Geochemistry Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

This Opportunity

WSP's Federal Environment Team is currently initiating a search for a Senior Chemist/Data Validator with the potential to work out of Redmond, WA; Seattle, WA; or Tacoma, WA to support management of analytical laboratory subcontractors and environmental chemistry data quality for Federal clients at contaminated-site projects. Be involved in projects with our Federal Environmental Team and be a key driver in a growing organization that meets our client's objectives and solves their challenges.

The successful candidate will support environmental analytical chemistry programs for complex contaminated-site investigations, with primary responsibilities focused on coordinating analytical laboratory subcontractors, reviewing laboratory deliverables, performing or supporting data validation, evaluating QA/QC results, and preparing defensible chemistry data for technical reports and client decision-making.

Your Impact

• Support contaminated-site projects by developing and reviewing UFP-QAPPs, coordinating with analytical laboratories, tracking sample delivery and data milestones, reviewing laboratory case narratives and electronic data deliverables, evaluating method performance and QA/QC results, and documenting data usability.

• Apply knowledge of analytical chemistry, environmental sampling design, laboratory methods, data validation principles, data quality objectives, UFP-QAPP requirements, laboratory QA/QC requirements, and interpretation of organic and inorganic chemistry data for soil, sediment, groundwater, surface water, and biota.

• Demonstrate experience with analytical methods for one or more contaminant groups, such as trace metals, mercury/methylmercury, PCBs, PAHs, pesticides, dioxins/furans, PFAS, VOCs, SVOCs, conventional parameters, or other site-specific contaminants of concern.

• Manage analytical laboratory subcontractors; coordinate sample bottle orders, chains of custody, shipping, and project-specific analytical requirements; track laboratory schedules and deliverables; review laboratory data packages; perform or coordinate data validation; manage chemistry datasets; and prepare concise data quality summaries for UFP-QAPPs, technical reports, and client deliverables.

• Work closely with project managers, field teams, laboratories, data managers, and senior chemists to ensure UFP-QAPPs, analytical data packages, and chemistry data deliverables are complete, technically defensible, and delivered on schedule.

• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, subcontractor coordination, resources, and conduct, and adhere to WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.

• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, geochemistry, or equivalent. 

• 5-7 years of relevant experience supporting environmental analytical chemistry programs, laboratory coordination, data validation, chemistry data management, and development or review of UFP-QAPPs.

• Ability to support field teams by coordinating laboratory requirements, sample containers, preservation, holding times, chains of custody, and analytical schedules.

• Ability to manage multiple laboratory deliverables, subcontractor schedules, and project deadlines in a fast-paced consulting environment.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and related tools for organizing, reviewing, validating, and summarizing analytical chemistry datasets.

• Experience reviewing laboratory case narratives, data validation packages, electronic data deliverables, and all applicable QA/QC indicators to support defensible interpretation of analytical results.

• Strong technical writing, data interpretation, and communication skills, including the ability to clearly document data validation findings, data qualifiers, data usability, and analytical uncertainty for technical and non-technical audiences.

• Ability to be an active participant and productive member of the team and to work well with other team members.

• Detail-oriented, organized, and accountable for producing high-quality chemistry data deliverables in coordination with laboratories and project teams.

• Availability to travel periodically to support project needs, including coordination with field teams and laboratories.

• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and industry standard health, safety, drug/alcohol and harassment policies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's (MS) degree in chemistry, analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, geochemistry, or a related field.

• 40-hour OSHA HAZWOPER certification and ability to pass an OSHA-mandated/HAZWOPER medical physical for work on hazardous waste sites and medically able to wear a tight-fitting respirator.

• Experience managing analytical laboratory subcontractors, including scope development, schedule coordination, deliverable tracking, invoice review support, and resolution of data quality issues.

• Experience in environmental forensics, source identification, or statistical evaluation of chemical datasets is a plus.

• Experience performing EPA-style data reviewing laboratory analytical packages or validation or third-party review of summaries for environmental laboratory investigations, including assessment of data usability and preparation of data quality summaries for technical reports.

• Experience with laboratory information management systems, electronic data deliverables, or chemistry database workflows.

WSP Benefits:

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on 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): $86,900 - $122,700

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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