Environmental Geologist

EKI Environment & Water, Inc. (EKI) is an employee-owned environmental, water resources, and engineering consulting firm serving private- and public-sector clients throughout the United States.

About the role

This hands-on Environmental Geologist position reports to a Team Leader and supports site characterization, environmental investigation, remediation, construction, and operations projects for industrial, commercial, and municipal clients. Day-to-day work includes planning site investigations, collecting environmental samples and data, making field observations, overseeing contractors, logging soil boreholes, assessing and interpreting subsurface stratigraphy, and preparing geologic cross sections, environmental reports, and technical documents.

Responsibilities

• Prepare for and plan field work, including documentation and equipment preparation, participation in planning meetings, coordination with laboratories, and scheduling subcontractors
• Conduct field work at project sites:
  • Soil, groundwater, soil vapor, and indoor air sampling
  • Site inspections
  • Observation and documentation of third-party work
  • Construction, operation, monitoring, and maintenance of remedial systems
• Manage drillers and subcontractors
• Oversee construction activities
• Review and follow project work plans and standard procedures to ensure proper sample and data collection and handling
• Document field work by preparing detailed field notes, borehole logs, and photo logs
• Collate, tabulate, and interpret data; develop conceptual site models to identify contaminant sources and exposure routes
• Prepare environmental investigation work plans, reports, and cost estimates for hazardous waste sites and brownfields with senior staff
• Perform Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) compliance audits and implement corrective actions to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
• Implement stormwater compliance projects under the California Industrial General Permit, including pollutant source assessments, BMP identification, advanced BMP design, and preparation of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans and Exceedance Response Action reports
• Manage project schedules
• Other duties as required

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Environmental Science, or a similar degree program; Master’s degree preferred
• Two (2) years of experience as a geologist in site investigation and remediation planning and implementation
• Strong technical and mechanical skills
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Comfortable working outdoors in physically demanding environments and variable weather conditions
• Ability to calibrate, repair, troubleshoot, and maintain field equipment and instruments
• Ability to work safely around construction equipment, drilling operations, utilities, and industrial facilities
• Current valid driver’s license and clean driving record

Qualifications

• Geologist-In-Training certification preferred but not required
• OSHA HAZWOPER 40-hour training preferred but not required
• Experience with ESRI ArcGIS Pro preferred but not required
• Strong work ethic, reliability, attention to detail, and commitment to safety
• Ability to adapt to changing field conditions and priorities
• Ability to multi-task, stay organized, work independently, and collaborate with project teams
• Positive attitude and eagerness to learn
• Desire for personal and professional growth

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Work in a fast-paced environment with high-volume workload and frequent short deadlines
• Perform physically active outdoor work involving lifting, carrying, climbing, digging, tool operation, equipment setup, and material handling
• Work safely around drilling equipment, excavation activities, construction sites, industrial operations, traffic, and active remediation systems
• Frequently load, unload, transport, and organize tools, supplies, personal protective equipment, and sampling equipment
• Work in muddy, dusty, noisy, hot, cold, wet, or otherwise challenging field conditions
• Obtain medical clearance to work on hazardous waste sites
• Lift up to 35 lbs
• Stand, sit, bend, and stoop for extended periods during field work
• Work in outdoor environments with uneven terrain, variable conditions (heat, noise, chemicals), and heavy or dangerous moving equipment
• Work up to 10- to 12-hour days when field conditions require it
• Maintain OSHA HAZWOPER and other applicable certifications (e.g., ladder safety, fall arrest training)
• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses, hard hat, boots, respirator, and hearing protection
• Use hand and powered tools to install field sampling devices, conduct well and probe sampling, or remove nuts and bolts on well and probe vaults
• Assess the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of assigned work

Travel Requirements

Must be able to travel for client meetings, site visits, and field work up to 75% of the time, predominantly within the Bay Area and occasionally outside the Bay Area.

Benefits

• Excellent compensation and comprehensive benefits packages
• Career advancement opportunities
• Outstanding training opportunities
• Incentive compensation including bonuses
• Retirement benefits through an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) and 401(k) profit-sharing contributions
• Group medical, vision, and dental benefits