Environmental Chemist/Scientist
About the position Integral Consulting Inc. is seeking an experienced environmental chemist or scientist with 3 to 5 years of experience to join their Sediment and Water Investigations and Monitoring practice in their Santa Cruz, California office. This role primarily involves reviewing and validating environmental data, supporting field programs, and managing a small wet laboratory. The position will support multiple clients and projects, with day-to-day responsibilities including reviewing and validating laboratory data, managing a small wet laboratory, supporting field efforts, and occasionally performing fieldwork. The selected candidate will collaborate closely with project team members on water quality monitoring, stormwater planning and monitoring, and sediment sampling efforts across the Bay Area and Northern California. This position is primarily in-office, with potential for hybrid work. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, a lifelong learner, comfortable working independently and collaboratively, and possesses strong principles of quality management and integrity.
Responsibilities
- Assisting with sample control procedures for multiple projects
- Tracking submission of samples to chemistry laboratories and receipt of associated data for multiple projects
- Adhering quality control and quality assurance procedures to ensure data integrity
- Communicating with laboratories regarding data quality questions or corrections that may be needed.
- Performing quality assurance reviews of technical analyses and results
- Managing laboratory and data validation subcontractors
- Reviewing CEDEN EDDs and applying the Quality Assurance codes associated with chemistry excursions
- Performing Stage 2B and Stage 3 data validation and reporting following EPA’s National Functional Guidelines
- Assisting in writing formal QAQC reports
- Executing laboratory bottle cleaning procedures and maintaining facility organization
- Managing and maintaining a small wet laboratory
- Collecting river, stream, creek, ocean, and stormwater samples
- Collecting sediment and surface water samples both on land and from boats
- Maintaining accurate field and laboratory logs
- Adhering to company, project, state, and federal safety policies
- Fieldwork may include long days, extended exposure to the elements, prolonged standing, and lifting equipment or materials.
- Ability and willingness to work outdoors in a wide range of weather conditions.
- Work schedule may include working nights and/or weekends, defined by storm forecasts.
Requirements
- Minimum of a B.A. or B.S. in chemistry or a related science
- At least 3 years of experience in a related technical field
- Familiarity with environmental analytical methods for water and sediments
- Demonstrated strong personal initiative towards projects, critical thinking, and problem solving
- Solid attention to detail
- Ability to oversee a small wet laboratory, cleaning glassware and field equipment
- Flexibility with work hours as required to meet project needs
- Affinity for working outdoors in all weather conditions, with some nights and weekends
- A valid U.S. driver's license (or ability to obtain one upon hire) and a clean driving record. If a driver’s license cannot be obtained, reliable transportation to project and field sites is required
- Ability to lift and carry items of varying weights as required by the job, occasionally up to 40 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation
- Proficiency with Microsoft® Office products Word and Excel
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- A desire to grow both intellectually and professionally
- Strong organizational abilities
- Ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers
Benefits
- Company-subsidized (employee and family) medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) participation with a company match of 1% to 4% of annual compensation
- Company-paid life and short- and long-term disability insurance
- Paid sick leave (10 days) per year
- Paid vacation (12 days) per year
- Paid holidays (9 days) per year
- Potential for an annual discretionary bonus based on company performance