Environmental Field Scientist

About Us

We are a California-based environmental consulting firm with 500+ professionals and over 30 years of experience serving clients across the transportation, energy, water, infrastructure, private development, and government sectors. We are proud to be a Certified Great Place to Work
, as reflected in the experiences our employees share on Glassdoor and the trust, connection, and sense of purpose felt across our company.

Our mission is to deliver practical, science-based environmental and planning solutions that support communities, infrastructure, and natural systems. At Rincon, people come first. We value collaboration, fairness, and transparency, and we are committed to creating an environment where everyone can grow, contribute meaningfully, and do their best work.

We are seeking an Entry-Level or Junior Environmental Scientist, Engineer, Geologist, or Hydrogeologist to join the Environmental and Earth Systems team. In this role, you will be working closely with Project Managers and senior-level practitioners to scope, coordinate and conduct Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), groundwater and soil vapor monitoring, soil and groundwater remediation programs, and storm water compliance projects.

The ideal candidate excels working with a team, is self-directed, adaptable, entrepreneurial, and aligned with Rincon's core values and mission. This position will be a mix of office and field responsibilities, with opportunities to develop management and reporting skills as responsibilities increase.

This role may offer a hybrid work setup, blending time in the office with remote work as business needs evolve. We enjoy coming together in person to collaborate, connect with teammates, and partner with clients, and may prioritize candidates who live within 50 miles of a Rincon office. Eligible office locations for this role include:
Carlsbad, Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, Oakland, Palm Springs, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, San Jose, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. (

Please note:

Although this position is listed for the City of Santa Barbara and the LA area, it is also available for the other surrounding areas listed above.)

• Work within a team to develop and implement creative environmental project strategies.
• Aid in the preparation and implementation of environmental site assessment work plans.
• Prepare Phase I ESAs, Initial Site Assessments, and Phase II ESAs with a focus on ASTM compliance, accuracy, clarity, succinctness, and quality control.
• Provide technical and general field support on various ESAs including soil vapor, soil, indoor air, sediment, and groundwater sample collection for laboratory analysis.
• Perform groundwater monitoring, purging, and sampling, utilizing standard volume purge and low flow methodologies.
• Observe drilling and monitoring well installation and classify soil samples.
• Evaluate analytical data relative to project-specific cleanup goals or applicable screening levels.
• Conduct site inspections and reconnaissance in support of ESAs.
• Work with a great team in a dynamic and fun environment!

• Minimum B.A./B.S. in Environmental Engineering, Geology, Environmental Science, or another related field.
• Experience with technical writing and documentation.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills.
• Experience installing soil vapor and groundwater monitoring wells.
• Experience performing groundwater purging and sampling with the use of various groundwater monitoring pumps and water quality indicator meters.
• Experience accurately preparing soil boring logs, hydro graphs, groundwater contour maps, field notes, sketches, and other documentation of actions undertaken during site investigation and remediation projects.
• Passion for the environment and science and enjoy working outdoors!

The base salary range for this full-time position is $60,000–$80,000, plus a generous benefits program. Salary ranges are based on the market median of similar jobs, according to third-party salary benchmark surveys. Base pay is determined based on internal equity and a candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Package designed to support employee well-being, growth, and financial security. Our benefits are designed to offer flexibility and choice, including health coverage options, employer-sponsored insurance, retirement benefits, generous time off, and programs that support learning, growth, and community engagement.

Explore more about our culture, benefits, and life at Rincon on the Culture and Benefits page.

Individuals offered employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of employment. Additionally, those hired who may be assigned to federal projects will be subject to further drug testing, including screening for…