Junior Environmental Scientist

LE002 Onterris Payroll, LLC; Kemah (TX); On-site; USD 39,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Onterris seeks a Junior Environmental Scientist to join our emergency response team for environmental sampling and data collection. You will identify and mitigate pollutant sources across air, water, soil, and food sources, applying risk assessments and industrial hygiene methods to meet client expectations.

The role requires a degree in a related science, or 1–3 years of experience with strong Windows skills, and willingness to travel extensively.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology or related science.
• 1–3 years experience may substitute for a degree.
• Advanced computer skills on Windows platforms are required.
• Ability to learn software and manage admin duties.

Responsibilities

• Travel for emergency response as requested by the client.
• Maintain and mobilize equipment for emergency response.
• Collect and analyze samples for contamination assessment.
• Perform monitoring and sampling per prescribed methods.
• Prepare and summarize scientific data and literature.
• Complete 40-hour HAZWOPER training within 3 weeks of hire.
• Obtain DISA and TWIC clearances within 3 months.

Skills

Independent work

Communication skills

HAZWOPER certification

Windows proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in related science

Tools

DISA clearance

TWIC clearance

HazWOPER training

Job description

About Us

At Onterris, we build careers grounded in purpose, responsibility and real-world impact. “For Planet and Progress” is our north star that guides everything we do. We believe environmental responsibility and human progress are interconnected, interwoven and international. Our scientists, engineers, field teams, consultants and professionals collaborate across disciplines and geographies, guiding industries and governments, ensuring that communities and environments thrive. When you join us, you’re not just forging a career, you’re joining a movement. A movement for better thinking, smarter solutions and lasting impact. Together, we will advance our way of life and protect the integrity of our environment every step of the way.

A Day in the Life

A Junior Environmental Scientist participates as a member of an emergency response team to conduct environmental sampling and data collection. In performing such duties, a Junior Environmental Scientist will conduct research or perform investigations for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or the health of the population. Utilizing their knowledge of various scientific disciplines, they may collect, synthesize, study, report, and act based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources. The successful candidate will apply scientific methodology for analysis of risk assessments and industrial hygiene applications to ensure the client’s expectations are met. All Junior Environmental Scientist’s shall maintain a response bag with company issued PPE and appropriate work clothing. This role is also subject to on-call rotation for emergency response and frequent, extended travel. The on-call rotation duties may extend to satellite offices as necessary. Travel on a moment’s notice may extend further than just the on-call rotation i.e. in the event a response requires more staffing support.

Compensation

The compensation range for this role is $38,500 to $44,600 commensurate with experience, skills, and geographic location.

Responsibilities

• Immediate availability for extended travel and emergency response at client’s request
• Maintain, calibrate and mobilize equipment appropriate for an emergency response
• Gather and analyze samples from various sources of potential contamination
• Perform monitoring and sampling activities according to the prescribed methods
• Compile, review and summarize scientific/technical data and literature
• Completion of 40-hour HAZWOPER training in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.120 within first three weeks of hire date
• Possession of DISA & TWIC clearances within 3 months of hire date
• Completion of all designated safety requirements within first month of hire date
• Perform other duties as assigned

Your Expertise and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Environmental Engineering, Environmental, Health and Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Toxicology or other related science
• 1 to 3 years of experience in a related field may be substituted in lieu of a degree
• Advanced computer skills in a Windows-based platform is a must
• The ability to learn various software and complying with administrative duties (time sheets/expense reports)
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision
• Ability to respond in a timely manner to all communications from his/her supervisor
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a matrix reporting structure
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal directions
• Possess strong verbal and written communication skills in the English language
• Ability to complete HAZWOPER certification
• Ability to obtain and maintain DISA clearance
• Ability to obtain TWIC clearance
• Current driver’s license
• Ability to obtain a passport
• Completion of all job specific OSHA training
• Ability to comply with all job specific OSHA requirements, including the wear of a respirator
• Possess excellent problem-solving and analytical skills with careful attention to detail being critical
• Possess a high degree of personal initiative and responsibility for work assigned
• Ability to work overtime and on weekends

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

The physical and environmental requirements below reflect what’s typically needed to perform the essential functions of this role safely and effectively. We may provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, consistent with applicable law, to support performance of the essential functions.

• Sitting, standing, and walking
• Lifting up to 50 pounds several times a day
• Overhead lifting of over 20 pounds
• Bending, stooping, climbing ladders and crawling
• Long hours involving overtime and weekends as necessary
• Keyboarding/typing
• Ability to read effectively from a computer screen, sampling device and/or a paper copy
• Ability to handle a large volume of work and perform multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Frequent, unscheduled travel for extended periods of time
• Ability to drive noncommercial vehicles
• Rarely may work shifts of up to 24 hours in duration
• Dress out in physically demanding personal protective equipment (PPE) for site Junior at HAZWOPER sites as required under 29CFR 1910.120
• Wear half-face and full-face air purifying respirator (APR) as well as supplied air respirators in the form of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and hose supplied respirator with medical clearance as required under 29CFR 1910.134
• Wear partially or totally encapsulating personal protective equipment
• Works in an office environment when not deployed on an emergency response
• Often works outdoors and may be exposed to hot and cold environments and extreme weather conditions, including sunlit, rainy and windy conditions
• May occasionally work shifts up to 24 hours in duration
• Encounter environments presenting physical hazards of uneven ground, standing water, ditches, dusty conditions, rapidly moving transportation and remediation equipment, and physical stress associated with the wear of personal protective equipment
• May work at altitudes greater than 5000 feet above sea level
• May work on land, sea or air
• May work in a setting with potential physical and chemical hazards; and Frequent, extended travel

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We acknowledge that these experiences and perspectives help to enrich our teams and contribute to our ongoing success. We are committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in our employment for all applicants.

Company Culture and Testimonials

At Onterris, we take on complex challenges with purpose and momentum, alongside teams that lead with integrity, deliver together, and invest in your growth.

For more information, visit www.onterris.com.

"Working with inspiring coworkers and clients across the globe over the past five years has been incredibly rewarding. Their passion motivates me to improve our client experience and work that I deliver." - Erin Peck, Emissions Services

"There are not many places where a toxicologist can be boots-on-the-ground at an environmental emergency one day and deep in a human health risk assessment or litigation the next, but this company is one of them, and honestly, that breadth is what makes me love the work. We are a team of scientists with a broad range of talents and experiences who genuinely take the mission to heart, because protecting people and communities from chemical hazards is not abstract here; it is exactly why we show up every day. The culture reflects that shared commitment in the best way: collaborative, rigorous, and truly motivated by the impact we make together." - Andre Richardson, Consulting

"I knew my position here would be more than just a job. Every day is a new, exciting challenge to solve, and I get to go home knowing that the work I am doing is having a positive impact on the world." - J Esteves, R&D