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Associate Environmental Scientist Jobs in Virginia

Agriculture / Life Science The School of Plant and Environmental Sciences (SPES) at Virginia Tech seeks a Research Associate to support the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Center ...

Environmental Energy Specialist

Norfolk, VA ยท On-site

$55K - $60K/yr

Associate's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Energy Management, Sustainability, or related field preferred. Minimum of two (2) years of experience supporting environmental ...

New

Federal Associate Data Scientist 2027

Herndon, VA ยท On-site

$60K - $61K/yr

As an Associate, you'll have access to industry-recognized certifications, digital badges, and a ... Working in an Agile, collaborative environment, partnering with other scientists, engineers ...

Showing results 41-60

Associate Environmental Scientist information

See Virginia salary details

$18

$35

$56

How much do associate environmental scientist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate environmental scientist in Virginia is $35.62, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.64 and $40.53 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an associate environmental scientist do?

An Associate Environmental Scientist assists in conducting research, collecting data, and analyzing environmental samples to assess pollution, compliance, and the impact of human activities on the environment. They typically work under the supervision of senior scientists and help prepare reports, conduct fieldwork, and support environmental projects. Their responsibilities can include monitoring air, water, and soil quality, ensuring regulatory compliance, and participating in environmental remediation efforts. The role often requires both office and outdoor work, attention to detail, and a strong foundation in environmental science principles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate environmental scientist?

To thrive as an Associate Environmental Scientist, you need a solid background in environmental science, data analysis, and report writing, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in environmental science or a related field. Familiarity with GIS software, environmental sampling equipment, and regulatory compliance systems is often required. Strong attention to detail, effective communication, and problem-solving skills help professionals excel in team-based and fieldwork settings. These competencies are crucial for accurately assessing environmental impacts, ensuring regulatory compliance, and contributing to sustainable project outcomes.

What are some common challenges faced by associate environmental scientists in their daily work?

Associate Environmental Scientists often encounter challenges such as balancing fieldwork with reporting deadlines, adapting to changing environmental regulations, and managing data from multiple sources. They may also face unexpected weather conditions or site access limitations during field investigations. Effective communication with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders is essential, as the role often involves coordinating with engineers, regulatory agencies, and community members to ensure compliance and project success.

What is the difference between Associate Environmental Scientist vs Environmental Technician?

AspectAssociate Environmental ScientistEnvironmental Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in environmental science or related field; some roles may require certificationHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require technical training
Work EnvironmentFieldwork, data analysis, report writing, often in offices and outdoor sitesPrimarily fieldwork, sampling, and data collection at environmental sites
Employer & Industry UsageEnvironmental consulting firms, government agencies, research institutionsEnvironmental service companies, government agencies, industrial sites

The Associate Environmental Scientist typically holds a bachelor's degree and performs a mix of fieldwork and data analysis, often with some certification requirements. In contrast, Environmental Technicians focus more on sampling and data collection with less emphasis on analysis or reporting. Both roles are essential in environmental projects but differ in responsibilities and qualifications.

What can I do with an associate environmental scientist degree?

An associate environmental scientist degree prepares individuals for entry-level roles in environmental assessment, monitoring, and compliance. Graduates can work in field sampling, data collection, and report preparation, often using tools like GIS and laboratory equipment. Additional certifications may enhance job prospects in environmental consulting, government agencies, or conservation organizations.

What jobs can you get with an associate environmental scientist degree?

An associate environmental scientist degree prepares individuals for entry-level roles such as environmental technician, field technician, or laboratory assistant. These positions often involve data collection, environmental monitoring, and supporting environmental assessments, sometimes requiring knowledge of GIS tools and safety protocols.

What are the most commonly searched types of Environmental Scientist jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Environmental Scientist jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Associate Environmental Scientist jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Associate Environmental Scientist job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Environmental Scientist job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,082 per year, or $35.6 per hour.

Associate Bioinformatics Data Scientist

Signature Science LLC

Charlottesville, VA โ€ข On-site

$75K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE
Position Purpose:
A bioinformatics data scientist is responsible for providing experimental design consulting and data analysis for large, high-throughput genomic experiments, with a focus on forensics and metagenomics. The bioinformatics data scientist will be responsible for designing and implementing annotated code for managing, manipulating, and analyzing large-scale genomic data, and for preparing thorough documentation and reporting.
This position is a full-time, on-site role at the Signature Science office in Charlottesville, VA.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Develop tools for management, analysis and interpretation of high-density microarray and whole genome sequencing data.
  • Manage, manipulate, and analyze data using a combination of R, python, and UNIX tools.
  • Use established domain-specific open-source software and tools to manipulate and analyze genomic data.
  • Implement and execute data processing workflows and automated analytic pipelines.
  • Apply literateโ€‘programming methods to develop reproducible workflows that produce consistent, standardized tables and figures.
  • Conduct workflow benchmarking and documentation, identifying inconsistencies and resolving data problems.
  • Prepare SOPs, document source code/workflows, and write reports to summarize computational requirements, processing status, and customized analysis results.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
  • Advanced proficiency working in a Unix/Linux environment.
  • Advanced proficiency with open-source software, tools, and databases for analyzing next-generation sequencing data (whole-genome sequencing, RNA-seq, epigenetics, microbiome, and metagenomics).
  • Proficiency working with and developing using Docker and/or Singularity container technology.
  • Proficiency using version Control software (e.g., Git or similar) to manage programming code.
  • Proficiency with Python, Perl, or another scripting language.
  • Proficiency with R, RMarkdown, and the "tidyverse" tools for data analysis.
  • Preferred: Experience with NextFlow, SnakeMake, or similar workflow/pipeline management systems.
  • Preferred: Familiarity with developing and querying relational databases.
  • Preferred: Familiarity with AWS and/or Azure cloud computing.

Education/Experience:
  • BA or BS in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, or related field
  • Experience managing and analyzing large-scale datasets produced sequencing platforms and delivering solutions for managing, visualizing, analyzing, and interpreting genomic data
  • Experience using Linux/Unix text processing tools, R, and other open-source tooling to manipulate and format data, to assess data quality, and analyze data.

Clearance:
  • This position requires that the candidate be willing and able to complete a successful background screening for a security clearance. Candidates with a current security clearance will receive preference.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
  • May serve as a bioinformatics task lead.

Working Conditions/ Equipment:
  • Ability to work in varying conditions to include: traditional office environments with sedentary extended periods required for code development and testing.