Published: Feb 18, 2025 – The Environmental Scientist conducts wildlife surveys, habitat evaluations, and special-status species assessments while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. This position prepares environmental documents, including Biological Assessments and NEPA/CEQA reports, and assists with permit processing and regulatory coordination. The scientist also manages project execution by tracking budgets, coordinating team activities, and supporting mitigation planning.

An Introduction to Professional Skills and Functions for Environmental Scientist with a Cover Letter
1. Essential Functions for Environmental Scientist Cover Letter
- Lead complex field investigations including soil sampling, groundwater sampling, and soil vapor assessment
- Collate, interpret, and present laboratory analytical data in technical reports
- Prepare contaminated site investigation reports (PSI, SAQP, DSI, RAP, SRV, and SMP) for clients following established guidelines and standards
- Supervise sub-contractors undertaking high-risk activities, such as drilling and excavation programs
- Direct and guide site remediation activities following an established RAP
- Interact with contaminated site auditors and regulatory authorities
- Develop comprehensive, competitive, and persuasive proposals
- Project management activities including resourcing, scheduling, and budget control
- Contribute to the professional and technical development of more junior staff
- Participate in client meetings and contribute to technical solutions, options, and initiatives to meet client’s needs
Skills: Field Investigations, Data Interpretation, Technical Report Writing, Contractor Supervision, Site Remediation, Regulatory Compliance, Proposal Development, Project Management
2. Operational Overview for Environmental Scientist Cover Letter
- Leading biophysical baseline field studies appropriate with their level of experience
- Take responsibility for data interpretation and analysis
- Technical report writing including technical proposals, oil and gas proposals, and environmental impact statements
- Regulatory submissions and engagement
- Responsible for managing all phases of projects from the development of proposals, scopes, work plans, and budgets to overseeing teams and deliverables
- Advises and liaises with clients on a broad range of technical issues related to environmental works at hand
- Provide technical direction and positive mentoring to junior staff
- Provide technical review at a level consistent with the candidate’s level of experience
- Contributes to the development of internal protocols and procedures
- Implement corporate and client safety programs.
Skills: Field Studies, Data Analysis, Technical Report Writing, Regulatory Compliance, Project Management, Client Consultation, Mentoring & Leadership, Safety Program Implementation
3. Core Competence for Environmental Scientist Cover Letter
- Conduct and oversee environmental investigations and assessments following state and federal regulatory guidelines and as directed by Project Management staff.
- Prepare technical evaluations of investigated sites using compliance activities using applicable Federal, State, and local guidelines.
- Adhere to schedule and financial objectives, controlling time and expenditures to achieve project goals.
- Work with environmental technicians and other technical staff in data collection, site investigation, and evaluation of data collected in support of environmental restoration and project objectives.
- Provide scientific and technical guidance, support, coordination, and oversight to project staff preparing written project documentation.
- Review and document the processes necessary to obtain environmental permits, licenses, and other requirements necessary to achieve environmental restoration project objectives.
- Review and provide documentation of technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations to ensure proposals meet all appropriate requirements.
- Prepare charts or graphs from data samples, providing summary information on the environmental relevance of the data.
- Determine data collection methods to be employed in site surveys and investigations.
- Work in a constant state of alertness and a safe manner.
Skills: Environmental Investigations, Regulatory Compliance, Project Scheduling & Budgeting, Data Collection & Analysis, Technical Reporting, Permitting & Licensing, Environmental Restoration, Safety Compliance
4. Operational Duties for Environmental Scientist Cover Letter
- Initiate and drive scientific data strategies to support global registrations of novel traits in product portfolio
- Develop methodology and execute experiments in the controlled environment to meet regulatory and stewardship requirements for commercial seed and trait pipeline products
- Manage, conduct, and support controlled environment-based studies to assess the environmental risk assessment conducted for biotech plants
- Execute detailed and specific study process plans
- Communicate effectively research findings to S&T Safety Center scientist, Regulatory Affairs Seeds and Traits Product managers, Regulatory Leadership, and Global Regulatory Affairs managers
- Be a primary author for scientific reports
- Lead and prepare external peer-reviewed publications to support global data strategy and transparency initiative
- Initiate, conduct, monitor, and coordinate quality check activities
- Coordinate data analysis, interpret results, and write reports
- Commit to ISO quality processes and Good Laboratory Practices
Skills: Scientific Data Strategy, Experimental Design, Environmental Risk Assessment, Regulatory Compliance, Technical Reporting, Peer-Reviewed Publication, Data Analysis & Interpretation, Quality Assurance
5. Success Indicators for Environmental Scientist Cover Letter
- General wildlife surveys and habitat evaluations.
