Staff Scientist I

Growing, Succeeding and Designing Our Future Together

We are looking for future team members who are excited to make an impact. As an employee-owned company, we are dedicated to the betterment of our clients, our communities, and our employees. Your contribution is key to the quality-of-service SMA delivers. Throughout your career with SMA, there will be opportunities for you to improve the skills you need to achieve your professional goals. We encourage you to explore innovative ways to develop solutions while collaborating with team members inside and outside the organization by providing the framework for you to find success.

We don't just talk about being client-focused; the engineers, scientists, surveyors, technicians and other professionals at SMA live and breathe it. After all, we are members of the communities we help.

Why Join Us?

• Ownership & Impact: Experience the unique advantage of employee ownership, where your contributions directly shape our company's future.
• Community Focus: We're deeply committed to the communities we serve. Our engineers, scientists, surveyors, and professionals are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that make a real difference.
• Growth & Development: We invest in your professional growth, providing opportunities to expand your skills and collaborate with a dynamic team.
• Proven Excellence: With a legacy dating back to 1985, SMA is a leading engineering firm in New Mexico, renowned for our commitment to infrastructure, water safety, environmental remediation, and more.

Position Summary

Souder, Miller & Associates is recruiting a full-time Staff Scientist I for the Environmental Technical Sector in our Arvada, CO office. Staff Scientist I will assist with projects by performing the duties related to the successful completion and delivery of a project. This position will work closely with senior staff on varied solid waste and environmental projects. Assignments will include a mixture of field and office duties; collaborative, team-led projects; and working independently with direction, supervision, and support from project managers and senior engineering staff. New and varied assignments may be made frequently requiring flexibility in travel, self- directed learning skills and heightened social interaction. Field assignments can be frequent, and the duration can extend beyond one week.

The Company is seeking a candidate with a strong background or interest in hydrogeology, air emission control and compliance, environmental remediation, and basic civil design.

Responsibilities

The Staff Scientist I position will directly report to and support senior staff in the Arvada, CO office, and occasionally virtually to senior staff at other offices. Generally, field tasks will include air and groundwater sampling at long-term solid waste locations. Office duties will primarily be the preparation of compliance reports, design and construction plans, and drawings. This early career position will expose you to varied concepts, tools, and project types, allowing you to find the work that interests you.

Specifically, this position may include:

• Gauging and sampling groundwater monitoring wells,
• Monitoring subsurface gas concentrations using a four-gas meter or GEM-500,
• On-site construction observation for solid waste earthwork or geomembrane placement,
• Preparing air or water quality reports, which may include using LandGem or Sanitas statistical analysis software,
• Composing or editing construction quality assurance plans, engineering design and operations plans, and SOPs for field sampling.
• Assisting with the design and drafting of construction drawings.
• Assisting with solid waste facility siting.
• Acquire and develop basic technical skills.
• Apply prescribed techniques and procedures in accordance with established criteria to perform assigned tasks.
• Perform routine technical work that does not require previous experience.
• Collect data and gather information or documents. Perform standard computations or analysis.
• Assist in client contact and communication pertaining to specific projects.
• Assist in the development of scopes of work and cost estimates for projects.
• Attend client meetings and complete field investigations, day or night; ability to complete overnight travel unassisted, sometimes extending several consecutive nights to in excess of one week.
• Assist in the preparation or modification of various types of reports, specifications, plans, subcontractor schedules and permits.
• Direct a variety of field work using subcontractors and/or staff.
• Serve as onsite project representative and provide construction observation services.
• May be designated as responsible for the on-site health and safety plan administration.
• Develop awareness of potential liabilities associated with the technical aspects of the area of expertise.
• Adhere to the appropriate document review requirements and understand the need to provide technical solutions that protect the company.

Travel: up to 25%.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in appropriate engineering or science. An environmental science or engineering, civil engineering, or geology degree is preferred.
• 1 year of experience post-graduation preferred.
• In-training certificate or similar, as appropriate, preferred.
• Should actively pursue professional registration and/or certification.
• Must have a valid driver's license and the ability to pass drug tests.

Please note: We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.

Benefits:

• Salary: $52,000-$59,000 (Salary)
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Health, Dental, Vision, 401K Retirement Plan, Employee Stock Options (ESOP), Life/ADD Insurance, Short & Long-Term Disability, Voluntary Insurance, Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care, and more.
• Paid Time Off & Wellness Programs: Generous PTO, flexible work schedules, wellness initiatives, and more.
• Professional Growth: Tuition/Student Loan reimbursement program, professional dues, and opportunities for advancement within the company.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must be able and willing to frequently lift and/or move 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Why SMA?

Since 1985, Souder, Miller & Associates has been a leader in providing engineering, survey, and environmental solutions across New Mexico. As the third-largest engineering firm in the state, we pride ourselves on delivering innovative and sustainable solutions to complex challenges, from designing public infrastructure to environmental remediation. Our employee-driven culture fosters a sense of ownership and community where everyone’s contribution is recognized and valued.

At SMA, you’re not just a team member – you’re an integral part of our journey to success, a mentor to the next generation of engineers, and a leader who shapes the future of the communities we serve.

If you’re ready to make a lasting impact, drive innovation, and grow with an employee-owned firm, we want to hear from you. Apply now to be part of our legacy.