Senior Geochemist/Hydrogeochemist

WSP; Lakewood (CO); On-site; USD 74,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Senior Geochemist/Hydrogeochemist to join the Mine Environment team in a full-time role. The position supports geochemistry projects, mentoring staff, and collaborating on proposals across the mining industry in US locations such as Lakewood, CO and Redmond, WA.

You will contribute to data analysis, modeling, and technical reporting, with emphasis on groundwater and surface water interactions, closure, and remediation in a multidisciplinary setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Geochemistry, Hydrogeology, Environmental Science or related field with strong quantitative background.
• Minimum of 5 years’ professional geochemistry experience in consulting or related field.
• Understanding of hydrology and groundwater interactions; mining-related environmental practices.
• Experience developing conceptual models and interpreting geochemical data.
• Proficiency with data tools (Excel, Python, R) and geochemical modeling software.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for geochemical projects including permitting, baseline studies and remediation.
• Lead development of proposals, budgets, and schedules for geochemical investigations.
• Develop conceptual models for fate and transport in groundwater and surface water.
• Design and oversee lab and field programs supporting project execution.
• Mentor and supervise junior staff and maintain client relationships.
• Ensure safety and quality in line with company policies.

Skills

Geochemistry expertise

Hydrogeochemistry

Mentoring junior staff

Client relationships

Safety focus

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Geology/Geochemistry

Graduate degree preferred

Tools

PHREEQC

Geochemist’s Workbench

MIN3P

GoldSim

Python/R

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP has an opportunity for a Senior Geochemist / Hydrogeochemist to join our Mine Environment team on a full-time basis. Possible office locations include Lakewood, Colorado and Redmond, Washington. As part of the team, you will have access to an unparalleled network of resources and opportunities to collaborate on exciting projects with diverse teammates from across the globe.

The selected candidate will support geochemistry and hydrogeochemistry-related projects and proposal efforts with an emphasis on the global mining industry. You will work directly with our senior geochemists on challenging projects and be responsible for contributing to mentoring and supervision of junior staff, data analysis and interpretation, geochemical modeling, proposal development, and technical reporting. You will contribute to the growth of our geochemistry team of professionals in the United States, while supporting our mine water hydrogeology and mine waste management projects. Projects typically involve permitting, baseline characterization studies, operational support, closure support and reclamation/remediation. We are looking for someone to bring their talents, training, enthusiasm, and solutions-oriented focus to work as a valued and respected member of our multidisciplinary team as we tackle challenging environmental problems by delivering relevant solutions.

Your Impact

• Provide support and leadership for geochemical projects, including permitting, baseline studies, operational support, closure support and reclamation/remediation, in particular, for the mining industry, but also for other industries
• Support the development of proposals, schedules and budgets related to the completion of geochemical/hydrogeochemical investigations and characterization studies associated with groundwater, surface water, liquid and solid wastes, and geological materials
• Work in project teams to develop and execute:
  • Project proposals and assessment approaches
  • Conceptual models to describe the fate and transport of constituents in groundwater and surface water
  • Laboratory and/or field programs to support conceptual and numerical model development
  • Numerical models, including development, calibration, and validation
  • Technical reports, memorandums, presentations, and other project deliverables
• Support and/or lead multiple projects according to client-approved scopes of work, and delivery of high-quality reports on time and within budget
• Design, plan, and oversee laboratory and field programs to support project execution
• Support and lead the management, validation, analysis and interpretation of geochemical datasets.
• Work with multi-disciplinary project teams to integrate results of geochemical/hyrogeochemical characterization programs with other disciplines to meet project objectives (e.g., development of models to assess the fate and transport of constituents, development of acid-rock drainage/metal leaching management plans)
• Supervise, train, and mentor junior staff to develop their skillsets including technical skills, project experience, and general consulting and decision-making skills
• Take an active role in developing and maintaining client relationships
• Actively promote a “Safety-First” focus
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Geology, Geochemistry, Hydrogeology, Environmental Science or related field, with a strong quantitative background and focus on aqueous geochemistry; graduate degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in geochemistry, consulting or an adjacent professional field
• Understanding of hydrology, hydrogeology, and surface water and groundwater interactions
• Knowledge of mining-related environmental practices and standard geochemical characterization methods
• Demonstration of the development of conceptual models for the fate and transport of constituents through integration of data from multiple disciplines
• Demonstration of critical thinking in the assessment of geochemical/hydrogeochemical data to support conceptual model development and client decision making
• Experience with data management and statistical assessment tools (e.g., Excel, EQuIS, Python, R)
• Experience with industry-standard modeling software such as PHREEQC, Geochemist’s Workbench, GoldSim, MIN3P, or similar software
• Demonstrated experience in working with teams to deliver work products in a timely fashion, ideally within a consulting environment
• Excellent communication skills and an ability to execute written reports and presentations to convey technical results to a range of audiences
• Capable self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, effective time management and prioritization of responsibilities in a collaborative work environment
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as part of a team, in our hybrid work environment
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek
• Occasional travel, including international, may be required depending on project-specific requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Geology, Geochemistry, Hydrogeology, Environmental Science or related field, with a strong quantitative background and focus on aqueous geochemistry
• Previous experience working as a consulting geochemist/hydrogeochemist or scientist
• Experience working with government regulators
• Experience with hydrogeological modeling and hydrogeological model review
• Experience in design and implementation of field and laboratory programs
• Experience as a project manager for multi-disciplinary projects
• Knowledge of coal combustion residue (CCR) chemistry and regulatory context
• Experience with the application of isotopes to support conceptual model development
• Understanding of laboratory analytical methods (experience working in a laboratory beneficial)
• Experience with data validation techniques for environmental data
• Experience with field data collection and oversight of data collection programs
• MSHA 24-hr level qualified or recertification eligible

WSP Benefits

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation

Expected Salary (all locations): $74,200 - $118,000

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

Expected Salary (Colorado only): $74,200 - $110,700

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and/or offer for this position within the state of Colorado, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.