- Special-status wildlife surveys and protocol-level surveys.
- Take responsibility for mitigation and monitoring planning.
- Prepare a variety of environmental compliance documents such as Biological Study Reports, Biological Assessments, Preliminary Environmental Studies, and Natural Environment Study reports for Caltrans
- Assist with NEPA/CEQA documentation.
- Team with project engineers, site designers, and other specialists engaged in private and public projects.
- Coordinate or assist in the coordination of ENPLAN team member actions.
- Assist with the processing of permit and entitlement approvals.
- Interface with regulatory agencies and client representatives on all phases of contract performance.
- Assist with the formulation of work programs, budgets, and proposals.
- Manage project execution including budget tracking.
Skills: Wildlife Surveys, Habitat Evaluation, Mitigation Planning, Environmental Compliance, NEPA/CEQA Documentation, Permit Processing, Regulatory Coordination, Project Management
6. Primary Focus for Environmental Scientist Cover Letter
- Review letters from Evaluators and interact with authors regarding issues that may need correction/modification within the letters.
- Sign off on environmental issues in correspondence.
- Assist in training staff and providing technical and professional assistance
- Assist Evaluators on project review by providing examples of similar projects.
- Assist with the formulation of applicable comments, providing appropriate resources, and encouragement.
- Assist in compliance/enforcement activities
- Provide information on historic site conditions, evaluate the site if needed, and provide information regarding a previous evaluation or permitting for a particular project.
- Prepare technical information for public outreach materials.
- Conduct public outreach and attend meetings with partner agencies and other stakeholders.
- Review, check, and interpret technical reports prepared by others, including technical reports about springs, wells, and surface waters.
- Collect data in the field, conduct field investigations, compliance inspections, and desktop assessments of activities related to water rights registrations.
Skills: Environmental Review, Technical Writing, Staff Training, Compliance & Enforcement, Historical Site Evaluation, Public Outreach, Field Investigations, Water Rights Assessment
7. Key Strengths for Environmental Scientist Cover Letter
- Plan, conduct, and publish field fate and exposure studies on soil/aquatic dissipation, field/landscape scale volatility, surface water monitoring, and best management practice (BMP) effectiveness
- Utilize measured data to better understand the predictive nature of environmental models at multiple scales and apply these models in locations where little to no measured data are available
- Collaborate with other regional/global Environmental Safety experts and regional/global Product Safety, Regulatory, and Business personnel.
- Publish/present research and/or represent Syngenta via professional organizations/workshops and industry-wide task forces
- Interact with regulatory authorities, as well as other opportunities for professional development and/or career advancement via technical and leadership pathways
- Prepare and assist preparation of written documents, including contractor specifications, sampling and analysis plans, data summary reports, engineering assessments, letters, and opinion papers.
- Review and interactively interpret data patterns and trends, compare to regulatory standards
- Assist in the development of recommendations for actions based on regulatory constraints.
- Be in the field approximately 30% of the time working at commercial and industrial sites and 70% in the office preparing reports and remedial documents
- Work under the direction of a Project Manager/LSRP to design and implement remedial activities
- Scoping of projects with a range of complexity and scale, to uniquely address client needs
- Project management, including budget, scope, time, stakeholder communication, and client relationships
- Environmental field works including a sampling of soil, groundwater, soil vapor, ambient air, and landfill gas
Skills: Field Studies, Environmental Modeling, Regulatory Compliance, Technical Writing, Data Analysis, Stakeholder Collaboration, Project Management, Soil & Water Sampling
8. Expertise Areas for Environmental Scientist Cover Letter
- Conduct research and site walkovers for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments
- Supervise drilling, test pitting, and/or other sampling methods (e.g., Phase II Environmental Site Assessments) at a variety of public and private-sector sites
- Coordinate and supervise contractors in underground tank removal and/or excavation of contaminated soil
- Sampling of soil, groundwater, and other media by various methods, and liaison with external analytical laboratories
- Monitor, maintain, and operate in situ remediation systems
- Tabulate and interpret laboratory analytical results and hydrogeologic information
- Assist in report/proposal preparation
- Coordinate and implement field activities including the installation of soil borings, overburden and bedrock monitoring wells, and the collection of soil, groundwater, and vapor intrusion investigation samples
- Interpret data and lab results and prepare technical reports including NJDEP PAR, SIR, RIR, RAW, RAR, and soil and groundwater permit applications and due diligence-related documents
- Communicate with clients and subcontractors.
