Environmental Jobs in Rhode Island
Environmental jobs in Rhode Island are concentrated in state and municipal agencies, coastal and marine research institutions, engineering and consulting firms, and the growing clean energy sector anchored by offshore wind development in Narragansett Bay. Most hiring happens in and around Providence, Newport, and Cranston, with major employers including the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Brown University, and Stantec. The most in-demand specialties are environmental compliance, wetlands permitting, remediation, and coastal resource management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Environmental JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 16+ Environmental jobs











Job Description Summary, Duties and Responsibilities, Required Qualifications and Preferred Qualifications
Search will be open until filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by 11/15/2026. Applications received after 11/15/2026 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
URI is Rhode Island's flagship public research university. In 2025, URI achieved Carnegie R1 status, placing it among the nation's highest research activity universities. URI was also ranked the No. 1 public university in New England by The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse. The Kingston campus is located near Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic coast, with access to Providence, Boston, New York, and the coastal communities of southern Rhode Island. Rhode Island is also an EPSCoR-eligible jurisdiction, providing faculty with access to targeted federal funding opportunities that support research capacity, collaboration, and innovation.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Rhode Island invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the assistant professor level in environmental engineering. The anticipated start date is August 2027.
We seek an outstanding scholar and educator with the potential to build a nationally prominent, externally funded research program. This is a broad search, and candidates from all areas of environmental engineering are encouraged to apply.
The department is interested in reviewing applications from candidates whose work touches on air pollution, indoor air quality, links between climate and air quality, atmospheric chemistry, and ocean-atmosphere interactions; however, candidates from all areas of environmental engineering are encouraged to apply and will receive full consideration.
The successful candidate will contribute to the growth of environmental engineering research at URI and help advance the launch and long-term success of URI's new Bachelor of Science degree program in Environmental Engineering.
THE POSITION IS IN-PERSON
POSITION SUMMARY:
The successful candidate will be expected to develop a nationally recognized and externally funded research program; publish high-impact scholarship; teach undergraduate and graduate courses; mentor undergraduate and graduate students; contribute to the new BS Environmental Engineering curriculum; and participate in service to the department, college, university, profession, and broader community.
Applicants are expected to hold a terminal degree in environmental engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, environmental health engineering, or a closely related field by the time of appointment. Required qualifications include evidence of potential for excellence in research and teaching; a strong record of scholarly activity appropriate to career stage; effective written and oral communication skills; and the ability to work effectively with students, faculty, staff, and external partners. Preferred qualifications include evidence of potential for external research funding; experience advising or mentoring students; ability to teach core undergraduate or graduate environmental engineering courses; interest in program development; and Professional Engineering licensure or the ability to pursue licensure.
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is housed within URI's College of Engineering and is entering an exciting period of growth. The department offers undergraduate and graduate programs in civil and environmental engineering and is launching a new BS degree in Environmental Engineering. The successful candidate will join URI at a pivotal moment, with opportunities to help shape a new undergraduate degree program while expanding the department's research impact in environmental engineering.
Faculty and students in the College of Engineering work in the Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering (FCAE), a 190,000-square-foot facility designed to support interdisciplinary engineering research and education. Research in the facility is organized around themes that include clean water, sensors and instrumentation, alternative energy, advanced materials, robotics, biomedical technology, and nanotechnology. FCAE also houses the Shimadzu Analytical Core, the RI Water Resources Center, and the RI Consortium for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop a nationally recognized, externally funded research program in
- Publish high-impact scholarship.
- Teach undergraduate and graduate courses.
- Mentor undergraduate, M.S., and Ph.D. students.
- Contribute to the development and success of the B.S. in Environmental
- Participate in service to the department, college, university, profession, and broadercommunity.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Perform other duties as required.
LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT:
Personal computers, printers, word processing, database management,
and spreadsheet software.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED:
1. A terminal degree in environmental engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, environmental health engineering, or a closely related field by the time of appointment.
