Environmental Scientist

Spectra Tech, Inc. is hiring Environmental Scientists for a project in Mercury, NV, involving drilling at the Nevada National Security Site. Responsibilities include on-site radiation protection, water sampling, and geologic sample processing. The position requires 24/7 support with rotating shifts from April to July 2025. Workers will stay in Mercury housing, and US citizenship is required for site access.
Spectra Tech has an immediate need for Environmental Scientists in Mercury, NV.

Description of Work:

Drilling will be taking place on 3 wells on the Nevada National Security Site. The wells are planned to be about 3,000 feet deep and will be completed with casing and tubing suitable for sampling and hydraulic testing. Groundwater is anticipated to be contaminated with tritium at levels above the Safe Drinking Water Act standard for radionuclides. Provide on-site 24/7 radiation protection during the drilling campaign. Subcontractor support to provide two geologists and one environmental scientist to work on the drill site.

Two additional environmental scientists if available to fill out the roster. The duties of the geologist will be to collect drill cuttings from the discharge line, prepare the samples, place the samples in containers and label the containers. In consultation with the lead geologist, identify key minerals in the samples. The geologist may also assist with water sample collection and preparation in advance of wet laboratory analyses for pH, EC, Br, and Pb using ion specific probes. Other water samples will be collected and processed for on-site liquid scintillation counter analysis for tritium. The environmental scientist will be responsible for the water sampling, processing and laboratory measurement (not to include the LSC for tritium). The environmental scientists may also be asked to support geologic sample collection and processing.

Location:

The drilling is planned for the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), located about 70 miles northwest of Las Vegas NV. The drill site is located in Area 20, about 60 miles from Mercury, NV, which is the closest location to the drill site with lodging.

Task Duration:

Drilling activities including training, mobilization, drilling and demobilization is expected to last from April 14, 2025, through July 31, 2025. Training, mobilization, site set up, relocation between wells, and demobilization will typically be performed during daylight hours. Assume 20 days for daylight only operations and the remainder for drilling operations. Drilling and well completion is a 24/7 activity. Training and mobilization will occur in April with 24/7 drilling to start about May 1.

Work Schedule:

The 24/7 nature of the drilling requires support 24 hours per day. Supply three crews rotating between day and night 12-hour shifts. Crews will work 8 days on, followed by 4 days off. Upon return, crews will switch shifts (day to night, and night to day). On any one day, two crews will support the drilling while the third crew is off for their 4 days. With the planned 12-hour workday and 3 hour round trip commute to Mercury, each person will be paid for a 15 hour day. Van transportation with a driver provided to move workers back and forth between the job site and Mercury. Workers will be required to stay in the Mercury housing as any off-site lodging is too far away. Mercury lodging will be paid by client, but workers will receive daily per diem for meals based on GSA FY 2025 per diem rates for Mercury NV. Cafeteria service in Mercury is limited, workers will be expected to provide their own meals.

Qualifications:

US citizenship is required to access the NNSS

NNSS badge application and granting of an access badge is required

OSHA 40-hour hazwoper training is required. Online training will be provided, if necessary, but must be completed before arrival at the site.

Radiation worker training (Rad Worker II) will be required. On-site training will be provided as necessary.

Health physical will be required or provided at the on-site medical facility in Mercury or North Las Vegas

Geologist: Bachelor’s degree in geological sciences

Environmental Scientist: Bachelor’s degree in a science field

Job Types: Full-time, Contract, Temporary

Pay: $64.64 - $115.36 per hour

Schedule:
• 12 hour shift
• Day shift
• Night shift

Ability to Commute:
• Mercury, NV 89023 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:
• Mercury, NV 89023: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Job Types: Full-time, Contract, Temporary

Pay: $64.64 - $115.36 per hour

Schedule:
• 12 hour shift
• Day shift
• Night shift

Education:
• Bachelor's (Required)

License/Certification:
• rad worker II (Required)
• OSHA 40 Hazwoper (Required)

Ability to Commute:
• Mercury, NV 89023 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:
• Mercury, NV 89023: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Willingness to travel:
• 25% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person