- Contractor management and taking responsibility for safe, compliant, and quality fieldwork programs
- Data analysis and technical report writing with support from Senior and Principal staff, including technical specialists and a NSW EPA Accredited Site Auditor
Skills: Environmental Site Assessment, Soil & Groundwater Sampling, Remediation System Operation, Data Analysis, Contractor Management, Regulatory Compliance, Technical Report Writing, Field Investigation
9. Performance Expectations for Environmental Scientist Cover Letter
- Keep informed of developments in local and national recycling and waste disposal regulations and technologies, promote best practices
- Provide technical support to government agencies, the public, and Industry.
- Review and approve local government agency applications for recycling market development zone designations.
- Evaluate business purchases and expense claims for recycling market development zone tax credits.
- Permit and approve operation plans for solid waste disposal facilities, transfer stations, recycling facilities, incinerators, composting facilities, and other non-hazardous disposal and land treatment operations.
- Review operation and closure plans, technical reports, and designs to ensure that minimum standards are met.
- Inspect and evaluate disposal and recycling facility compliance with state and federal rules, and respond to complaints.
- Performs complex and varied assignments related to the processing of water rights registrations, and other processes related to administration of the State Water Board’s water rights regulatory authority.
- Analyze and evaluate hydrologic and water use data to evaluate the impacts of water diversions on public trust fishery resources, vegetation, wildlife, potential land uses, and other aspects of the environment.
- Use scientific principles to develop recommendations regarding water rights registrations.
- Develop or refine innovative techniques for conducting technical analyses, including the use of remote sensing and aerial imagery analysis, workflow improvement using geospatial software or programming languages, and implementing data science methodologies.
Skills: Waste Regulations, Technical Support, Permit Approval, Compliance Inspection, Data Analysis, Water Rights, Geospatial Analysis, Environmental Evaluation
10. Benchmark Metrics for Environmental Scientist Cover Letter
- Manage projects and provide oversight of sampling activities and reporting requirements associated with environmental permits including solid waste, industrial wastewater, stormwater, and potable water.
- Manage projects and provide oversight of sampling activities and reporting requirements related to environmental contamination investigations related to incidents or spills to determine if impacts to the environment have occurred.
- Manage projects and provide oversight of sampling activities in support of the waste characterization process which helps determine the transportation and disposal requirements for waste generated by tenant organizations and construction contractors at KSC.
- Manage the ESAM calibration and maintenance program which includes a variety of electronic and mechanical field sampling equipment such as dissolved oxygen meters, turbidity meters, pH meters, conductivity meters, chlorine meters, FID/PIDs, and portable well sampling pumps to ensure proper operation, including ordering of equipment and supplies when needed.
- Possess a strong understanding of a variety of environmental programs regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for field sampling activities.
- Use Geographic Information System (GIS) software to produce basic maps depicting sampling locations and other relative information related to field activities.
- Support, assist, or conduct the preparation of field samples for transport to environmental laboratories for analytical testing, including preparation of chain-of-custody documentation.
- Maintains work area in a clean and orderly condition and ensures safe operating conditions within area of responsibility.
- Performs a range of administrative duties required to fulfill program or contractual requirements related to a designated area of specialty, including record keeping, inventory and supply requisitioning, database entry, vehicle upkeep, and similar duties
Skills: Project Management, Environmental Sampling, Contamination Investigation, Equipment Calibration, Regulatory Compliance, GIS Mapping, Laboratory Coordination, Administrative Support
What Are the Qualifications and Requirements for Environmental Scientist in a Cover Letter?
