterways in accordance with project safety requirements. (required)
• Health & Safety training, medical monitoring, and client-driven drug and background testing may be required.
• Regular fieldwork and overnight travel. Up to 50% travel seasonally. (required)
• Valid U.S. driver's license and a satisfactory driving record for business travel. (required)