Senior Scientist

LATA is currently searching for a Senior Scientist with a Geology/Hydrology background to join the Groundwater Team at the WIPP project in Carlsbad, New Mexico. This is a government contract to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) supporting the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). Work location will be at the WIPP, which is approximately 26 miles (straight line) east of Carlsbad, New Mexico.

This position reports directly to the LATA Site Environmental Manager and takes direction from the Groundwater Team lead.

This position will be responsible for supporting compliance with permits, plans, standard operating procedures (SOPs), job hazard analysis (JHAs), and quality assurance requirements respective of the Groundwater Monitoring Program at WIPP.

Work location is at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near Carlsbad, New Mexico. The candidate will be required to perform a variety of duties in the Environmental Monitoring and Hydrology Department including field work and must be able to lift 50 pounds.

• Groundwater level measuring and groundwater sampling.
• Record keeping of water level and sampling data and paperwork.
• Oversee drilling subcontractor work and support design and installation of monitoring wells, including interpretation of geophysical logs and proficiency in describing drill cuttings and core samples.
• Knowledge of project management skills and experience with managing projects is required, to include scoping, budget management, and schedule adherence.
• Obtain and maintain WIPP Project Subcontract Technical Representative (PSTR) and Field Work Supervisor qualifications.
• Support preparation of statements of work, procurement documents.
• Oversee subcontract work as a PSTR.
• Work towards becoming a technical expert in the geological and hydrological systems near WIPP and within the Delaware and Permian Basins by working closely with current experts of these systems, integrating geology and earth sciences data from mineralogy, chemistry, fluid migration, stratigraphy, and geophysics, and contributing to the long-term support of WIPP. Thoroughly investigate related domains, including geology, karst, subsidence, hydrology, drilling procedures, geophysical log interpretation, hydrology testing, and geological data collection and reporting.
• Utilize mapping software to process existing data and collect data to develop or support development of a geospatial database.
• Supervise, support, and coordinate drilling initiatives and assessments focused on hydrology monitoring, karst studies, and subsidence impacts on Culebra transmissivity. Engage with drilling operators, collect real-time geological data, and gain a comprehensive understanding of the processes involved in drillhole completion for monitoring purposes. Describe drill cores and provide technical expertise on geological and hydrological interpretation and geophysical log interpretation. Coordinate and support hydraulic testing of existing wells to include review of data from subcontracted tests.
• Coordinate and support plugging and abandonment of older monitoring wells.
• Support WIPP performance assessments and EPA certification; perform comprehensive reviews of major conceptual models and performance elements related to geology and earth sciences.
• Revise and review permits, plans, and procedures and assess fieldwork performance for process improvements.
• Support drilling of new monitoring wells.
• Write and review technical reports as required by the Hazardous Waste Facility Permit, other permits, and per contract deliverables.
• Responsible for all permitting aspects of groundwater wells, carefully coordinating with permitting and regulatory agencies, customer, and internal organizations, as needed.
• Additional duties as assigned.

• BS degree in Geology/Hydrology/Hydrogeology.
• 7 to 10 years of experience in Geology/Hydrogeology.
• Project management skills and experience.
• Skilled in report writing, graphics and graphical programs.
• Knowledge in mapping/geographical systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software, specifically Excel and Word.
• Possess excellent writing, verbal communication, and team skills.
• Environmental sampling and job safety-related experience is required.
• The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as a team and with other individuals and project groups is required.
• Attention to detail and initiative is required.