2. Evidence of potential for excellence in research and teaching.
3. A strong record of scholarly activity appropriate to the candidate's career stage.
4. Effective written and oral communication skills.
5. Ability to work effectively with students, faculty, staff, and external partners.
PREFERRED:
1. Evidence of potential to secure external research funding.
2. Experience advising or mentoring students.
3. Ability to teach core undergraduate and/or graduate environmental engineering courses.
4. Interest in Environmental Engineering B.S. degree program development.
5. Professional Engineering licensure or the ability to pursue licensure.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
EEO Statement: URI is unwavering in its commitment to equal opportunity, community, equity, and diversity. In furtherance of its mission to serve and support all learners as the state's public flagship university, URI continues to expand efforts to recruit and retain a broadly representative workforce as well as to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of those efforts. All employment decisions, including hiring, are made without regard to protected status. Qualified individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by contacting the URI benefits office at 401-874-2416. For TTY assistance, contact R.I. Relay Services at 711.
Union: AAUP - American Assoc of Univ Professors
Status: Academic Year, Full-time, Permanent
Department: Civil&EnvironmentalEngineering
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please attach the following 5 (PDF) documents to your online Faculty Employment Application:
(#1) Cover letter.
(#2) Curriculum Vitae.
(#3) Research Statement - describing scholarly accomplishments, future research plans, and vision for building an externally funded research program (as one complete document).
(#4) Statement of Teaching - describing teaching philosophy. experience, and potential contributions to the BS Environmental Engineering curriculum (as one complete document to upload).
(#5) Other Document - copies of two relevant publications (as one complete document to upload).
Note: References will be upon request by the search committee.
Position Number: 106442
Posting Number: F00529
Posting Date: 10/01/2026
Closing Date:
Open Until Filled: Yes
To apply, visit https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/17152
je-3bdbf52b261d4f91947a3a52d82cb0c1
See All 16 Environmental Jobs in Rhode Island
Find roles in Rhode Island that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Environmental JobsEnvironmental Jobs by City in Rhode Island
Where Rhode Island roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Environmental Job Market in Rhode Island
A snapshot from current Rhode Island openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Waste Management & Environmental Services
What Rhode Island Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in environmental jobs across Rhode Island.
- Active Rhode Island environmental scientist registration or eligibility through the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
- Bachelor's degree or higher in environmental science, environmental engineering, or a closely related field
- Hands-on experience with wetlands delineation, site assessment, or environmental impact review
- Familiarity with Rhode Island coastal management regulations and RIDEM permitting processes
- Proficiency with GIS software, environmental data management systems, or field sampling protocols
- Strong written communication skills for preparing technical reports and regulatory submissions
Environmental Jobs in Rhode Island: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a environmental in Rhode Island?
Environmental professionals in Rhode Island typically need a bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, or a related field. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management oversees licensing and permitting for many practice areas, and some positions require registration as a professional engineer or certified hazardous materials manager. Building field experience through internships with state agencies or coastal research institutions strengthens candidacy considerably.
Which companies hire environmentals in Rhode Island?
Employers hiring environmentals in Rhode Island right now include Care New England Health System, AECOM, and Veolia, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Rhode Island's offshore wind buildout and active RIDEM compliance programs have kept demand steady across consulting firms, state agencies, and energy developers throughout the state.
Which Rhode Island cities have the most environmental jobs?
Providence, Newport, and Lincoln have the most environmental job openings in Rhode Island. Providence dominates because it is home to state agency headquarters, major universities, and regional consulting offices, while Newport and Cranston draw openings tied to coastal resource management, military installation environmental programs, and manufacturing compliance work.
Are there remote environmental jobs in Rhode Island?
Yes, but they're rare. Environmental work is largely field-based and site-specific, which limits remote arrangements for most roles. About 100% of environmental openings tied to Rhode Island are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those positions tend to be in data analysis, regulatory review, grant writing, or project management rather than fieldwork or site inspection.
How can I get hired as a environmental in Rhode Island with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through internships or seasonal technician roles with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management or the Coastal Resources Management Council, both of which regularly bring on early-career candidates. Entry-level positions in environmental monitoring, field sampling, or compliance support at regional consulting firms are also accessible with a relevant degree. Obtaining a wetlands or erosion control certification through a recognized Rhode Island program gives candidates a practical edge over peers.
Where can I find and apply to environmental jobs in Rhode Island?
You can find and apply to environmental jobs in Rhode Island on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and location, and apply directly to each position.
See All 16 Environmental Jobs in Rhode Island
Find roles in Rhode Island that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Environmental Jobs