Staff Scientist I

Verdantas; Holden (MA); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Work Environment

Paid Parental Leave

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life and AD&D Insurance

Short-Term Disability

Long-Term Disability

401(k) with Company Match

Paid Time Off + Holidays

Job summary

Verdantas is seeking a Staff Scientist I to join our Massachusetts team. The hybrid role supports field operations for electric distribution infrastructure projects, ensures quality and compliance, and assists with data analysis and technical reporting.

Applicants should have a relevant master's degree and be able to travel domestically for field activities, with strong communication skills and data management proficiency.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant environmental science field is preferred.
• Ability to travel domestically for field sampling events.
• Outdoor work capability in field and occasional office settings required.
• Valid driver's license and ability to pass screenings are required.
• Experience with permitting and environmental compliance for power generation is a plus.
• Strong data management, statistical analysis, and graphic software skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform fish sampling at water intakes for power generation and industrial facilities.
• Conduct environmental field sampling and monitoring per plans/protocols.
• Operate, maintain, and calibrate field equipment (YSI meters, samplers, pumps).
• Collect and prepare samples for lab analysis and QA/QC data.
• Lead field technicians during sampling events and coordinate schedules.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and project deliverables.
• Assist with data analysis, visualization, and interpretation using scientific software.

Skills

Verbal and written communications

Travel to US sites

Shifts noon to midnight

Carry up to 50 lbs

Valid driver's license

Drug screening & background check

OSHA 10/HAZWOPER (plus)

Environmental permitting reporting

Data management & analytics tools

Education

Masters degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science, Environmental Science, Biology, or equivalent

Tools

R

ArcGIS

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Access

PowerPoint

Word

Teams

Job description

Welcome to Verdantas, where innovation meets sustainability, and your career finds purpose!

At Verdantas, we’re redefining environmental consulting and sustainable engineering through our use of cutting‑edge modeling and digital technology and our genuine commitment to people. Our work spans high‑growth sectors like water resources, resilient land use, energy transformation, and civil infrastructure.

Our commitment to excellence, across more than 90 offices, is championed by a team of over 2,000 experts, scientists, engineers, geologists, and technical specialists, embedded in a people‑focused culture, prioritizing the well‑being of our employees, clients, and the communities we serve. We partner with clients to deliver smart, data‑driven solutions to complex environmental and infrastructure challenges. We don’t just solve problems; we help shape a more sustainable future.

Join a people‑first culture that values your well‑being, empowers your growth, and amplifies your impact. At Verdantas, your career goes beyond the expected, and your work helps build a better world.

Ready to shape the future of resilient communities?

Verdantas is seeking a talented Staff Scientist I to join our team in Massachusetts. This hybrid role focuses on supporting field operations, ensuring quality and compliance across a variety of electric distribution infrastructure projects while also assisting with data analysis and technical reporting.

Join our team, and your career will be amplified by a culture of empathy, innovation, and life balance, recognized by employees as the top firm to work for in 2025 by Zweig Group!

What You’ll Do

• Perform fish sampling at water intakes of power generation and industrial facilities.
• Conduct environmental field sampling and monitoring activities in accordance with study plans and protocols.
• Operate, maintain, and calibrate field sampling and monitoring equipment (e.g., YSI multiparameter water quality meters and data sondes, composite water samplers, pumps).
• Collect, process, preserve, and prepare environmental samples for laboratory analysis.
• Lead and coordinate field technicians during sampling events.
• Maintain communication with project teams and site personnel regarding field activities and schedules.
• Complete field documentation, data collection forms, and health and safety requirements including job safety analysis (JSA) forms, datasheets, and chain-of-custody forms
• Perform data entry, QA/QC review, and records management.
• Support data analysis, visualization, and interpretation using scientific software and databases (i.e., R, ArcGIS, Microsoft Access and Excel).
• Assist with preparation of technical reports, presentations, and project deliverables.

What You Bring

• Masters degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science, Environmental Science, Biology, or similar experience preferred.
• Capable of working primarily in an outdoor work environment and occasional office environment.
• Possess excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Able to travel to project sites within the United States for week-long sampling events, up to two weeks per month.
• Capable of working noon to midnight shifts onsite.
• Must be able to carry up to 50 lbs.
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Must be able to pass a drug screening and background check.
• OSHA 10-hr or 40-hr HAZWHOPER is a plus.
• Technical reporting experience pertaining to permitting and environmental compliance for power generation industry is a plus.
• Proficient with computer data management, statistical analysis, and graphic software platforms, including R, ArcGIS, Microsoft Suite of Programs (i.e., Excel, Access, Powerpoint, Word, Teams, etc.) is a plus.

Salary Range

The starting salary for this position is $55,000, with final compensation determined based on qualifications and licensing status.

Benefits

• Flexible Work Environment
• Paid Parental Leave
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Time Off + Holidays

Verdantas strives to develop new ways to increase diversity awareness within our organization. We recruit and reward our employees based on capability and performance — regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, lifestyle, age, educational background, national origin, religion, or physical ability. For us, it is imperative to build balanced teams from all walks of life and we believe that a diverse workforce is a stronger workforce.

Verdantas is an EOE race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet