Chemist/Scientist

This Opportunity

WSP’s Federal Environment Team is seeking a Chemist or Scientist to work out of our Valhalla, NY; Troy, NY; Buffalo, NY; Morristown, NJ; or Lawrenceville, NJ office. 

The successful candidate will assist Lead Chemists in preparing Quality Assurance Project Plans, performing data management, conducting data analyses (basic statistics), and acting as a liaison between EPA laboratories/subcontracted laboratories and data validation providers. They are expected to have strong data management skills, be able to master data management and analysis software used in the execution of project work including MS Excel®, MS Access®, EQuIS®, EPA’s Scribe®, R, and others.  

This position will involve report writing, strong communication skills, and collaboration with other technical professionals regarding data interpretation and technical analyses. 

Your Impact

• Assist lead chemists in determining analytical and quality assurance requirements
• Write Universal Federal Policy Quality Assurance Project Plans (UFP QAPPs) for projects conducted pursuant to CERCLA, FUSRAP, DoD, and other hazardous waste, radiological or petroleum release response programs
• Serve as sample management officer during environmental field investigations
• Serve as liaison between EPA regional laboratories/subcontracted laboratories and data validation providers
• Review analytical data and write data usability reports using regional and national validation guidelines
• Perform data compilation, management, and statistical analysis under the direction of a senior geochemist
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures; and
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with a strong chemistry component in Chemistry, Geochemistry, Biogeochemistry, Chemical Engineering or equivalent.
• 3 to 5 years of relevant post-education experience (academic research may count in lieu of consulting or industry experience).
• Significant experience with UFP QAPP format and experience preparing QAPP documents. 
• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel® and Access®.
• Aptitude in analytical chemistry fundamentals, such as:
  • Classes of compounds and analytes (e.g., trace metals, PCBs, PAHs)
  • Analytical instruments, methods and sources of interferences
  • Significance of method detection and reporting limits
  • Laboratory electronic data deliverables – format for data entry
  • Treatment of validation qualifiers (including non-detect) in data evaluation
• Accustomed to managing large data sets, including metadata.
• Facility in learning new data manipulation and visualization software.
• Attentive to detail with an emphasis on quality work products in a collaborative environment of technical accountability and tolerant of repetition in comprehensive review and organization of data.
• Ability to work with analytical laboratory staff and data validators in addressing technical questions.
• Familiarity with USEPA Regional EDD format (for example: EPA Region 2 EDD, Scribe, and EQuIS).
• Previous experience with environmental site investigations at hazardous waste sites, specifically with contaminated sediments or contaminated groundwater.
• Strong mathematical / analytical / reasoning skills and demonstrable attention to detail.
• Must be able to pass an OSHA-mandated/HAZWOPER physical for work on hazardous waste sites and medically able to wear a tight-fitting respirator.
• Willing to perform field work associated with site investigations and assessments in all seasons, and willing to travel occasionally depending on project-specific requirements.
• Able to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Experience with applications in the Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint.
• Strong technical writing, analytical and communication skills.
• Availability to travel up to 15%, including the potential for overnight trips.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and industry standard health, safety, drug/alcohol and harassment policies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in chemistry or related fields is strongly preferred, as well as additional related experience.
• Experience working in a chemical analytical laboratory using gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma equipment and techniques.
• Working familiarity with designing and performing data queries using MS Access® and developing and maintaining large relational databases.
• Familiarity with Structured Query Language (SQL) [procedures, programming, R, Python].
• Experience with using graphical and statistical analysis software beyond standard MS Excel® (JMP® software and the Analysis ToolPak® add-in to MS Excel® are examples).
• Prior experience with organic and/or inorganic data validation.
• Current OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER certification and medical clearance for hazardous waste work.

WSP Benefits: 

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings. 

Compensation:

Expected Salary (all locations): $67,300 - $109,780

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

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WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

www.wsp.com

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand.  Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.