Entry Level Environmental Scientist Jobs
New grad environmental scientist jobs are open to recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong internship work or a field-sampling portfolio can carry more weight than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Consulting & Professional Services, Construction & Real Estate, and Government & Public Sector, with employers like HDR, aptim, and Colliers Engineering & Design hiring at this level now.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 19+ Entry Level Environmental Scientist jobs
Job Overview:
This role will perform a variety of scientific work and operate various watercraft types for the Coastwide Reference Monitoring System (CRMS) and System-Wide Assessment and Monitoring Program (SWAMP water quality) programs. Wetland restoration efforts conducted in Louisiana require monitoring the effectiveness of individual projects as well as monitoring the cumulative effects of all projects in restoring, creating, enhancing, and protecting the coastal landscape. CRMS is a multiple reference approach that uses aspects of hydrogeomorphic functional assessments and probabilistic sampling. This approach includes a suite of sites that encompass the range of ecological conditions for each stratum, with projects placed on a continuum of conditions found for that stratum. This position requires one to be located in Louisiana. No relocation provided.
Key Responsibilities/Accountabilities:
Field Activities (60% of the time)
- Conduct ecological monitoring activities, including vegetation surveys, hydrographic measurements, soil accretion monitoring, and water quality sampling.
- Support scientific field data collection efforts in southern Louisiana wetlands, including swamp, freshwater, intermediate, and brackish marsh environments.
- Operate boats, towing vehicles, and field equipment following company safety procedures and training requirements (training available).
- Travel to remote monitoring locations, including coastal waterways and open-water environments.
- Assist with routine maintenance and operational readiness of vessels, trailers, trucks, and scientific instrumentation.
- Perform light construction, operations, and maintenance (O&M) activities as needed.
- Follow all Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) policies and procedures.
Office Work (40% of the time)
- Process, review, and quality-check scientific data using established protocols and standard software tools.
- Prepare equipment, supplies, and logistics for upcoming field deployments.
- Collaborate within a small, multidisciplinary team and across organizational levels in a cooperative, safety-focused environment.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science or related Science degree.
- Relevant environmental field experience, including ecological monitoring, natural resources, or environmental data collection.
- Must have a valid driver's license and experience trailering and operating watercraft in coastal or inland environments.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey technical information.
- Must be able to lift and transport equipment weighing 30–50 pounds individually and heavier items as part of a team.
- Ability and willingness to perform work in physically demanding environments with exposure to heat, cold, insects, and adverse weather conditions.
- Proven ability to work effectively within small field teams while demonstrating high reliability, accountability, and professionalism.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience operating airboats is preferred; training is available for candidates willing to learn.
- Experience working in coastal wetlands and marshes.
- Knowledge of Louisiana wetland vegetation identification, including common tree, shrub, and herbaceous species.
Who we are and what we do:
About APTIM
APTIM enhances the quality of the environment, wellbeing of people, resilience of communities, and opportunity for employees to make a difference, not just a living. A leading professional solutions firm, we specialize in environmental, sustainability, resilience, and infrastructure solutions. Our team of experts provide these integrated solutions for forward-thinking government agencies, commercial and industrial clients, and energy customers. Together, we create sustainable and resilient communities for all.
What you can expect from APTIM:
- Work that is worthy of your time and talent
- Respect and flexibility to live a full life at work and at home
- Dogged determination to deliver for our clients and communities
- A voice in making our company better
- Investment into your personal and professional development
As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay range for this position is $23 to $26 per hour. Compensation depends on several factors including: experience, education, key skills, geographic location of the position, client requirements, external market competitiveness, and internal equity among other employees within APTIM.
Job Overview:
This role will perform a variety of scientific work and operate various watercraft types for the Coastwide Reference Monitoring System (CRMS) and System-Wide Assessment and Monitoring Program (SWAMP water quality) programs. Wetland restoration efforts conducted in Louisiana require monitoring the effectiveness of individual projects as well as monitoring the cumulative effects of all projects in restoring, creating, enhancing, and protecting the coastal landscape. CRMS is a multiple reference approach that uses aspects of hydrogeomorphic functional assessments and probabilistic sampling. This approach includes a suite of sites that encompass the range of ecological conditions for each stratum, with projects placed on a continuum of conditions found for that stratum. This position requires one to be located in Louisiana. No relocation provided.
