Environmental Compliance Scientist - Project Scientist

Earth Systems, an EnviroTrac Company
Location: Bismarck, North Dakota
Job Type: Full-Time | Onsite

We're looking for an Environmental Compliance Scientist who enjoys solving complex environmental challenges, building strong client relationships, and delivering practical, science-based solutions. Whether you're conducting field investigations, preparing environmental permits, managing projects, or helping clients navigate evolving environmental regulations, you'll play a key role in protecting natural resources while supporting responsible development.

This is an excellent opportunity for an environmental professional seeking a diverse consulting career with opportunities for technical growth, project management, and long-term career advancement.

Position Summary

The Environmental Compliance Scientist provides technical expertise in environmental permitting, regulatory compliance, site assessments, environmental investigations, and project management. This position manages multiple consulting projects while helping clients maintain compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations.

Success in this role requires strong technical skills, sound judgment, effective communication, and the ability to manage projects from proposal through completion while delivering exceptional client service.

Key Responsibilities

Environmental Compliance & Permitting

• Prepare and submit environmental permit applications, regulatory reports, and technical documentation.
• Assist clients in maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations.
• Prepare documentation including:
  • Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans
  • Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs)
  • NPDES permit applications and Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs)
  • Air emissions inventories
  • Tier II and Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reports
  • Hazardous and non-hazardous waste reports
• Interpret and apply environmental regulations including:
  • Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
  • Clean Air Act (CAA)
  • Clean Water Act (CWA)
  • Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
  • Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
  • North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) regulations and permitting requirements
• Coordinate with regulatory agencies during permitting, inspections, and compliance activities.
• Monitor regulatory changes and provide clients with practical compliance guidance.

Environmental Consulting & Field Services

• Conduct environmental site assessments, inspections, compliance audits, and field investigations.
• Perform soil, groundwater, surface water, stormwater, wastewater, and sediment sampling.
• Conduct or support Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs).
• Assist with spill response, remediation projects, and corrective action programs.
• Evaluate environmental risks and develop practical recommendations for compliance and remediation.
• Coordinate laboratory services and interpret analytical results.
• Prepare technical reports, work plans, environmental assessments, and regulatory documentation.

Project Management

• Manage multiple environmental consulting projects from proposal through project completion.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, and cost estimates.
• Monitor project progress, budgets, and billable utilization to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Coordinate field staff, subcontractors, laboratories, and project resources.
• Maintain accurate project documentation and client communications.
• Deliver high-quality technical work products that meet client expectations and company standards.

Client Service

• Develop and maintain strong client relationships through responsive communication and exceptional service.
• Serve as a trusted technical resource for clients and regulatory agencies.
• Support proposal preparation, project planning, and cost estimates.
• Identify opportunities to expand client services and contribute to business development efforts.
• Participate in client meetings, presentations, conferences, and networking opportunities.
• Represent Earth Systems with professionalism, integrity, and technical excellence.

Team Collaboration

• Collaborate with engineers, geologists, scientists, and project managers on multidisciplinary projects.
• Mentor junior staff and provide technical guidance.
• Promote a culture of safety, quality, continuous improvement, and environmental stewardship.
• Participate in internal training and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Geology, Biology, Natural Resources, Sustainability, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 4-6years of experience in environmental consulting, permitting, regulatory compliance, or environmental project management.
• Working knowledge of EPA and North Dakota environmental regulations.
• Experience preparing environmental permits, regulatory reports, and technical documentation.
• Strong technical writing, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record and the ability to travel to project sites.

Preferred

• Experience preparing SPCC Plans, SWPPPs, and NPDES permits.
• Experience conducting Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments.
• Knowledge of RCRA, CAA, CWA, EPCRA, TSCA, and hazardous waste regulations.
• Environmental sampling and field investigation experience.
• OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER certification (or ability to obtain).
• GIS experience.
• Professional certifications such as CHMM, REM, Professional Engineer (PE) or an EIT that will be able to obtain their PE within a year)) or Professional Geologist (PG).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in office, laboratory, industrial, and outdoor field environments.
• Ability to walk uneven terrain, construction sites, agricultural properties, and industrial facilities.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds of field equipment.
• Ability to travel throughout North Dakota and surrounding states, including occasional overnight travel.
• Ability to work safely in varying weather conditions and around active industrial operations.

What You'll Love About Working Here

• Diverse environmental consulting projects across multiple industries.
• Opportunities to balance fieldwork with office-based technical consulting.
• Professional development, continuing education, and certification support.
• A collaborative team of scientists, engineers, geologists, and environmental professionals.
• Career advancement opportunities within a growing, multi-state environmental consulting organization.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact by helping clients solve complex environmental challenges and protect natural resources.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Professional Development and Continuing Education
• Company-Paid Training and Professional Certifications
• Career Advancement Opportunities
• Collaborative and Team-Oriented Work Environment

Salary Range

Salary Range:$80,000 to $105,000 annually, based on education, experience, certifications, technical expertise, and project management responsibilities.

Company Alignment

Earth Systems is an EnviroTrac Company.

Affiliated Companies: Earth Systems • Earth Systems Response & Restoration • Bio-Tech Consulting • Envirotactics • Spangler Environmental • EnviroTrac

Together, we provide environmental consulting, remediation, and compliance services across multiple states, supporting commercial, industrial, municipal, energy, and natural resource clients.