Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Scientist/Engineer

at Erg

🏢 About Erg

ERG is a consulting firm dedicated to supporting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal/non-profit clients on critical environmental projects. Their focus on hazardous waste site characterization and remediation offers a chance to make a tangible impact on public health and the environment. Working at ERG means collaborating with diverse scientific and engineering practices in a remote, flexible environment.

About This Role

This part-time senior scientist/engineer role supports EPA research projects, primarily characterizing hazardous waste sites and evaluating remedial alternatives. You will work closely with cross-disciplinary teams at ERG to analyze data, develop recommendations, and contribute to environmental cleanup efforts. The role is impactful because your work directly informs decisions that protect communities and ecosystems from hazardous waste.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a virtual team check-in to discuss progress on an EPA site characterization project. You could spend the morning analyzing groundwater data and drafting sections of a remedial investigation report, then join a video call with ERG's engineering and toxicology practices to align on remedy alternatives. After lunch, you might review comments from EPA on a feasibility study and update your work accordingly, wrapping up with a status update email to the project manager.

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🎯 Who Erg Is Looking For

  • Has 10+ years of experience in environmental science or engineering, specifically with hazardous waste site characterization and remediation.
  • Possesses deep knowledge of EPA regulations, including CERCLA and RCRA, and experience with remedial investigation/feasibility studies (RI/FS).
  • Demonstrates strong analytical and technical writing skills, with a track record of producing clear reports for EPA or similar clients.
  • Thrives in a collaborative, remote environment and can manage multiple projects independently while meeting deadlines.

📝 Tips for Applying to Erg

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific experience with EPA hazardous waste site projects, including RI/FS, treatability studies, or remedy selection.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly mention your familiarity with EPA guidance documents (e.g., OSWER directives) and how you've applied them.

3

Since it's part-time, clarify your availability and how you plan to balance this role with other commitments.

4

Proofread for any mention of 'full-time' – the job is part-time, so ensure your application reflects that understanding.

5

Use the application to demonstrate your ability to work remotely by including examples of successful remote collaboration.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Emphasize your specific experience with hazardous waste site characterization and remedial alternatives evaluation under EPA programs.', 'Highlight your ability to collaborate across disciplines, as the role involves close work with diverse practices at ERG.', "Showcase your technical writing skills with examples of reports or documents you've produced for EPA or similar clients.", "Express enthusiasm for ERG's mission and your desire to contribute to protecting the environment through science-based solutions."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review ERG's website, especially the 'Services' and 'Projects' sections, to understand their EPA work and client base.
  • → Explore recent EPA publications on hazardous waste site remediation (e.g., updates to the Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study guidance).
  • → Look up ERG's company culture and employee reviews on Glassdoor or similar sites to gauge remote work expectations.
  • → Check the profiles of key ERG staff (e.g., practice leads) on LinkedIn to see their backgrounds and project areas.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a hazardous waste site project you led or contributed to. What was the outcome?
2 How do you stay current with EPA regulations and guidance on remediation?
3 Give an example of a time you collaborated with a diverse team (e.g., engineers, toxicologists, community stakeholders).
4 How do you manage priorities when working on multiple projects remotely?
5 What is your experience with data quality objectives (DQOs) and decision frameworks for remedy selection?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying without tailoring your resume to hazardous waste remediation – generic environmental experience won't stand out.
  • Ignoring the part-time nature and proposing a full-time schedule or expressing confusion about hours.
  • Failing to demonstrate remote work readiness – e.g., no mention of communication tools (Teams, Zoom) or self-management skills.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Erg!

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