How to hire an environmental scientist lead

How to hire an environmental scientist lead, step by step

Here's a step-by-step environmental scientist lead 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 scientist lead job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new environmental scientist lead
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an environmental scientist lead, 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

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   Hiring the perfect environmental scientist lead also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   Here's a comparison of environmental scientist lead salaries for various roles:

   Type of Environmental Scientist Lead	Description	Hourly rate
   Environmental Scientist Lead	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.	$30-72
   Scientist	A scientist is responsible for researching and analyzing the nature and complexities of the physical world to identify discoveries that would improve people's lives and ignite scientific knowledge for society. Scientists' duties differ in their different areas of expertise, but all of them must have a broad comprehension of scientific disciplines and methods to support their experiments and investigations... Show more	$32-67
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Water Quality
   • Technical Support
   • Storm Water
   • GIS
   • Remote Sensing
   • EPA
   • Prototype
   • Water ACT
   • GPS
   • Cost Analysis
   • Army Corps

   Responsibilities:

   • Develop and manage company EHS compliance processes in accordance with current and upcoming regulatory mandates.
   • Conduct weekly NPDES and rain event inspections.
   • Generate technical documents, reports, and engineer plans for identifying and locating structures in a GIS platform.
   • Advise and support GIS technicians on actual field data to represent electronic data accurately.
   • Perform a variety of regular cleaning activities to effectively and efficiently maintain an acceptable level of cleanliness and improve aesthetic environment.
   • Perform environmental and geotechnical exploratory boring field logging and reporting.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, environmental scientist leads' average salary in hawaii is 56% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level environmental scientist leads earn 58% less than senior-level environmental scientist leads.
   • Certifications. An environmental scientist lead 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 scientist lead's salary.

   Average environmental scientist lead salary

   $98,128yearly

   $47.18 hourly rate

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   Entry-level environmental scientist lead salary

   $63,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing an environmental scientist lead job description

   A job description for an environmental scientist lead 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 scientist lead job description:

   Environmental scientist lead job description example

   Just as aluminium is the element of possibility, so too, are our current and future employees. When you join Alcoa, you have the opportunity to help define what it means to be a sustainable aluminium company. Our 135-year legacy gives you the systems and tools to thrive. We invented the industry and today we are redefining what it means to be a sustainable aluminium company from mines to metal. We are open, honest, accountable and do what we say we'll do. We relentlessly pursue outstanding and sustainable results and creatively transform ideas into value. We treat all people with dignity and provide a diverse, inclusive work culture. We work safely, promote wellness, and protect the environment. Come grow your career, collaborate on a global scale and deliver materials essential to the world. Learn more about the endless career possibilities for you at Alcoa!
   About the job
   
   We are excited to be adding this new Environmental Rehabilitation Lead role to Alcoa's Mining Operations in Western Australia (WA)!
   
   Reporting to the Environmental Manager, you will be responsible for;
   Ensuring Alcoa meet internal standards and regulatory conditions and commitments for forest rehabilitation,Leading a team of professionals to develop operational environmental rehabilitation plans from clearing to closure in accordance with Alcoa's Forest to Forest approach to mining,Working closely with the mine planning, operational, research, plant production and corporate teams to ensure high rehabilitation standards are upheld throughout the life of mine,Leading the continual improvement of rehabilitation practices to continue to strive for industry best practice.
   
   The key objectives of this role are to ensure that the rehabilitation targets (e.g., hectares/year rehabilitation, and species richness) are met or exceeded.
   
   Working Monday to Friday each week, you will be primarily based at the WA Mining Hub in Pinjarra, centrally located to our two bauxite mines, Huntly and Willowdale.
   
   About you
   To play a part in our ongoing success we are seeking someone with;
   Minimum Bachelor Degree qualifications in a relevant field,Considerable experience working in a similar role and environment,Ability to lead, engage and work with a small team of environmental professionals and contractors, ensuring high standards are upheld,Strong engagement, communication and influencing skills, across all levels of the business,An awareness and sensitivity to the risks, and concerns from the community, external stakeholders, and government departments.
   
   Why Alcoa?
   Our values - act with integrity, operate with excellence, care for people, lead with courage - are at the foundation of everything we do.
   
   At Alcoa we strive to create an inclusive workplace where employees can bring their whole selves to work regardless of their background. We know it starts and finishes with you, which is why our value ‘care for people' is so important to us. It ensures not only your physical safety but also provides an inclusive and welcoming workplace for people from all walks of life, encouraging diversity of thought from each and every person.
   
   We embrace change, new ideas and promote a culture of respect and equal opportunity. Our employment programs are underpinned by diversity and equality and continue to be recognised and rewarded. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women and LGBTIQ+ job seekers.
   
   As an Alcoa employee, you will embark on growth opportunities and can truly make a difference being part of an organisation that respects and considers flexibility whilst empowering you with stimulating and challenging work.
   
   Flexible work arrangements may be considered, please let us know when you apply if this is something you are seeking.
   
   What's on offer?
   Excellent remuneration package Car allowance Benefits allowance Performance related bonus (variable) Industry leading superannuation Employee Assistance ProgramNovated car lease scheme Industry leading parental leave scheme Paid volunteer time Employee groups including the Social Club, Alcoa Women's Network, EAGLE (Employees at Alcoa for Gay, Lesbian, bisexual and transgender Equality) and AWARE (Alcoans Working Actively for Racial-ethnic Equality)
   
   Our Locations
   Alcoa's Australian operations represent one of the world's largest integrated bauxite mining, alumina refining and aluminium smelting systems and add value to Australia's local, state and national economies at every stage. Our Australian operations support approximately 4,370 direct jobs including multiple entry talent pathways/programs, predominantly in regional Western Australia.
   
   Supported by our head office in Booragoon and the Bindjareb Regional office in Pinjarra, our operations include: our world-class Technology Development Centre of Excellence (COE), two bauxite mines in Western Australia (Huntly and Willowdale); three alumina refineries in Western Australia (Kwinana, Pinjarra and Wagerup); one aluminium smelter in Victoria (Portland); two dedicated port facilities in Western Australia (Kwinana and Bunbury); and two Alcoa Farmlands sites in Western Australia (Pinjarra and Wagerup).
   
   Applications close Tuesday 25th October 2022
   
   Additional information
   Interviews may progress prior to the closing date, although all applications will be considered.You will only be contacted if you are shortlisted for an interview, this process can take up to four weeks from the closing date.This position is available only to permanent Australian residents or applicants who hold the relevant Visa with authority to work in Australia. Please ensure this information is clearly stated on your application.
   
   Please note that no agency applications will be accepted at this time.
   
   #LI-LW1

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5. Post your job

   To find environmental scientist leads for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any environmental scientist leads they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level environmental scientist leads with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with environmental scientist lead candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   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 scientist lead

   Once you've selected the best environmental scientist lead 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.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

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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