Environmental Scientist - NorCal

Dudek • Full-time • Fresno, CA, US • $70k - $85k / year • 1m ago

Office Location(s): Sacramento, Auburn, Oakland, Santa Cruz, Fresno
Practice/Department: Biology
Work Environment: Hybrid
Compensation: $70,000 - $85,000*

Dudek’s journey began in 1980 with a vision to serve Southern California’s water and wastewater agencies.

Today, we are a 100% employee-owned firm supporting clients nationwide and delivering projects that improve and protect the built and natural environments of communities throughout the United States. Our work has been recognized by leading industry organizations, and we’ve been honored with multiple national Top Workplace Awards.

Our employee-owners are unified by a singular commitment to supporting projects that address key societal issues, such as the transition to renewable energy, infrastructure hardening and repair, environmental protection, and community resilience.

Learn more about our award-winning culture, the benefits and perks of being a Dudekian, and the projects you will have the opportunity to shape.

Who You Are
As an employee-owner, you embrace accountability, working safely, and collaboration while thinking resourcefully and independently.

Like all Dudekians, you are curious and solution-oriented, with the ability to adapt quickly to changes and approach challenges with a spirit of innovation.

How You’ll Make an Impact
Dudek is currently seeking a full-time Environmental Scientist to join our team. The successful candidate will help grow our practice to implement a wide variety of projects involving sensitive aquatic resources with a focus on aquatic/water quality testing, analysis, management, invasive species control and invasive species permitting. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with other Dudek staff throughout our California offices. This position will entail a mix of field data collection, evaluation and analysis, technical writing and project management.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leads field efforts, and ensures data is collected per appropriate methods and procedures.
Supports training efforts for data collection and analysis.
Evaluates and analyzes data.
Collects or assists with the collection of water quality, environmental toxicology, biology, soil, and air quality data.
Safely and correctly operates and maintains field data collection equipment.
Successfully works with outside vendors, such as testing laboratories, to ensure defensible data collection and analysis.
Communicates results of investigations in written, oral, and graphical formats.
Provides quality assurance and quality control of field work, data, and technical reports.

Works across disciplines, with other Dudek experts, including hydrologists, hydrogeologists, biologists, botanists, environmental planners, engineers, and compliance specialists.
Understands and commits to following all health and safety practices.
Assists with client interface and supports proposal efforts.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, hydrology, geology, biology, ecology, botany, chemistry or related natural resources field.
3+ years of experience in environmental science, water quality or hydrology consulting with increasing levels of field team execution, oversight and responsibility.
Knowledge and understanding of field and data analysis techniques related to aquatic environments.
Strong data collection skills related to best practices, standard safety operating procedures, regulatory guidance.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Willingness to travel for work, including overnight stays in hotels.
Ability to safely drive/operate a vehicle to/from and around field work sites during daytime and nighttime hours.
Must possess a valid driver’s license and have active personal automobile liability insurance by first day of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in environmental science, hydrology, biology, ecology, botany, chemistry or related natural resources field.
Knowledge of California aquatic resource types and systems.
Experience with aquatic invertebrates and microscopy.
Understanding of California regulatory environment.
Strong customer service emphasis and solution-oriented project delivery approach.
Conscientious and detail-oriented with demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail.
Exercises good judgment and sound decision-making skills.

Compensation: $70,000 - $85,000 annually*

*Final agreed-upon compensation will be based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, an individual’s related experience, education, certifications, skills, and work location. Successful candidates must pass a pre-employment drug test and background check prior to beginning employment.

Working Conditions:
Environment

This job operates in a remote or office-based environment and this role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, etc.
This job will require occasional project site visits or surveys, based outdoors which can include excessive noise, uneven walking surfaces, waterbodies and water conveyances, extreme weather, and moving vehicles and equipment.

Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. This job requires the following:

Working on a computer, sitting, or standing for long periods of time in an office or remote office setting.
Attending meetings, both in person and virtually, and speaking on the phone with peers, clients, etc.
Specific vision abilities, including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to use a microscope and binoculars.
Conducting fieldwork in variable and sometimes rugged terrain, often under adverse weather conditions (e.g., heat, cold, rain).
Walking long distances, kneeling, stooping, or crouching for extended periods of time.
Carrying equipment and field gear weighing up to 30 pounds.
Working in proximity to insects, wildlife, and potentially hazardous environments (e.g., wetlands, uneven ground, near dangerous wildlife).
The ability to drive a vehicle long distance to and from remote field sites, sometimes requiring early start times or extended days.

Dudek is committed to creating a workplace where all employees, regardless of their background, feel valued, respected, and have equal opportunities to succeed. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to our business success, and we are dedicated to fostering a culture where everyone can thrive. We are committed to fair and equitable processes, based on merit, free from any discrimination.

Dudek is genuinely committed to equal employment opportunities within our company and on our project teams. Dudek is also committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Dudek’s operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of Dudek, including supervisors and coworkers. Equal employment opportunities will be extended to all persons (including those with disability and veteran status) in all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination. Any employee who violates this policy and Dudek’s commitment to equal employment opportunities will be subject to disciplinary action.

Dudek is a U.S.-based employer. All positions are based in the United States and require U.S. work authorization.