1. Negotiation Skills for Environmental Scientist Cover Letter
- Relevant experience, including state and federal wetland and species permitting requirements
- Ecological fieldwork experience, including wetland delineation and protected species survey
- Strong technical writing skills and experience writing detailed technical reports
- Working knowledge and strong interest in ArcGIS
- Desire to work in both an office environment and in the field
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills
- Strong sense of urgency and self-initiative to meet client deadlines
- Detail-oriented team player with the ability to contribute to a positive work environment
- Strong technical writing and organizational skills
- The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced work environment as well as the ability to manage and prioritize several assignments concurrently and meet deadlines
Qualifications: BA in Geography with 1 year of Experience
2. Collaborative Teamwork for Environmental Scientist Cover Letter
- Experience in the environmental consulting industry.
- Experience conducting Phase 2 ESAs, remediation, reclamation, and DSAs.
- Experience with groundwater monitoring and vegetation management
- Problem-solving skills in the field as a site supervisor, including management of multiple contractors, scopes, and site locations at any given time.
- Understanding of upstream oil and gas regulatory requirements including Alberta Tier 1 and 2 Guidelines, CCME Guidelines, and AER Directives 50 and 58.
- Excellent teamwork skills to work positively and collaboratively with a diverse team.
- The ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Excellent interpersonal skills for building and maintaining positive working relationships and partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
- Comfort working in a fast-paced environment
- A safety mindset, critical thinking, strong attention to detail, and a focus on efficient task execution.
Qualifications: BA in Ecology with 3 years of Experience
3. Account Management Best Practices for Environmental Scientist Cover Letter
- Background in Geology/Environmental Science
- Experience working in the environmental field.
- Possess active registration as a Professional Geologist, preferably in Pennsylvania.
- Intermediate experience with groundwater modeling
- Working knowledge of GIS support software and analysis
- Possess 40-hour OSHA HAZWOPER training with current 8-hour refresher certificate.
- Ability to wear proper PPE for work on hazardous waste sites
- Core competency in Microsoft Office Products, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
Qualifications: BA in Environmental Studies with 2 years of Experience
4. Industry Knowledge for Environmental Scientist Cover Letter
- Work experience in environmental consulting regarding pre-disturbance assessments, reclamation, contaminated site investigation, and remediation.
- Experience with the Canadian System of Soil Classification and 2010 Alberta Reclamation Criteria.
- Knowledge of weeds, plant identification, and wetlands in Alberta
- Eligible for professional designation (e.g. R.TAg, P.Ag., P.Biol.).
- Able to perform field work over extended periods locally or at remote sites.
- Knowledge and practical application of environmental issues and constraints affecting soils in reclamation and remediation.
- Strong written communication skills and previous experience writing technical reports.
- Effective organizational skills with the demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, plan, schedule, and coordinate various activities relating to projects and proposal submissions.
- Proven ability to work with a multidisciplinary team
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively both autonomously and within a team – a vibrant team player
Qualifications: BA in Sustainability Studies with 4 years of Experience
5. Experience and Qualifications for Environmental Scientist Cover Letter
- Experience working as an environmental scientist, due diligence experience
- Working knowledge of U.S. environmental laws and regulations, including RCRA, CERCLA, SARA, CWA, and CAA, international experience
- Strong analytical skills and be able to solve problems independently, using knowledge gained from increasing experience.
- Self-sufficient, self-motivated, and the ability to work under pressure of deadlines.
- Must be willing to make trips on short notice, including to local sites, and travel via air or land.
- Capable interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to a scientific and non-scientific audience.
- Effective self-leadership with attention to detail, results orientation, and managing multiple priorities in a dynamic work environment.
- Ability to learn new techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, follow instructions, work independently, and comply with company policies.
- Moderate proficiency with business writing, office automation, and communication software, technology, and tools.
- Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety, and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
- OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER Training, DOT Training, CPR and First Aid Training, and other related environmental certifications.
- Experience conducting Phase I environmental site assessments following ASTM International Standard E 1527-13 and ASTM Rural Standard E 2247-16.
- Proficiency in ArcGIS software.
