Senior Geologist

UES; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

UES is seeking a Senior Geologist in Topeka, Kansas. This role serves as a technical expert, overseeing field teams and ensuring quality on complex geological projects. The successful candidate will have at least 8 years of experience in environmental site investigation and a Bachelor's degree in Geology, with FG certification and OSHA training.

The position entails moderate travel and requires expertise in environmental regulations, team leadership, and report management.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive experience in environmental site investigation or regulatory compliance.
• FG certification required; Professional Geologist (PG) license preferred.
• OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER certification and clean driving record are mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex site investigations and remediation efforts.
• Prepare, review, and sign off on technical reports.
• Mentor and train junior geologists.

Skills

Environmental regulations expertise

Project lifecycle management

Data interpretation

Geologic modeling

Mentoring junior staff

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Hydrogeology, or Environmental Science

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Field instrumentation

QA/QC processes

Job description

Overview

At UES, we’re a team of more than 4,000 engineers, scientists, geologists, inspectors, technicians, and drillers united by a shared purpose—to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. As a national leader in geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, and materials testing and inspection, we collaborate on transformative projects across transportation, energy, water, healthcare, and more. Learn more about the benefits of joining Team UES and our core values at careers.teamues.com.

Position Overview

The Senior Geologist serves as a technical expert and project lead on complex environmental and geological assignments. This role oversees field teams, reviews technical deliverables, and ensures the highest standards of quality, safety, and compliance. The Senior Geologist also mentors junior geologists and provides strategic input into proposal development and project planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee complex site investigations, remediation efforts, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Perform and review detailed data interpretation, modeling, and advanced geologic or hydrogeologic analysis.
• Prepare, review, and sign off on technical reports, including regulatory submittals and risk assessments.
• Mentor and train junior geologists in field techniques, reporting, and regulatory understanding.
• Manage client relationships and act as a technical point of contact on projects.
• Develop scopes of work, schedules, and budgets for proposals and ongoing projects.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and regulatory agencies to ensure project success.
• Evaluate and implement process improvements to enhance safety, efficiency, and technical quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Hydrogeology, or Environmental Science; Master’s degree preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in environmental site investigation, remediation, or regulatory compliance.
• FG certification required; Professional Geologist (PG) license strongly preferred or required based on state.
• OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER certification and current refresher.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Expertise in environmental regulations, risk-based remediation strategies, and project lifecycle management.
• Advanced proficiency in field instrumentation, data interpretation, geologic modeling, and QA/QC processes.
• Proven experience leading technical teams, mentoring junior staff, and managing client relationships.
• Strong track record of writing, reviewing, and signing off on regulatory submittals, proposals, and reports.
• Strategic thinking, project scoping, and budgeting experience preferred.

Travel Requirements

• This position requires moderate travel, approximately up to 20% to 40% of the time, in support of business objectives and client engagements. Travel may be both scheduled and on short notice, depending on project needs. Destinations typically include job sites, field locations, or regional offices, where work may be conducted in outdoor or operational environments. Adherence to all company safety protocols and use of PPE is required during travel and on-site work.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• This position primarily works in an outdoor work environment, regularly exposed to varying field conditions, including:
• Sites that may not be accessible by vehicle, requiring travel on foot through wetlands, swamps, grasslands, fields, and other uneven or rugged terrain with natural and man-made obstacles such as sand, brush, and debris.
• Moderate to loud noise levels, common in active construction and industrial environments.
• Exposure to environmental elements including dirt, dust, sun, heat, humidity, and adverse weather conditions.
• The physical requirements for this position may include and are not limited to:
• Ability to lift and/or carry 35 to 75 lbs. up to 75 feet, involving regular repetitive motion.
• Ability to stand, walk, drive, and operate equipment for extended periods.
• Frequent use of hands and arms for typing, handling tools, and operating equipment.
• Ability to bend, twist, reach, stoop, pull, kneel, climb, balance, lift, carry, and push as required for fieldwork and inspections.
• Ability to speak and hear effectively to communicate in noisy environments and with project teams.
• Ability to use your senses to see (including close, distant, and peripheral vision, depth vision, and ability to focus), smell, hear, and touch (use hands to reach, climb or balance, crouch, stoop, crawl, kneel and sit).

EEO Statement

UES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is proud to recruit the most qualified candidates. Please see our full EEO Statement at the bottom of the page.