How to apply for Environmental Scientist - Remediation Focus

About AECOM

AECOM builds sustainable legacies through infrastructure and environmental solutions. It is a large firm with an environmental remediation group, and this role sits in that group. The position is posted as remote in the US, though the job description cites Denver and other Colorado locations.

About the role

You will work under senior engineers and scientists on environmental site assessments, remedial and solid waste design and construction, and environmental support on multi-disciplinary projects. The job mixes field and office work. You will perform standard scientific work, detect problems with samples or equipment, propose analytical methods, interpret data, and compare findings to local, state, and federal regulations. The description notes potential for growth.

A typical day

A typical day may include field work such as collecting samples or supporting remedial and solid waste construction, plus office work interpreting data and comparing findings to regulations. You would conduct specific phases of projects under more experienced engineers and scientists, and report problems with samples or equipment when they occur. The job description does not specify daily routines beyond field and office responsibilities, so ask about the field-to-office split during the interview.

Who AECOM is looking for

• Technically capable of applying standard scientific techniques and procedures, and able to detect problems when sample conditions or equipment issues arise.
• An excellent communicator who can interpret and record data, draw conclusions, and make recommendations based on analysis.
• Aware of relevant local, state, and federal environmental regulations, and able to compare findings to them.
• Able to conduct specific phases of projects for more experienced scientists and propose appropriate analytical methods and techniques.

Tips for this application

• Note that the title says remote (US) but the description names Denver, CO and lists Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, and Glenwood Springs as alternatives. State your location clearly and confirm whether you are applying for the Denver office or another listed Colorado location.
• Use the exact phrase 'environmental site assessments' and 'remedial and solid waste design and construction' in your materials, since these are the named work areas.
• Give one concrete example of detecting a problem with a sample or piece of equipment and what you did, because the job description lists this as a responsibility.
• Name the specific local, state, and federal regulations you have worked with, rather than saying you have 'regulatory awareness'.
• Describe your field and office experience separately, because the role explicitly involves both.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your ability to perform standard scientific work and apply techniques and procedures, with a specific example.', 'Your experience conducting specific phases of projects under more experienced scientists.', 'Your familiarity with local, state, and federal environmental regulations relevant to remediation.', 'Your communication skills, since the description asks for an excellent communicator.']

Research before applying

• Look up AECOM's environmental remediation group and any published work on site assessments, remedial design, or solid waste projects.
• Check AECOM's stated work on sustainable legacies and infrastructure to understand how the remediation group fits into the larger company.
• Find out which Colorado locations (Denver, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs) the remediation group operates from, and ask which office this role reports to.
• Review the local, state, and federal regulations that apply to environmental remediation in Colorado, since the job description mentions awareness of relevant regulations.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Walk through a time you detected a problem with a sample or equipment during standardized procedures. What did you do?
• Which local, state, and federal environmental regulations have you applied in past work, and how did you compare findings to them?
• Describe a phase of a project you conducted for a more experienced scientist. What was your scope?
• How do you decide which analytical methods and techniques to propose for a given sample or site?
• This role involves field and office responsibilities. How have you handled that split in previous positions?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying without clarifying your location, since the posting says remote (US) but the description names Denver and other Colorado locations.
• Claiming regulatory awareness without naming specific local, state, or federal regulations you have used.
• Focusing only on office or only on field experience when the role explicitly includes both.