Key Responsibilities/Accountabilities:
Field Activities (60% of the time)
- Conduct ecological monitoring activities, including vegetation surveys, hydrographic measurements, soil accretion monitoring, and water quality sampling.
- Support scientific field data collection efforts in southern Louisiana wetlands, including swamp, freshwater, intermediate, and brackish marsh environments.
- Operate boats, towing vehicles, and field equipment following company safety procedures and training requirements (training available).
- Travel to remote monitoring locations, including coastal waterways and open-water environments.
- Assist with routine maintenance and operational readiness of vessels, trailers, trucks, and scientific instrumentation.
- Perform light construction, operations, and maintenance (O&M) activities as needed.
- Follow all Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) policies and procedures.
Office Work (40% of the time)
- Process, review, and quality-check scientific data using established protocols and standard software tools.
- Prepare equipment, supplies, and logistics for upcoming field deployments.
- Collaborate within a small, multidisciplinary team and across organizational levels in a cooperative, safety-focused environment.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science or related Science degree.
- Relevant environmental field experience, including ecological monitoring, natural resources, or environmental data collection.
- Must have a valid driver's license and experience trailering and operating watercraft in coastal or inland environments.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey technical information.
- Must be able to lift and transport equipment weighing 30–50 pounds individually and heavier items as part of a team.
- Ability and willingness to perform work in physically demanding environments with exposure to heat, cold, insects, and adverse weather conditions.
- Proven ability to work effectively within small field teams while demonstrating high reliability, accountability, and professionalism.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience operating airboats is preferred; training is available for candidates willing to learn.
- Experience working in coastal wetlands and marshes.
- Knowledge of Louisiana wetland vegetation identification, including common tree, shrub, and herbaceous species.
Who we are and what we do:
About APTIM
APTIM enhances the quality of the environment, wellbeing of people, resilience of communities, and opportunity for employees to make a difference, not just a living. A leading professional solutions firm, we specialize in environmental, sustainability, resilience, and infrastructure solutions. Our team of experts provide these integrated solutions for forward-thinking government agencies, commercial and industrial clients, and energy customers. Together, we create sustainable and resilient communities for all.
What you can expect from APTIM:
- Work that is worthy of your time and talent
- Respect and flexibility to live a full life at work and at home
- Dogged determination to deliver for our clients and communities
- A voice in making our company better
- Investment into your personal and professional development
As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay range for this position is $23 to $26 per hour. Compensation depends on several factors including: experience, education, key skills, geographic location of the position, client requirements, external market competitiveness, and internal equity among other employees within APTIM.
See All 19 Entry Level Environmental Scientist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsEntry Level Environmental Scientist Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services11
- Construction & Real Estate2
- Government & Public Sector2
- Technology & Software1
Entry Level Environmental Scientist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level environmental scientist job?
Start by building hands-on experience through internships, volunteer fieldwork, or university research projects, since most entry level roles expect some practical exposure even without full-time history. Employers at this level look for familiarity with environmental sampling methods, data logging, and relevant software like GIS or AutoCAD. A targeted resume that highlights lab coursework, field hours, and any regulatory report writing gives candidates a clear edge.
Which companies hire entry level environmental scientists?
Companies hiring entry level environmental scientists right now include HDR, aptim, and Colliers Engineering & Design, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Hiring at this level covers environmental consulting firms, government contractors, engineering service companies, and public agencies that bring on junior staff to support compliance monitoring and site assessment projects.
Are there remote entry level environmental scientist jobs?
Yes, though most roles at this level involve fieldwork or lab work that requires an on-site presence. About 17% of entry level environmental scientist openings are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with remote work more common in data analysis, report writing, and GIS mapping positions than in hands-on sampling or remediation roles.
Are these new grad environmental scientist jobs?
Yes, the listings here include new grad, recent graduate, and junior environmental scientist roles. A posting is new-grad friendly when it welcomes zero to two years of experience, counts internships or co-op terms toward its requirements, or accepts a strong portfolio of fieldwork and coursework in place of full-time history. Look for language like "entry level," "recent graduates encouraged," or "training provided" as clear signals.
Which industries hire the most entry level environmental scientists?
Entry Level environmental scientist roles concentrate in Consulting & Professional Services, Construction & Real Estate, and Government & Public Sector, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Those sectors drive hiring at this level because they face ongoing regulatory compliance obligations, site monitoring requirements, and environmental impact reporting that create consistent demand for junior scientists ready to support field and analytical work.