Geology Department Lead
The Opportunity:
Tetra Tech is seeking a Geology Department Lead in our Virginia Beach, VA location.
Why Tetra Tech:
At Tetra Tech, we are Leading with Science to solve the world’s most complex challenges. Our industry-leading experts in engineering and consulting are committed to driving positive change in communities around the world. For over 50 years, we have been at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. Today we stand as a market leader, offering cutting-edge solutions in water, environment, energy, and international development. Our work has improved more than 625 million lives around the world.
Join Tetra Tech to make a real difference. Our work leverages cutting-edge technologies, advanced analytics, and the expertise of world-class scientists and engineers to create meaningful change around the world. Discover your full potential – join us to advance your career while leaving a lasting legacy.
Your Impact:
Join Tetra Tech to make a real difference. Our work leverages cutting-edge technologies, advanced analytics, and the expertise of world-class scientists and engineers to create meaningful change around the world. Discover your full potential – join us to advance your career while leaving a lasting legacy.
Responsibilities:
This position is a Seller-Doer role, primarily focused on providing senior-level technical support and project management for environmental characterization and remediation projects. While this lead role is located in Virginia Beach, it will support projects across the Mid-Atlantic region. The successful candidate will manage complex environmental investigation programs under various regulatory frameworks, including CERCLA, RCRA, and TSCA, while also mentoring junior staff and overseeing a multi-disciplinary team.
The candidate will be responsible for a variety of program and project related tasks to implement complex field investigation and remediation projects under various environmental regulatory programs for both government and private clients. These projects will include multimedia sampling, interpretation of data and designing integrated active and institutional remediation programs. Additional essential duties include:
Project Management:
• Manage the scoping, planning, and execution of large, complex environmental investigation and remediation projects for federal, municipal, commercial, and industrial clients.
• Oversee project financials, including budgets, costs, and contingencies, and provide project-level financial progress reports.
• Prepare and monitor project scopes, schedules, and budgets to ensure successful project delivery.
Technical Leadership:
• Provide geology and hydrogeology interpretation to support CERCLA and RCRA investigations.
• Lead geologic/contaminant investigations and remediation projects, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Conduct technical work, including engineering design, drawing review, and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC).
Team Coordination and Development:
• Direct and coordinate the work of multi-disciplinary teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Mentor junior and mid-level staff, fostering their professional growth and development.
• Manage hiring, employee performance, and compensation reviews to build a high-performing team.
Client Engagement and Strategic Planning:
• Assist clients with strategic planning and project prioritization.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients to facilitate successful project delivery and client retention.
• Engage in regulatory relations, negotiations, and routine reporting to ensure compliance and client satisfaction.
Business Development:
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities to expand the department's client base and project portfolio.
• Develop proposals and presentations to secure new projects and maintain existing client relationships.
• Collaborate with marketing and business development teams to enhance the visibility of the department and its services.
Quality Assurance and Risk Management:
• Monitor health and safety aspects of projects, recommending changes, as necessary.
• Implement effective risk management procedures and monitor quality assurance processes, recommending improvements as needed.
• Conduct value engineering reviews and integrated planning to optimize project outcomes.
Reporting and Documentation:
• Write and lead teams in preparing complex technical reports and decision documents for hazardous waste site investigations and remediation.
• Prepare and present routine program progress status reports and presentations to multiple stakeholders.
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the education, experience, knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Education:
Bachelor’s degree (BS) in geology or related science; a Master’s degree (MS/MA) preferred.
• Experience:
Minimum of 15 years of experience in environmental geosciences and remediation projects, with a proven track record of managing multiple projects concurrently.
• Licenses/Certifications:
Registered Professional Geologist (PG) required; Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a plus.
• Training: 40-Hour OSHA HAZWOPER training and current 8-hour refresher training preferred.
• Skills:
o Excellent technical writing and verbal communication skills.
o Proficiency in delivering technical and business presentations.
o Strong client retention and new business development skills.
o Ability to manage a diverse team of professionals and provide technical expertise to design staff.
This position requires the candidate to be a U.S. Citizen due to the projects they will be working on.
The Geology Department Lead will supervise and mentor other geologists, environmental scientists, and engineers assigned to projects, ensuring effective team collaboration and project execution.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Most of the candidate’s duties will be performed in the office. There will be occasions for site visits, field measurements, and to attend meetings. Most “on-site” activities will be three days or less in duration. There may be occasions to travel to more remote sites within the United States. These trips normally have a duration of less than one week and are not frequent. The ability to support clientele for extended durations (more than one week), would be discussed with the successful candidate if feasible.
Physical demands may include walking over uneven terrain in a wide range of weather conditions (wet/dry, hot/cold). Occasional light lifting may be involved.
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level is usually moderate in the primary work environment i.e., a typical business office with computers, printers, and light pedestrian traffic. When performing field work, the employee may be near moving equipment and/or machinery and may be subject to a range of weather conditions in those areas. Occasionally, work assignments will require the employee to travel via vehicle and/or aircraft.
Language & Communication Skills:
• Must be fluent in English, with strong proficiency in writing, reading, and speaking.
• Demonstrated high level of written and oral communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with employees across all levels and disciplines.
• The Senior Geologist/Project Manager will thrive in a team-oriented environment, successfully interfacing with diverse groups to achieve project objectives.
• Ability to present information clearly, respond to inquiries, and engage in meaningful dialogue.
• Proficient in reading, researching, analyzing, and interpreting a variety of materials, including business periodicals, professional journals, technical documents, and government regulations.
• Capable of writing detailed reports, business correspondence, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Must be adept at responding to sensitive inquiries or complaints and delivering persuasive presentations on complex or controversial topics.
Mathematical Skills:
• Proficient in basic arithmetic operations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, across various units of measure using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to apply mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to real-world scenarios.
• Competence in performing technical analyses relevant to the field of specialization, including the ability to read and interpret financial documents and utilize various mathematical concepts.
Other Skills:
• Strong computer skills are essential for this role, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, GIS software (as needed for data interpretation), Adobe, and other desktop publishing tools necessary for preparing technical documents.
• The candidate must demonstrate the ability to thrive in both professional and team-oriented environments, as well as work independently when required.
• Strong organizational skills, excellent leadership capabilities, and a client-focused mindset are essential attributes for success in this position.
Life at Tetra Tech:
The perks of working at Tetra Tech include:
• Comprehensive and market-competitive benefits.
• Merit-based financial rewards.
• Flexibility and company-wide commitment to work/life balance.
• Collaborative team atmosphere that values the contributions of all employees.
• Learning and development opportunities for ongoing professional growth.
About Tetra Tech:
Tetra Tech is the leader in water, environment, and sustainable infrastructure, providing high-end consulting and engineering services for projects worldwide. With 30,000 employees working together, Tetra Tech provides clear solutions to complex problems by Leading with Science® to address the entire water cycle, protect and restore the environment, design sustainable and resilient infrastructure, and support the clean energy transition.
Tetra Tech is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital or familial status, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. Tetra Tech is a VEVRAA federal contractor and we request priority referral of veterans.
We invite applications from all interested parties.
Explore our open positions at https://www.tetratech.com/careers. Follow us on social media to learn more about our people, culture, and opportunities:
Explore our open positions at https://www.tetratech.com/careers. Follow us on social media to learn more about our people, culture, and opportunities:
LinkedIn: @TetraTechCareers
Twitter: @TetraTechJobs
Facebook: @TetraTechCareers
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.
Please no phone calls or agencies.