Senior Environmental Scientist 2-NEPA

Socket.dev; Lancaster (Lancaster County); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Professional-development support

Job summary

RETTEW is seeking an Environmental Scientist III for its Natural Sciences team. You will manage NEPA clearance, coordinate environmental studies, and prepare assessments for transportation and infrastructure projects.

The role emphasizes independent work and collaboration with clients, agencies, and multidisciplinary teams to move projects through environmental-clearance processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental studies, biology, ecology, natural resources, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of environmental experience including internship experience.
• Experience supporting environmental review and clearance under NEPA.
• Experience preparing or contributing to NEPA documents and related studies.
• Strong written and verbal communication, organization, and computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and coordinate NEPA clearance documents, assessments, and agency correspondence.
• Evaluate project plans and environmental data to identify resources, impacts, and risks.
• Coordinate studies and documentation to support environmental decisions.
• Lead or coordinate field investigations, sampling, monitoring, and data collection.
• Collaborate with clients, agencies, engineers, planners, and scientists; manage scopes and schedules.

Skills

Bachelor's degree in environmental sc

10+ years of experience

NEPA knowledge

Technical writing

Cross-disciplinary coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science or related

Job description

The Opportunity

RETTEW is seeking an experienced Environmental Scientist III to join our Natural Sciences team.

In this role, you will support environmental review and clearance for transportation and infrastructure projects, with a primary focus on compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

You will prepare environmental documentation, coordinate technical studies, evaluate potential impacts, and work with clients, agencies, and multidisciplinary teams to move projects through the environmental-clearance process.

This opportunity is well suited for an environmental professional who can independently manage assignments while collaborating with others and asking questions when project conditions or requirements are unclear.

What You'll Do

• Prepare and coordinate NEPA clearance documents, environmental assessments, technical reports, agency correspondence, and other project deliverables.
• Evaluate project plans and environmental data to identify affected resources, potential impacts, permitting considerations, and project risks.
• Determine the technical studies, agency coordination, and documentation needed to support environmental decisions.
• Coordinate studies involving wetlands, waterways, threatened and endangered species, cultural resources, hazardous materials, noise, agricultural resources, and other applicable environmental considerations.
• Conduct or support field investigations, environmental assessments, sampling, monitoring, and data collection.
• Coordinate with clients, transportation agencies, regulatory agencies, engineers, planners, scientists, and other technical specialists.
• Support Section 4(f) evaluations, environmental commitments, mitigation tracking, public-involvement activities, and project meetings.
• Develop and manage scopes, budgets, schedules, and assigned tasks while meeting project deadlines and quality requirements.
• Direct or coordinate tasks completed by other technical and field staff.
• Support environmental work for transportation, energy, and other infrastructure clients based on project needs.

What We're Looking For

Required

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental studies, biology, ecology, natural resources, environmental planning, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of relevant environmental experience, including qualifying internship experience.
• Professional experience supporting environmental review and clearance under the National Environmental Policy Act.
• Experience preparing or contributing substantively to NEPA documents and supporting technical studies.
• Understanding of the environmental-clearance process for transportation or comparable infrastructure projects.
• Ability to independently manage defined assignments, identify environmental requirements, and coordinate work across multiple disciplines.
• Strong technical writing, research, organization, communication, and computer skills.
• Ability to perform office and field assignments and travel to project sites and meetings.
• Valid driver's license and ability to meet RETTEW's requirements for operating a company vehicle.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred

• Experience supporting NEPA clearance for transportation projects.
• Experience working with PennDOT, the Federal Highway Administration, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, or comparable transportation agencies.
• Experience preparing categorical exclusions, environmental assessments, environmental impact statements, reevaluations, or Section 4(f) documentation.
• Experience with wetland, waterway, ecological, cultural-resource, or related environmental studies.
• Experience submitting Chapter 105 permits in PA GreenPort and Keystone Environmental ePermitting System.
• Experience organizing and participating in public involvement activities.
• Professional Wetland Scientist certification or OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER training.
• Section 4(f) experience is helpful but is not required at the time of hire.[ES1.1]

Why RETTEW

• Help transportation and infrastructure projects move forward responsibly.
• Take meaningful ownership of environmental-clearance assignments.
• Work with clients, agencies, and multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Expand your experience across NEPA, Section 4(f), environmental studies, and regulatory coordination.
• Build ownership in the company through RETTEW's Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
• RETTEW also offers competitive compensation, comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits, disability and life insurance, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off and holidays, and professional-development and certification support.

Work Environment

Workplace Designation: Hybrid

Locations: Lancaster, Mechanicsburg, State College, or Williamsport, PA

This position follows RETTEW's standard hybrid schedule and combines office and remote work with field assignments, project meetings, and occasional travel.

Approximately 25% of the position may involve fieldwork. Driving is an essential function and is expected approximately once per week, depending on workload. A company vehicle will be provided in accordance with RETTEW policies.

Field assignments may involve outdoor work in varying weather and terrain, uneven surfaces, vegetation, waterways, traffic, construction activity, and other project-site conditions.

Safety and Compliance Requirements

This position is designated as safety-sensitive. The selected candidate must successfully complete all applicable pre-employment screenings, which may include a background check, drug and alcohol testing, and motor vehicle record review.

Ongoing compliance with RETTEW's safety policies, client requirements, project-site procedures, and applicable environmental regulations is required.

About RETTEW

RETTEW is a 100% employee-owned engineering consulting firm that has been helping clients solve complex challenges since 1969. Our multidisciplinary teams deliver practical solutions that strengthen infrastructure, protect natural resources, and support the communities we serve.

Our culture is grounded in our core values: Act Like an Owner, Value Relationships, and Exemplify Excellence. We empower our employee-owners to grow their careers while delivering meaningful results for our clients.

RETTEW is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, please contact us at [e-mail] to request assistance.

Requirements

Listed in job description.