Project Scientist

Project Scientist

Indianapolis, IN | Tetra Tech

Key Responsibilities

• Provide support on a variety of complex and interesting environmental projects, including emergency response with on-call support and significant travel.
• Project management and technical support in emergency response, environmental investigation, brownfields, and remediation.
• Maintain on-call readiness for emergency responses and provide remedial and restoration guidance/solutions.
• Gain valuable data collection experience in the field and prepare detailed analysis of field data and project reports.
• Conduct multi-media environmental sampling (soil, groundwater, surface water, sediment, and air) in accordance with approved work plans and regulatory requirements.
• Support emergency response activities, including 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).
• Collect, document, and manage field data, including completion of field logs, chain-of-custody forms, and electronic data systems.
• Assist with preparation of technical reports, including data interpretation, figures, tables, and summaries.
• Perform field audits, inspections, and site assessments.
• Support hazardous waste site activities, including waste characterization and handling coordination.
• Coordinate with project managers, field teams, laboratories, subcontractors, and clients.
• Maintain inventory and readiness of field supplies, PPE, and equipment.
• Operate and maintain project vehicles.
• Adhere to all company health and safety requirements.
• Travel to project sites and client locations, including extended travel and field deployments.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor’s degree in science, geology, or related physical science degree.
• 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.
• Able to travel up to 75% of the time.
• Excellent technical writing and communication skills.
• Proficiency with MS Office applications.
• Ability to drive on a regular basis.
• Willingness to participate in required health and safety training (e.g., HAZWOPER) and medical monitoring programs.

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, feasibility studies, remedial design, site remediation, air quality, ecological restoration, and water resources.
• Previous experience working on EPA projects.
• Comfortability working in cloud-based environments such as SharePoint Online.

Physical Requirements

• Lift heavy field sampling and other equipment weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Meet physical demands of hazardous waste site work.

Work Environment / Environmental Factors

• Work is performed in a combination of office, field, and client site environments.
• Fieldwork may occur at industrial facilities, construction sites, hazardous waste sites, and emergency response locations.
• Exposure to variable weather conditions.
• Required use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• 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 for emergency response activities.
• 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.

Additional Information

• This full-time position requires approximately 50-75% travel.
• Overnight and short-notice travel, including weekends, should be expected.
• Standard schedule is Monday through Friday; hours may vary based on project needs.
• Flexibility is required to accommodate fieldwork, travel, and emergency response activities.
• Participation in an on-call rotation (anticipated approximately one week per month) is required.
• Passing a criminal background check.
• Passing a motor vehicle record background check and maintaining a valid driver's license and good driving record.

About Tetra Tech

Tetra Tech is the leader in water, environment, and sustainable infrastructure, providing high-end consulting and engineering services for projects worldwide. Our 25,000 employees work together to provide 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.