Staff Scientist - Environmental
Peak Environmental, a Nova Group, GBC Company
Full-Time
Location: East Brunswick, New Jersey
This entry-level position is primarily responsible for supporting the implementation of environmental due diligence, site investigation, and remediation projects by performing technical, regulatory, and financial tasks appropriate to the experience level for this position.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
​Core duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
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A Staff Scientist supports the Company work product by actively participating in project teams with the responsibility to perform Environmental Site Assessments, report preparation, generate data of known quality by coordinating field events, following technical Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)s for sampling, generating and uploading field documentation, and preparing data summary tables and drawings meeting Company standards.
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Perform Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) in accordance with ASTM Phase I standards and local, state, and federal regulations.
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Coordinate field events through communications with other team members, laboratories, contractors and equipment providers.
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Implement field events developed by the project team with overall responsibility for safety, communications with third parties, contractor management, final sample location selection, sample handling and management, comprehensive field notes, waste management, overall quality assurance and upload of field notes, photographs, sample documentation to the project folder.
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Drilling oversight to implement soil sampling programs and/or monitoring well installation. Site responsibilities include final drilling location selection, detailed lithological logging, sample interval selection, sample collection and handling, final well construction specifications.
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Conduct groundwater sampling events meeting the investigation work plan. Site responsibilities include accurate field measurements, sample intake depth selection, sample collection and handling, waste management, complete groundwater sample data sheets, and overall quality assurance. Competent in instrument operation supporting the Company laboratory certification for field parameters.
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Conduct vapor sampling events meeting the investigation work plan. Site responsibilities include accurate field measurements, final sample location, sample collection and handling, complete vapor sample data sheets comprehensive field notes, and overall quality assurance
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Manage field measurements and readings, and laboratory data to summarize field and laboratory data in appropriate forms, tables and drawings. Prepare and submit NJDEP EDD files.
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Perform well searches, receptor evaluations, public notification, and biennial certification tasks in accordance with Company SOPs and regulations.
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Complete regulatory forms to accompany report submittals to NJDEP.
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Manage technical, communication, and management files associated with the project to ensure efficient preparation of deliverables.
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A Staff Scientist supports Company financials by accurately entering information into the appropriate Company system.
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Daily completion of time sheet.
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Daily completion of expense reports.
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Entering field equipment and materials used during field events into Company financial software.
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Effectively communicate discrepancies between planned costs or expenses to actual.
A Staff Scientist supports Company operations by efficiently following, supporting and implementing procedures and programs that support consistent to project work.
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Follow administrative SOPs.
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Manage project files.
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Support the Company Health & Safety Program.
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Actively participate in technical and regulatory training sessions.
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Attendance
Must be punctual and timely in meeting all requirements of performance, including, but not limited to, attendance standards and work deadlines; beginning and ending assignments on time; and scheduled work breaks where applicable.
Qualifications
​To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Intellectual
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Analytical — Collects representative samples of soil, groundwater, and air, and manages and presents data in tables and figures.
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Design — Demonstrates attention to detail during sampling programs and through accuracy of data in tables and figures.
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Problem Solving — Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner. Works well as a member of a project team and in group problem-solving situations.
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Project Management — Communicates changes and progress. Completes projects on time and in budget.
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Technical Skills — Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills through scheduled work with field and office training and by attending periodic external training.
Interpersonal
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Customer Service — Responds promptly to customer needs and requests for service and assistance. Meets commitments set by more senior team members.
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External Working Relationships — Develops and maintains courteous and effective working relationships with clients, vendors and/or any other representatives of external organizations.
Organization
Cost Consciousness — Works within approved budgets. Develops and implements cost-saving measures.
Safety and Security
All employees are responsible for compliance with the Company Health and Safety Program at project sites, and for observing safety and security procedures in the office. All employees are expected to report potentially unsafe conditions in the field or office to management.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) in Environmental Science, Geology, or related discipline from a four-year college or university and zero to two years of related experience and/or training.
Language Skills:
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Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
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Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
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Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.
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Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
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Computer Skills
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have basic knowledge of:
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Accounting Software (Ajera)
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Specialty Software (Example - GIS)
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Presentation software (PowerPoint)
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Database Software (Access)
Intermediate or advanced knowledge of:
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Spreadsheet Software (Excel)
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Inventory Software (Equipment Management in SharePoint)
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Order Processing Systems (SharePoint Work Orders)
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Word Processing Software (Word)
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Electronic Mail Software (Outlook)
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations (preferred but not required):
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OSHA 40hr Certification
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OSHA 8-hr Refresher Course
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OSHA respirator fitness test
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Other skills, abilities, and qualifications:
Environmental sampling experience.
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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and sit. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Ability to lift 50 lb. weight.
A valid driver's license is required for this position.
Working for Nova Group, GBC
Nova Group, GBC (Nova) is a privately held multidisciplinary advisory firm incorporated in 1987. We have a global footprint headquartered in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Our teams service clients throughout the United States and abroad. Nova provides services in the areas of environmental management, compliance investigation, corrective action activities, strategic energy services, and construction services. Our diverse portfolio of services creates a multitude of career possibilities, and we strive to bring on talent who want to learn and build their skills across multiple sectors of our business.​
Nova is a General Benefit Corporation (GBC). This means that our corporate values are aligned with our business practices and that we recognize that our role goes beyond profitability. Beyond our articles of incorporation, we are committed to measuring our impact in four key segments: our environment, our communities, our customers, and our employees.
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To remain competitive and to differentiate ourselves from others in the industry, we continuously review our benefit programs. We offer remote, hybrid and flexible work arrangements because we realize that personal demands don’t just happen after 5 p.m. Our culture is successful because we trust our teams to be accountable to each other and to our clients.
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Nova is committed to supporting your professional development through career ladders, training programs, and continuing education to support your certifications and licenses. We look for opportunities to build skills on the job in particular, shadowing mentors and senior staff, leveraging all they have to offer. We always want our employees to feel challenged and to strive to grow their skills and careers.
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