The Environmental Scientist supports all aspects of the environmental and planning programs for Kuna Engineering and its clients throughout Alaska. The position will support clients in planning and executing environmental projects such as work plan development, studies, investigations, permitting, reporting, field work and regulatory compliance. Support may also include managing field programs and team logistics. The position is expected to support Kuna’s community and regional planning business line, to include comprehensive plans, economic development plans, hazard mitigation plans, transportation plans, energy plans, and other types of plans that support infrastructure development at the community, regional, and state level. The Environmental Scientist shall work with the Environmental Department Manager to engage in business development and proposal writing as assigned and engage in Kuna’s seller-doer business development methodology. As such, the position is expected to provide business leads and development strategies to the position’s hierarchy. The position’s target utilization is 75% over the course of Kuna’s fiscal year.

• Technical planning and execution of environmental and community/regional planning projects, including document authoring and completion.
• Knowledge of environmental regulations and their application to various clients and environmental media.
• Leadership of field sampling and data collection projects including leadership of other Kuna employees and/or subcontractor(s).
• Management of health and safety for field programs as assigned.
• Periodic client interaction with emphasis on permitting and environmental programs.
• Provide regulatory support and coordination with local, state, and federal environmental agencies on environmental concerns.
• Assistance and provide technical expertise for other environmental compliance or permitting projects/programs.
• Research and explain regulations, policies, or procedures.

• Degree in environmental sciences, engineering, chemistry, natural resource management, or related field. Master’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum five (5) years of directly related experience.
• Ability to adapt to and maintain a safety conscious work environment.
• Ability to demonstrate, conduct, and conform to a set of values and accepted standards, such as honesty, integrity, reliability, and accountability.
• Ability to pay attention to the details of a project or task and perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• High degree of organizational skills and ability to follow systematic methods for performing each task.
• Ability to effectively work within a team environment to accomplish work activities, exhibiting a professional demeanor toward co-workers and customers.
• Ability to communicate professionally, clearly, and concisely with others using both the spoken and written word, as well as the ability to actively listen and comprehend communication from others.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Weather: Indoors/outdoors

Noise level: The noise level in the work environment is usually that of a standard office.

Description of environment: Office building with standard office environment. Will also be on project sites both inside and outside.

Physical requirements: Employee is required to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, use hands/fingers to handle or feel, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk/hear, see, taste/smell, and carry weight/lift.

Travel: Periodic (as projects require)

Travel may require an employee or contractor to pass a TSA security checkpoint. If the employee or contractor does not have valid identification, they will not be able to travel until valid identification is obtained and verified. For this reason all employees and contractors must have valid identification when traveling to and from the work site destination, for a list of TSA approved valid identification visit https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification . 

Competencies

• Professional, highly self-motivated, passionate, energetic, creative, and strategic thinker.
• Dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external clients.
• Mines first-hand client information, using it to determine how to best maximize the opportunity for Kuna and its clients.
• Always acts with customers in mind, knows how to establish and maintain effective relationships with customers/prospects and gains their trust and respect.