Junior Environmental Scientist / Entry Level Candidate

Job Description

Junior Environmental Scientist / Entry Level Candidate

APTIM is seeking a junior Environmental Scientist, but will consider an entry level candidate, in the Albany or Schenectady, NY Area. This is a full-time position primarily supporting our stormwater compliance program.

Job Overview

In this role, you will be a key part of our environmental team. Beyond stormwater compliance, there will be opportunities to participate in a variety of other environmental compliance support tasks, including but not limited to:

• Solid waste management
• Hazardous materials and hazardous waste management
• Aboveground storage tanks (ASTs)
• Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) planning
• DOT and RCRA compliance
• Site assessment and remediation
• Environmental data management

The successful candidate will be experienced in supporting an environmental team. This position requires travel to client facilities to conduct stormwater inspection/sampling activities, environmental compliance reviews, and/or gather related data.

Key Responsibilities/Accountabilities

• Collecting environmental samples in the field and preparing and preserving samples for delivery to an analytical laboratory.
• Calibrating and using technical instruments.
• Gaining familiarity with site-specific requirements through review of permit and planning documents, including:
  • National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) or State-Specific General Permit
  • Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
  • Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan
  • Any other applicable plans prepared for the site.
• Ability to plan, organize, and schedule site inspections, including travel to each industrial site utilizing a personal vehicle (reimbursable at the government mileage rate at the time of travel).
• Communicating with the client upon arrival, conducting site inspections, and preparing inspection reports for review by the APTIM Regional Lead.
• Responsible for observing and complying with all safety protocols, including wearing required personal protective equipment.
• Work will consist of straightforward tasks using established procedures, with the potential for solving routine problems as encountered.
• Applying basic technical skills and knowledge to complete assigned work and managing his/her own time to meet deadlines set by others.
• Developing and maintaining records either manually or by computer method.
• Performing field inspections, evaluating site conditions during sampling, and documenting results (visual and written).
• Providing detailed inspection reports documenting site conditions, work activities, and compliance with permit requirements.
• Identifying and reporting on non-compliance issues identified in the field.
• Making recommendations for improvements.
• Executing various work scopes while meeting project schedules and budgets.
• Working independently and as part of a project team and being able to adjust to changing conditions.
• The position requires motivation to work independently and communicate with managers frequently.
• Interfacing with client personnel at a facility level.
• Managing time to ensure a quality product is prepared to meet project deadlines.
• Following defined processes explicitly while also being able to identify and accommodate new or changing scenarios, as well as developing processes for new activities.
• Experience with reviewing and understanding federal, state, or local regulations preferred.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a core science (such as geology, chemistry, physics, or biology), engineering, environmental science, or related area required.
• Related work experience of at least 2 years, but will consider entry-level with appropriate degree and classroom background.
• Travel and flexibility in working hours will be required to accommodate stormwater sampling requirements based on qualifying rain events.
• Able to work independently in the field and in all types of field conditions/weather, including during rain events.
• Overtime and weekend work may be required to meet project sampling requirements.
• Detail-oriented with strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong computer skills required. Must have a demonstrated strength and proficiency in Microsoft applications such as MS Excel, MS Word, SharePoint Online, etc., and the ability to learn other software applications.
• Experience in stormwater compliance inspection/sampling desirable.
• Stormwater certification and/or asbestos certification a plus.
• Current Valid Driver’s License & meet our driving requirements.
• Basic computer skills associated with digital data collection and reporting (i.e., autobuild, plangrid, equis collect, etc.).

Desired/Preferred Qualifications

• Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP) and/or Qualified Industrial Storm Water Practitioner (QiSP)
• Nationally industry standard certifications:
  • Certified Professional in Industrial Stormwater Management (CPISM)
  • Certified Professional in Stormwater Quality (CPSWQ) — ENVIROCERT
  • Certified Stormwater Inspector — National Stormwater Center
  • Industrial Stormwater Inspector — Stormwater Training Center
  • NPDES Permit Inspector Training — USEPA
• 40-hour OSHA-HAZWOPER training.

Physical Requirements

Strength:

• Standing: 50%
• Walking: 20%
• Sitting: 30%
• Lifting: 35 lb.
• Carrying: 35 lb.
• Pushing: 0 ft-lb.
• Pulling: 0 ft-lb.

Other:

• Climbing: O (Occasionally: 0-33%)
• Balancing: O (Occasionally: 0-33%)
• Stooping: O (Occasionally: 0-33%)
• Kneeling: O (Occasionally: 0-33%)
• Crouching: O (Occasionally: 0-33%)
• Crawling: O (Occasionally: 0-33%)
• Reaching: C (Constantly: 67-100%)
• Handling: C (Constantly: 67-100%)
• Fingering: C (Constantly: 67-100%)

Explanation for Symbols: NP=Not Present, O=Occasionally (0-33%), F= Frequently (34-66%), C=Constantly (67-100%)

About APTIM

APTIM enhances the quality of the environment, wellbeing of people, resilience of communities, and opportunity for employees to make a difference, not just a living. As a leading professional solutions firm, we specialize in environmental, sustainability, resilience, and infrastructure solutions. Our team of experts provides these integrated solutions for forward-thinking government agencies, commercial and industrial clients, and energy customers. Together, we create sustainable and resilient communities for all.

Watch Our Video – About APTIM – In Pursuit of Better

What You Can Expect From APTIM

• Work that is worthy of your time and talent.
• Respect and flexibility to live a full life at work and at home.
• Dogged determination to deliver for our clients and communities.
• A voice in making our company better.
• Investment into your personal and professional development.

Compensation

As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay range for this position is $24 – $27 per hour. Compensation depends on several factors including: experience, education, key skills, geographic location of the position, client requirements, external market competitiveness, and internal equity among other employees within APTIM.

Employee Benefits

APTIM Envir & Infra LLC is committed to providing an extensive range of benefits that protect and promote the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families through the APTIM Benefits Marketplace.

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance: Through the marketplace, our employees can choose benefits from five metallic levels and several carriers to find the right benefits that work for them in their location.
• Company-paid and optional Life insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity coverage.
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave (eligibility based on company policy and applicable law).
• 401(k): APTIM offers three 401k plans through the Aon Pooled Employer Plan (PEP). The specific plan you are eligible for depends on the business unit you are in. Details of the largest plan can be found here:
  • APTIM 401(k) Guide
  • APTIM – Helpful Documents