Project Geologist

Terracon; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Terracon's St. Louis Environmental team is seeking a Project Environmental Geologist who enjoys solving complex environmental problems, leading field investigations, and helping clients move projects from uncertainty to closure.

This role focuses on site investigation, remediation, Brownfields redevelopment, UST programs, and regulatory compliance in Missouri and Illinois, with opportunities to mentor staff and advance projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Hydrogeology or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years’ related experience.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• A valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history may be required.
• Certification in field of expertise required.
• Ability to obtain registration as a Professional Geologist (PG) required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support environmental investigation and remediation projects in MO/IL.
• Manage Phase II ESAs and LSIs.
• Oversee drilling, well installation, sampling, and waste characterization activities.
• Prepare technical reports, plans, and regulatory submittals.
• Coordinate with municipalities, developers and regulators.
• Mentor junior staff and collaborate with teams.

Skills

Field investigations

Phase II ESAs

Groundwater sampling

Soil sampling

Regulatory compliance

Brownfields redevelopment

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Hydrogeology or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

General Responsibilities:

Help Transform Contaminated Properties into Community Assets

From former gas stations and industrial facilities to large-scale redevelopment projects, every site has a story. At Terracon, we help clients uncover environmental risks, navigate complex regulations, and turn challenging properties into opportunities for growth.

Our St. Louis Environmental team is seeking a Project Environmental Geologist who enjoys solving complex environmental problems, leading field investigations, and helping clients move projects from uncertainty to closure. If you have experience with site investigation, remediation, Brownfields redevelopment, UST programs, and environmental regulations in Missouri and Illinois, this is an opportunity to join one of the Midwest's leading environmental consulting teams.

Evaluate and interpret subsurface field and sampling data including soil and groundwater to develop conclusions concerning the environmental and geologic site conditions. Generate subsurface maps and cross-sections and collaborate with engineering and environmental scientist staff on projects. Oversee field monitoring and testing of soils including boring investigations and soil type classification. Interpret soil, bedrock and groundwater elevation and quality data. Prepare written plans and reports related to site investigations, assessments and remediation activities. Projects may include construction projects focusing on earthwork and structural foundations; well design and sampling; environmental assessments including Phase I/II site assessments.

What You'll Do

As a Project Environmental Geologist, you will lead and support a variety of environmental investigation and remediation projects throughout Missouri and Illinois, including:

Site Investigation and Assessment

• Manage and perform Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) and Limited Site Investigations (LSIs)
• Develop investigation strategies and conceptual site models
• Oversee drilling, monitoring well installation, soil sampling, groundwater sampling, soil vapor investigations, and waste characterization activities
• Evaluate environmental data and develop defensible conclusions and recommendations
• Prepare technical reports, work plans, and regulatory submittals
• Support redevelopment projects through environmental assessment and remediation activities
• Work with municipalities, developers, utilities, industrial clients, and government agencies
• Participate in Brownfields assessment, cleanup, and grant-funded projects

Regulatory Programs

• Manage projects under:
  • Missouri Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Program (BVCP)
  • Missouri Risk-Based Corrective Action (MRBCA)
  • Missouri Petroleum Storage Tank and LUST programs
  • Illinois Site Remediation Program (SRP)
  • Illinois Tiered Approach to Corrective Action Objectives (TACO)
  • Illinois Leaking UST programs
  • State and Federal Brownfields programs

Brownfields and Redevelopment

• Support redevelopment projects through environmental assessment and remediation activities
• Work with municipalities, developers, utilities, industrial clients, and government agencies
• Participate in Brownfields assessment, cleanup, and grant-funded projects
• Assist clients in transforming underutilized and environmentally impacted properties into productive assets

Soil Management and Beneficial Reuse

• Evaluate soil management options during redevelopment and construction projects
• Interpret Illinois Clean Construction or Demolition Debris (CCDD) requirements and support Uncontaminated Soil Fill Operations (USFO) evaluations and characterization
• Apply Missouri beneficial reuse of soil regulations and guidance to support sustainable project outcomes
• Coordinate waste characterization, disposal, and reuse determinations

Project Management

• Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, and deliverables
• Coordinate subcontractors, drillers, laboratories, remediation contractors, and regulatory agencies
• Prepare proposals and cost estimates
• Build and maintain strong client relationships

Essential Roles and Responsibilities:

• Follow safety rules, guidelines and standards for all projects. Participate in pre-task planning. Report any safety issues or concerns to management.
• Be responsible for maintaining quality standards on all projects.
• Career level, fully competent Geologist/ Hydrogeologist responsible for planning, scheduling, conducting or coordinating detailed phases of work for part of a major project or total of a project of moderate scope and complexity.
• May devise new approaches to problems encountered.
• May serve as a team leader in medium projects and mentor junior level Geologists.
• Performs scientific analyses on projects of own discipline.
• May attend on and off-site client meetings.
• Implements technical requirements to complete client projects by directing and supervising field staff to sample, test and collect data and/or document site activities.
• Responsible for developing written proposals to clients for both small and large projects including quality control review of proposals written by others.
• Evaluates complex laboratory and field data and assembles in written reports.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Hydrogeology or related field and a minimum of 7 years’ related experience.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• A valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history may be required.

Required Qualifications:

• Certification in field of expertise required.
• Ability to obtain registration as a Professional Geologist (PG) required.