Entry Level Environmental Scientist

Job Overview: Entry Level Environmental Scientist at APTIM

APTIM is seeking an Entry Level Environmental Scientist to join their team full-time in the Sacramento, CA area. This role primarily supports solid waste composition assessments of client waste containers. These assessments typically span 1-2 days with team sizes ranging from 2 to 5 members.

Assessment Work Activities

Your responsibilities will include:

• Sorting through solid waste using hand tools to segregate waste items by type.
• Assessing various waste types, including plastics, paper, cardboard, glass, food waste, and regulated materials.
• Assisting with the separation of waste, weighing, and inventorying items for data analysis and reporting.

This role requires physical ability, including bending, lifting 30 pounds or less, willingness to work in Tyvek safety suits and required safety equipment, and ability to work on your feet for up to 8 hours.

Career Growth and Additional Responsibilities

As you gain experience, motivated candidates will have opportunities to:

• Become Team Leads, coordinating assessment work activities for diverse clients.
• Take on additional responsibilities, including preparing documentation related to assessment results.
• Participate in other environmental compliance support tasks such as hazardous waste, hazardous materials, aboveground storage tanks, spill prevention, and DOT and RCRA compliance.

Key Responsibilities/Accountabilities

Waste Composition Assessments

• Sort solid waste into material categories (plastics, paper, cardboard, food waste, regulated waste, etc.).
• Utilize hand tools for waste sorting and handle items weighing 30 pounds or less.
• Travel with the team to transfer stations, landfills, and client sites (primarily in CA, but potentially continental US).
• Progress to Team Lead, coordination of multiple assessments, and documentation of results.

Other Environmental Compliance Tasks

• Execute various work scopes while adhering to project schedules and budgets.
• Work independently and collaboratively within project teams, adapting to changing conditions.
• Assist in preparing regulatory reports and permit applications as a team member or lead.
• Interface with client personnel at both corporate and facility levels.
• Manage time effectively to ensure quality deliverables meet project deadlines.
• Apply knowledge and skills to standard and nonstandard situations.
• Follow defined processes, identify new scenarios, and develop new activity processes.

Basic Qualifications

• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen.
• Bachelor's degree in a core science (geology, chemistry, physics, biology), engineering, environmental science, or related area.
• 1-2 years of related work experience desired.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications (MS Excel, MS Word, SharePoint Online) and ability to learn new software.
• Willingness to work in the field and travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience or training in environmental compliance and relevant federal/state regulations.
• 40-Hour HAZWOPER training.

Physical Requirements

This role involves physical activity, including frequent standing, occasional walking and sitting, and the ability to lift and carry up to 35 lbs. Specific movements like stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, handling, and fingering are also required with varying frequency.

About APTIM

APTIM is dedicated to accelerating the transition to a clean energy economy, building a sustainable future, and fostering an inclusive environment. They specialize in environmental, resilience, sustainability, and energy solutions, alongside technical and data solutions, program management, and critical infrastructure.

What You Can Expect From APTIM

• Meaningful work that values your time and talent.
• Respect and flexibility for work-life balance.
• Commitment to client and community delivery.
• Opportunities to contribute to company improvement.
• Investment in personal and professional development.

Key skills/competency

• Waste Composition Assessment
• Environmental Compliance
• Solid Waste Management
• Data Analysis
• Regulatory Reporting
• Fieldwork Operations
• Microsoft Excel
• Project Coordination
• HAZWOPER
• Team Leadership