Geologist 1/ Environmental Scientist 1

HDR; Woodcliff Lake (NJ); On-site; USD 56,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Employee assistance program

Paid time off

Parental leave

Paid holidays

Retirement plan with employer match

Employee referral bonus

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

HDR is hiring a Geologist I / Environmental Scientist I in Woodcliff Lake, NJ. You will plan field sampling, develop SOPs, and support remedial investigations with soil, water, and sediment analyses.

You’ll supervise subcontractors, document findings, and contribute to client deliverables. The role requires a geology or earth science background, strong writing, and the ability to work independently or in teams, with physical field tasks and potential travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Geology, Earth Science, Hydrogeology or closely related field.
• Ability to assess and classify soil and rock samples to determine geologic type.
• Experience with Microsoft Office programs.
• Self-starter with excellent writing and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability and willingness to perform physically demanding tasks in adverse environmental conditions (rugged terrain, remote locations, hot and cold temperatures).
• May require ability to travel.
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must.

Responsibilities

• Plan and develop SOPs and field sampling plans for remedial investigations and site characterizations.
• Sample soil, surface water, groundwater, sediment to support RI, site characterizations, and risk assessments.
• Sample stormwater during rain events, often outside regular hours.
• Oversee groundwater monitoring well installations.
• Operate monitoring equipment in the field.
• Evaluate data and tabulate results to support site interpretations and reports.
• Coordinate with and oversee subcontractors.
• Complete daily reports, boring logs, and sample documentation forms.
• Work independently on small projects and with teams on larger ones; assist senior staff on client deliverables.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Skills

Soil & rock sample assessment

Data evaluation

Microsoft Office

Writing & communication

Independent & team work

Travel willingness

Physical labor tolerance

Employee-owned culture

Education

Bachelor's degree in Geology, Earth Science, Hydrogeology or closely related field

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

Geologist I / Environmental Scientist I

• Planning and developing SOPs, field sampling plans, and other baseline documents required to support remedial investigations, site characterizations, pre-design investigations, etc.
• Sampling of soil, surface water, groundwater, sediment, and other environmental media to support Remedial Investigations, site characterizations, risk assessments, Phase I/II assessments, and other studies
• Sampling of stormwater during rain events, often completed outside of normal business hours
• Groundwater monitoring well installation oversight
• Operation of various types of monitoring equipment in the field
• Data evaluation and tabulation to support site interpretations and reports
• Coordination with and oversight of subcontractors
• Completion of daily reports, boring logs, various sample documentation forms.
• Work independently on small projects, work in teams on larger projects, and assist more-senior scientists and engineers on client deliverables.
• Perform other duties as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with field work a plus but not required
• Experience preparing technical reports, well diagrams, and boring logs a plus but not required
• Local candidates preferred

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Geology, Earth Science, Hydrogeology or closely related field
• Ability to assess and classify soil and rock samples to determine geologic type
• Experience with Microsoft Office programs
• Self-starter with excellent writing and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability and willingness to perform physically demanding tasks in adverse environmental conditions (rugged terrain, remote locations, hot and cold temperatures)
• May require ability to travel
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) Woodcliff Lake: $56,325 - $84,750

Primary Location: United States-New Jersey-Woodcliff Lake Industry: Waste Schedule: Full-time Employee Status: Regular BusinessClass: Environmental Planning Job Posting: Aug 26, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affiliated Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.