Geoscience Manager Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Traveling Project GeologistJob Description

The Traveling Project Geologist prepares, analyzes, and delivers clear, technically precise scientific reports based on field and laboratory data, while leading and executing complex field and office assignments for environmental and remediation projects. This role performs extensive field-based geoscience tasks, manages moderate to complex scopes of work from initiation through completion, and serves as a technical lead within their area of expertise. The position requires 100% travel to project sites, primarily in Pennsylvania and the Northeast region, with occasional assignments in the Midwest, and includes periods at home to complete reporting between projects.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, analyze, and deliver clear, technically precise scientific reports based on field and laboratory data collected within defined project scopes.
• Lead and take ownership of complex field and office assignments, including site investigations, remedial action projects, and environmental sampling programs.
• Perform field-based geoscience and remediation tasks such as monitoring well installation, soil and rock characterization, soil sampling, groundwater sampling, and remediation system oversight and monitoring.
• Select and apply appropriate methods and procedures on both routine tasks and new assignments within your areas of technical expertise.
• Serve as a technical lead within your discipline, resolving project challenges with support from senior staff as appropriate.
• Apply sound technical judgment to solve problems of varying complexity, including data analysis, evaluation of remedial alternatives, and selection of appropriate methodologies.
• Plan, manage, and execute moderate to complex field scopes of work and remediation projects from initiation through completion.
• Research and evaluate emerging remediation technologies and methodologies for potential application to project work.
• Coordinate field operations and data collection activities to meet established schedules and budgets.
• Support project quality assurance and quality control processes, including audits, data validation, and implementation of corrective actions to ensure data quality and defensibility.
• Ensure project activities comply with applicable technical specifications, regulatory requirements, and standard operating procedures.
• Oversee environmental health and safety (EHS) program compliance on medium- to high-risk projects, providing technical safety input and promoting a strong safety culture across all field activities.
• Coordinate directly with the EHS department when project-specific safety planning requires additional guidance or when site conditions fall outside the established scope of work.
• Manage field staff adherence to all project- and site-specific EHS requirements, ensuring alignment with the broader EHS program.
• Use electronic data collection tools, such as GPS and GIS, as applicable to support accurate field documentation and reporting.
• Conduct field investigations and document soil and rock descriptions, stratigraphic information, and other geologic observations in a clear and defensible manner.
• Perform project management tasks related to field execution, including planning, scheduling, and coordination of resources.
• Prepare concise and technically sound written deliverables, including reports and supporting documentation, during periods in the field and while working from home between projects.

Essential Skills

• Proven ability to prepare, analyze, and deliver clear, technically precise scientific reports based on field and laboratory data.
• Strong experience performing field-based geoscience tasks, including monitoring well installation, soil and rock characterization, soil sampling, and groundwater sampling.
• Demonstrated capability to oversee drilling of soil and rock borings and to supervise installation of monitoring wells, including logging of geologic and stratigraphic information.
• Ability to select and apply appropriate methods and procedures for both routine and complex assignments within areas of technical expertise.
• Experience serving as a technical lead on projects, resolving field and technical challenges with sound judgment.
• Competence in data analysis, evaluation of remedial alternatives, and selection of suitable remediation methodologies.
• Experience coordinating field operations and data collection activities within established schedules and budgets.
• Knowledge and practical application of quality assurance and quality control principles, including audits, data validation, and corrective actions.
• Strong understanding of environmental health and safety (EHS) and health and safety practices, with experience ensuring compliance on medium- to high-risk projects.
• Ability to manage field staff adherence to project- and site-specific EHS requirements and to promote a strong safety culture.
• Effective project management skills related to planning, performing, and leading field activities and assisting in scoping projects.
• Strong written communication skills for report writing and documentation.
• Willingness and ability to travel 100% of the time to project sites, primarily in Pennsylvania and the Northeast region with occasional travel to the Midwest.
• Bachelor's degree in Geology, Geoscience, or a related field.
• At least 6 years of related experience in geology, geoscience, or environmental science.
• At least 3 years of experience planning, performing, and leading field activities and assisting in scoping projects.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with electronic data collection tools, including GPS and GIS.
• Background in environmental science or related environmental disciplines.
• Familiarity with remediation system oversight and monitoring.
• Experience with field investigations and documentation of soil and rock descriptions.
• Knowledge of quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) processes in environmental and geoscience projects.
• Strong understanding of environmental health and safety (EHS) and health and safety regulations and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to research and evaluate emerging remediation technologies and methodologies.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with EHS departments and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects and shifting field assignments.
• Capability to work independently in the field while maintaining clear communication with project teams.

Work Environment

This role is entirely field-focused and requires 100% travel from project to project. Most assignments occur in Pennsylvania and across the Northeast region, with occasional travel to the Midwest. You will work primarily at active project sites, conducting field investigations, overseeing drilling and monitoring well installations, collecting soil and groundwater samples, and monitoring remediation systems. The position involves moving frequently between projects, with some downtime in between when you return home to complete reporting and documentation. You will operate in a variety of outdoor environments and site conditions, following established environmental health and safety (EHS) protocols and project-specific safety plans. The work environment is fast-paced and project-driven, emphasizing collaboration, technical excellence, and a strong safety culture.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of West Chester, PA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.46 - $45.67/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 5, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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