Qualifications: BA in Earth Science with 7 years of Experience
6. Technical Expertise for Environmental Scientist Cover Letter
- Applicable experience in conducting field programs for environmental site assessment and/or remediation projects
- Prior experience in an engineering or consulting environment
- Highly organized and self-motivated with strong attention to detail
- Demonstrated ability to work alone or as part of a team
- Show initiative in integrating creativity and innovation in all work tasks
- Demonstrate knowledge of applicable provincial and federal environmental regulations and guidelines
- Demonstrate knowledge of field equipment, GIS-related mobile data collection, reporting software
- Exceptional communication, organization, and report-writing skills
- Excellent problem-solving skills, and ability to work under pressure and within short timelines
- Proficient with Microsoft Office software suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.)
- Be conscientious, organized, and disciplined
Qualifications: BA in Environmental Science with 5 years of Experience
7. Problem-solving Abilities for Environmental Scientist Cover Letter
- Experience in Environmental Science, Wildlife Ecology, Wetland Ecology, Fisheries, or related field.
- Proven environmental consulting experience.
- Familiarity with Florida wetland ecology, wildlife ecology, and/or botany
- Fluency in regulatory agency guidelines in the state of Florida (FDEP, FWC, USACE, USFWS)
- Capable of producing clear and concise written documents
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Comfortable with managing a workflow that includes fieldwork and completion of reporting tasks for multiple projects on time
- Capable of working independently and effectively with a team
- Self-motivated, reliable, and dedicated individual
- Ability to organize and manage a heavy workload and meet internal and external deadlines.
Qualifications: BA in Conservation Science with 1 year of Experience
8. Training and Certifications for Environmental Scientist Cover Letter
- Environmental consulting work experience
- Experience completing field investigations, wetland assessments, associated permitting, analyzing GIS data, preparing environmental assessments and permitting documents, technical writing
- Demonstrated knowledge of wetlands and aquatic resources
- Demonstrated knowledge of Section 404, 401, and Section 10 permitting
- Knowledge of state and local permitting processes in the Midwest
- Knowledge of the agencies that govern the waters of the U.S.
- Knowledge of erosion and sediment control permitting and site restoration practices
- Demonstrated proficiency in operating GPS equipment
- Working knowledge of GIS support software and analysis
- Ability to communicate both verbal and written technical information
- Proficient in computer software (Microsoft Office-Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Project)
Qualifications: BA in Forestry with 4 years of Experience
9. Abilities and Qualifications for Environmental Scientist Cover Letter
- Experience in environmental science, environmental engineering, urban planning, or related fields
- Strong technical writing and communication skills
- Familiarity with environmental documents and regulatory submissions associated with electric substation, distribution, and transmission projects
- Familiarity with the environmental review process and the preparation of documents according to the SEQRA, phase 1 and phase 2 protocols, and NYSDEC requirements
- Sharp attention to detail
- OSHA 40-hour training
- Technical expertise in one or more of the following impact areas - wetlands, surface waters and water quality, stormwater management, endangered species, noise, visual resources
- Knowledge and experience of the regulatory requirements associated with Article VII of New York Public Service Law
- Hold E/AICP or other professional licenses or certifications
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Qualifications: BA in Climatology with 2 years of Experience
10. Skills Overview for Environmental Scientist Cover Letter
- Strong leadership skills including safe work practices and project management.
- Experience managing Storm Water Pollution Prevention Programs (SWPPP), Multi-Sector General Permits (MSGP), Stormwater best management practices (BMPs), ground and surface water sampling and analysis, Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC),
- Knowledge of waste management programs including Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) compliance programs associated with hazardous and solid wastes, used oil, and universal waste.
- Familiarity with the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), Global Release Inventory (TRI), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA).
- Knowledge of project management tools and techniques.
- Federal experience with NAVFAC and/or USACE projects.
- Ability to create and elaborate on project communication material, including project updates, status reports, and SharePoint communications
- Must have excellent customer service and multi-tasking skills
- Ability to effectively communicate both orally (in common English narration) and in writing (to include technical documentation).
- Ability to manage multiple projects, work under pressure and tight deadlines, work independently, and work in a team environment.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office with emphasis on Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other applicable database and office automation products, including Adobe Pro.
- Team player with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Qualifications: BA in Natural Resources Management with 8 years of Experience