Early Career Environmental Scientist

Job Description

Early Career Environmental Scientist – Kansas City, MO

About WSP

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, WSP’s experts are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors, and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water, and environment markets, partnering with clients to help communities prosper. With over 15,000 employees across more than 300 offices in the U.S., WSP offers a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs.

The Opportunity

WSP is seeking a highly motivated Early Career Environmental Scientist to join our team in the Kansas City, MO office. This role offers an exciting opportunity for a professional passionate about environmental protection and sustainable development to contribute to meaningful projects.

As an Early Career Environmental Scientist, you will provide essential local technical assistance, focusing on the collection, identification, and compilation of observational and spatial data related to various biological, physical, and earth sciences. You will play a crucial role in supporting the development of processes and infrastructure concerning water supply, air emission, pollution control, cultural impact, and preserving environmental quality. This involves identifying, controlling, and preventing disruption to environmental systems and species caused by human activity. The position emphasizes generating accurate and concise documentation, ensuring all responsibilities meet or exceed acceptable industry standards.

Your Impact and Key Responsibilities

Under general supervision, your responsibilities will include:

• Conducting natural resource field surveys to collect observational, spatial, and environmental data.
• Collecting and compiling samples of air, soil, water, sludge, and other matrices for detailed analysis.
• Maintaining rigorous quality control standards and procedures for accurate and precise measurement and documentation.
• Assisting with basic professional environmental science work related to ecological systems, air, and water resources.
• Providing entry-level technical assistance on various environmental issues and helping verify site characteristics.
• Generating complete, accurate, and concise documentation using electronic systems and field/work site notebooks.
• Complying with all safety guidelines and site-specific procedures, including meticulous maintenance of sample collection, location data, laboratory or statistical documentation, and logbooks.
• Utilizing the latest technologies and techniques in performing studies and analyses of habitats, sites, and potential environmental and population health impacts.
• Completing required training on assigned tasks to enhance skills and knowledge.
• Exercising responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, adhering strictly to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Performing additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are – Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or a related life sciences field.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical skills and familiarity with research techniques, local/regional ecology and habitats, and applicable species/discipline.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with relevant environmental laws, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
• Communication: Competent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of expressing ideas effectively and professionally to both scientific and non-scientific audiences.
• Self-Leadership: Proficient self-leadership with keen attention to detail, ability to multi-task, and prioritize responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Teamwork & Independence: Ability to work both independently under general supervision and collaboratively as part of a team to meet business objectives.
• Technical Proficiency: Basic proficiency with business writing, office automation, and communication software, technology, and tools.
• Safety Commitment: Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety, and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Flexibility: Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Travel: Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active membership and/or participation in local professional practice organizations.

Benefits & Culture at WSP

At WSP, we are committed to providing a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to support the health and financial stability of our employees throughout their careers. These include medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, and retirement savings options. We believe in empowering our employees with challenges to grow their careers and knowledge base, ensuring your daily contributions are essential in meeting client objectives, goals, and challenges.

Equal Opportunity Employer

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and do not discriminate based on Race, Age, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Disability, or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP, and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.