How to hire an environmental geologist

How to hire an environmental geologist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step environmental geologist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an environmental geologist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new environmental geologist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an environmental geologist, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An environmental geologist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, environmental geologists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents environmental geologist salaries for various positions.

   Type of Environmental Geologist	Description	Hourly rate
   Environmental Geologist	Environmental scientists and specialists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment and human health. They may clean up polluted areas, advise policymakers, or work with industry to reduce waste.	$24-40
   Field Scientist	The duties of a field scientist depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In general, their responsibilities typically include conducting studies and scientific research, visiting various sites to observe and gather samples, performing laboratory analyses and experiments, maintaining records of all operations, and coming up with conclusions from the research findings... Show more	$25-53
   Geologist	A Geologist studies the composition, structure, and history of the earth's crust. They may work for private industries, the federal government, colleges and universities, or museums.	$30-94

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Surface Water
   • OSHA
   • Remediation Projects
   • Oil Gas
   • Technical Reports
   • Regulatory Agencies
   • Sample Collection
   • Environmental Regulations
   • Cost Estimates
   • Geotechnical
   • GINT
   • Business Development
   • Environmental Site Assessments
   • Field Supervision

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead LDEQ-required underground storage tank (UST) assessments and remediation.
   • Perform or manage contracted asbestos evaluations including: site assessment reports and management /abatement plan specification preparation.
   • Coordinate and oversee drilling operations, and log and sample borings to ASTM standards.
   • Provide technical consultation in handling environmental hazards using GIS technologies as a risk assessment and decision making tool.
   • Develop GIS base new methods in the use of aerial photos and field data for rock mass classification and geomorphic features.
   • Assist with Geotechnical investigations including percolation testing and compaction testing using the nuke gauge.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your environmental geologist job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An environmental geologist salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, environmental geologists' average salary in alabama is 52% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level environmental geologists earn 40% less than senior-level environmental geologists.
   • Certifications. An environmental geologist with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an environmental geologist's salary.

   Average environmental geologist salary

   $64,927yearly

   $31.21 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level environmental geologist salary

   $50,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 24, 2026

4. Writing an environmental geologist job description

   A job description for an environmental geologist role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's an environmental geologist job description:

   Environmental geologist job description example

   **Job Summary**
   
   **At AECOM, we're delivering a better world.**
   
   We believe infrastructure creates opportunity for everyone. Whether it's improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive.
   
   Our clients trust us to bring together the best people, ideas, technical expertise and digital solutions to our work in transportation, buildings, water, the environment and new energy. We're one global team - over 50,000 strong - driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world.
   
   **AECOM** is actively seeking an **Entry-Level Environmental Geologist** to be based in our Southfield, MI office. This position will support our Remediation group within our Environment business line.
   
   _This position is expected to begin in September/October 2022._
   
   **Job Overview:**
   
   The Entry-Level Environmental Scientist/Geologist will support soil and groundwater investigations and remediation projects. The ideal candidate will be willing and able to learn new skills and methods on challenging field and office assignments in a collaborative team environment.
   
   Candidate will gain experience in their discipline through learning on the job and participate in development opportunities enabling professional growth and development. Candidate will complete field tasks, including site investigations, drilling oversight, soil and groundwater sample collection, remediation system data collection, and related work. The candidate will also provide office support for data management, report preparation, and maintain the required AECOM-related documentation and forms.
   
   Job responsibilities include, but may not be limited to:
   
   + Conducting environmental field work, including soil logging, groundwater sampling, fluid level gauging and oversight of field surveys, drilling, well installation, development operations and utility clearance for intrusive operations.
   
   + Field document preparation, field data collection, processing and interpretation.
   
   + Supporting office tasks, including data analysis and report preparation.
   
   **Minimum Requirements**
   
   + Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science, Geology, Soil Science, or related field
   
   + Due to the nature of work, US Citizenship is required for this position
   
   + Valid U.S. Driver's License
   
   **Preferred Qualifications**
   
   + Relevant work experience, overseeing drilling operations a plus
   
   + Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
   
   + Excellent oral and written communication skills.
   
   + 40-Hour HAZWOPER Training
   
   **Additional Information:**
   
   + Relocation is not available for this position.
   
   + Travel is required for this position
   
   + Qualified applicants who are offered a position must pass a pre-employment substance abuse test and Motor Vehicle Record Screening.
   
   **What We Offer**
   
   We will give you the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you're working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed. You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion - a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients. We will encourage you to grow and develop your career with us through our technical and professional development programs and diverse career opportunities. We believe in leadership at all levels. No matter where you sit in the organization you can make a lasting impact on the projects you work on, the teams and committees you join and our business. We offer competitive pay and benefits, well-being programs to support you and your family, and the development resources you need to advance your career. When you join us, you will connect and collaborate with a global network of experts - planners, designers, engineers, scientists, consultants, program and construction managers - leading the change toward a more sustainable and equitable future. Join us and let's get started. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person's potential, and we'll help you reach yours.
   
   **Job Category** Sciences
   
   **Business Line** Environment
   
   **Business Group** Design and Consulting Services Group (DCS)
   
   **Stategic Business Unit** West
   
   **Country** United States of America
   
   **Position Status** Full Time
   
   **Requisition/Vacancy No.** 273706BR
   
   **Virtual:** No
   
   Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find environmental geologists for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your environmental geologist job on Zippia to find and recruit environmental geologist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting environmental geologists requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new environmental geologist

   Once you've selected the best environmental geologist candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new environmental geologist. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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