Project Scientist - Chicago, IL

Discover your full potential. At Tetra Tech, we are collaborating with industry-leading experts for a sustainable future for our world. We combine consulting and engineering with advanced analytics and technology to solve the world’s most complex challenges. Our innovation hubs across the globe will enable you to share ideas and best practices while growing your professional network. Wherever you are in your career journey, you will benefit from working with world-class engineers, scientists, and technical specialists.

Apply today and join the company that is Leading with Science®.

Your Role:

Are you ready to take the next step in your career?  Do you want to do meaningful work that improves quality of life? At Tetra Tech, you will work with high-performing teams who are passionate about using their expertise to find solutions to complex problems in water, environment, infrastructure, resource management, energy, and international development.  

Tetra Tech, Inc. is seeking a full-time Project Scientist for our Chicago, IL location to 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 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.  

Responsibilities will include multi-media environmental sampling, field audits and inspections, organizing and reviewing data, preparing reports, records review, collection of air monitoring data, training and exercise support, contractor oversight, and related activities.  Additional responsibilities and opportunities may include task and project management, conducting training presentations, preparation of statements of qualifications and proposals, and other consulting activities for a variety of government and private sector clients.

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.  

Qualifications:

Candidates must have about 3-7 years of experience in environmental consulting, hazardous materials response, or related experience. The selected candidate must also have/be: 

• 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 are required.  

Desired skills in the ideal candidate include but are not limited to:

• Knowledge of federal and state environmental regulations, emergency response, and remediation management experience as well as the ability to respond quickly within a mandatory response time. 
• 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 or IEPA projects.
• GIS data analysis and geostatistics, coding (VBA, Python, etc.), and data management skills.

In addition, this position requires:

• Driving on a regular basis, therefore, passing a motor vehicle record background check.
• Maintaining a valid driver's license and good driving record.
• Passing a criminal background check.

Degrees / Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, geology, or related physical science required.
• 40-Hour OSHA HAZWOPER, ICS or related training, or demonstrated first responder (environmental emergency response) experience preferred.
• Asbestos certification preferred.

Physical Demands:

• Heavy lifting of field sampling and other equipment will be required.
• Meeting physical demands of hazardous waste site work required.

Work Environment:

• This position requires up to 75% travel.
• Primary work environment is office and field, with remote hybrid work flexibility depending on project requirements.  
• Travel to client sites and other locations to conduct meetings, site visits, etc. will be required.  These sites may be outdoors, exposing the candidate to weather conditions and varying terrain.  
• Evening and/or weekend work and/or travel will be required.  

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.

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.