Environmental Scientist 1

Apex Companies•Chicago, IL

15h•$45,000 - $55,000

About The Position

Apex is seeking entry-level Environmental Field Scientist 1 positions that will be responsible for conducting comprehensive on-site environmental assessments at various operational sites to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, as well as internal corporate environmental protocols. This role, utilizing an established checklist, will evaluate facility operations; identify risks; ensure environmental programs are properly implemented; and provide correct actions as needed to support environmental regulatory programs. This posting is for Chicago, IL but we are hiring nationwide across these locations: Boston, Newark, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Jackson, Atlanta, Tampa, Nashville, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Louisville, Minneapolis, Dallas, Kansas City, Denver, Pocatello, Phoenix, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco/Bay Area, and Sacramento. The anticipated start date is mid-March. Travel: This role requires 50–75% travel to operational sites and you must be able to drive to client sites within an approximate 300-mile radius of Chicago.

Requirements

BA/BS degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management, Biology, Geology, Engineering, Data Analytics, or related discipline.
0-3 years of experience conducting environmental inspections, audits, or regulatory compliance assessments.
Knowledge of key environmental regulations (RCRA, EPCRA, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, DOT hazardous materials).
Ability to interpret environmental records, manifests, and regulatory documentation.
Proficient in Microsoft Office, audit tools, and reporting platforms.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Comfortable working independently in field settings.
This position is based in Chicago and requires frequent travel within a 300‑mile radius. Candidates must be able to reliably travel throughout this region.
Valid driver's license with clean driving record.
This position requires successful completion of medical screening and pre-employment drug testing.
Sponsorship is not available now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Experience in distribution, logistics, warehousing, or manufacturing environments strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct scheduled and on-call environmental inspections at operational sites to evaluate:
Hazardous waste handling, labeling, and storage
Universal waste and e-waste management
Stormwater and wastewater systems
Spill prevention and control measures
Air emissions, refrigerant management, and equipment compliance
Solid waste management and recycling streams
Chemical storage
Material storage and management
Inspect areas such as loading docks, fuel systems, waste storage areas, material handling areas, and mechanical rooms, etc. for environmental risks.
Review facility documentation including:
Hazardous waste manifests
Emergency response plans
Spill logs and incident reports
Inspection checklists
Training records
Environmental permits
Environmental records
Equipment records
Environmental performance data
Prepare detailed inspection reports using standardized online reporting platforms
Propose corrective actions to address compliance gaps
Perform field work including collecting and processing environmental samples (stormwater, wastewater, air, etc.)
This position is primarily scheduled during standard business hours; however, periodic on-call coverage and off-hours work may be required. The employee must be willing and able to travel to client sites, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, as business needs dictate.