Project Scientist

The Opportunity
Tetra Tech is looking for a full-time Project Scientist for our Chicago, IL location. 

Position Summary
The selected candidate will provide support on a variety of complex and interesting environmental projects, including emergency response with on-call support and significant travel opportunity.  This position will involve project management, providing technical support in the areas of emergency response, environmental investigation, brownfields, and remediation.  Members of the emergency response team are responsible for maintaining on-call readiness to handle emergency responses and provide remedial and restoration guidance/solutions to clients throughout the Midwest and across the United States, including the oversight of site operations and health and safety.  

In this position you will be part of a project team, gaining valuable data collection experience in the field and preparing detailed analysis of field data and project reports.  Tetra Tech provides mentoring and training opportunities to help staff develop their skills and diversify their experience and interests.

Essential Job Functions

The following duties are considered essential to the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions:

• Conduct multi-media environmental sampling (soil, groundwater, surface water, sediment, and air) in accordance with approved work plans, SOPs, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Support emergency response activities, including maintaining on-call readiness, mobilizing to sites, and assisting with time-sensitive field operations and site stabilization efforts. 
• Calibrate, operate, and maintain field monitoring equipment (e.g. PID/FID, air monitoring instruments, water quality meters) and ensure proper documentation of calibration and use.
• Collect, document, and manage field data, including completion of field logs, chain-of-custody forms, and electronic data systems in accordance with QA/QC requirements. 
• Assist with preparation of technical reports, including data interpretation, figures, tables, and summaries for regulatory and client deliverables.
• Perform field audits, inspections, and site assessments to support environmental investigations, remediation activities, and compliance monitoring.
• Support hazardous waste site activities, including waste characterization, handling coordination, and compliance with applicable health and safety protocols.
• Coordinate with project managers, field teams, laboratories, subcontractors, and clients to support project execution, schedules, and deliverables.
• Maintain inventory and readiness of field supplies, PPE, and equipment, including preparation for mobilization and restocking following field events.
• Operate and maintain project vehicles and ensure readiness for deployment to field sites.
• Adhere to all company health and safety requirements and participate in safety briefings, trainings, and incident reporting.
• Travel to project sites and client locations, including extended travel and field deployments, as required by project needs.
   

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.

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.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, geology, or related physical science

   

• 0-3 years of environmental consulting or related experience.

• Customer focused and work well in a team environment.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Able to be on-call as needed and travel up to 75% of the time.  
• Excellent technical writing and communication skills, as well as proficiency with MS Office applications.
• Able to proactively communicate their workload and availability and take initiative to seek out additional work opportunities during slower periods to remain fully engaged and productive.

In addition, the following is required:

• Passing a criminal background check.
• Driving on a regular basis. Passing a motor vehicle record background check and maintaining a valid driver's license and good driving record is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of federal and state environmental regulations, emergency response, and remediation management.
• Experience with vapor intrusion assessments, PFAS sampling, hazardous waste site investigation and field sampling, feasibility studies, remedial design, site remediation, air quality, ecological restoration, and water resources.
• Previous experience working on EPA projects.
• Data literacy, including comfortability working in cloud-based environments such as SharePoint Online.
• 40-hour OSHA HAZWOPER and current 8-hour refresher certification.  If the successful candidate does not already possess this training, Tetra Tech will provide training prior to initiating regular work duties in the field.  

Physical Requirements

Candidates must be able to:

• Walk around project sites in all types of terrains.
• Lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50lbs.
• Meet physical demands of hazardous waste site work.
• Participate in required health and safety training (i.e. OSHA HAZWOPER) and complete medical monitoring program.

Work Environment / Environmental Factors

• Work is performed in a combination of office, field, and client site environments, with a large portion of time spent in outdoor and industrial settings.
• Fieldwork may occur at active or former industrial facilities, construction sites, hazardous waste sites, and emergency response locations with varying levels of physical and environmental complexity.
• Regular exposure to variable weather conditions, including cold, heat, humidity, precipitation, and wind, during field assignments in the Midwest.
• Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) will be required and provided to work around environmental hazards, including chemicals, petroleum products, hazardous substances, dust, vapors, fumes, and elevated noise levels. 
• Work may be conducted on uneven terrain, near heavy equipment, or in areas with limited access.
• Field assignments may require extended workdays, non-standard hours, and rapid mobilization in support of emergency response activities, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Travel to project sites may be frequent and may include overnight stays and short-notice deployment.

• Office-based work includes prolonged periods of computer use, data analysis, and report preparation in a professional office setting.

   

Additional Information

• This full-time position requires approximately 50-75% travel, depending on project needs and emergency response activities. Overnight and short-notice travel, including weekends, should be expected.

• Standard schedule is Monday through Friday during normal business hours; however, hours may vary based on project needs. Flexibility is required to accommodate fieldwork, travel, and emergency response activities.

• Additional time may be required to meet project deadlines, support field events, or respond to emergency situations.

• Participation in an on-call rotation (anticipated approximately one week per month) is required. During on-call periods, the candidate must be available to respond to emergency response needs, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

   

• Must be able to drive on a regular basis.  Passing a motor vehicle record background check and maintaining a valid driver's license and good driving record is required. 
   

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.  

Benefits
Tetra Tech offers comprehensive benefit options that allow employees to design a plan based on individual needs and assists in planning for long-term financial security.  Available benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance, term life, disability, accidental death & dismemberment coverage, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Spending Account (HSA), time off with pay, 401k retirement plan, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

The salary range for this position is $53,000 - $60,000 depending on education, experience, skills, and location.

Health and safety play a vital role in our success. Tetra Tech’s employees work together to comply with all applicable health & safety practices and protocols, including any public health orders and regulations that are mandated by local, state, provincial, federal, and international authorities as well as client and project requirements.