Senior Chemist/Data Validator

WSP • Redmond, WA

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

This Opportunity WSP’s Federal Environment Team is currently initiating a search for a Senior Chemist/Data Validator with the potential to work out of Redmond, WA; Seattle, WA; or Tacoma, WA to support management of analytical laboratory subcontractors and environmental chemistry data quality for Federal clients at contaminated-site projects. Be involved in projects with our Federal Environmental Team and be a key driver in a growing organization that meets our client’s objectives and solves their challenges. The successful candidate will support environmental analytical chemistry programs for complex contaminated-site investigations, with primary responsibilities focused on coordinating analytical laboratory subcontractors, reviewing laboratory deliverables, performing or supporting data validation, evaluating QA/QC results, and preparing defensible chemistry data for technical reports and client decision-making.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, geochemistry, or equivalent.
• 5-7 years of relevant experience supporting environmental analytical chemistry programs, laboratory coordination, data validation, chemistry data management, and development or review of UFP-QAPPs.
• Ability to support field teams by coordinating laboratory requirements, sample containers, preservation, holding times, chains of custody, and analytical schedules.
• Ability to manage multiple laboratory deliverables, subcontractor schedules, and project deadlines in a fast-paced consulting environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and related tools for organizing, reviewing, validating, and summarizing analytical chemistry datasets.
• Experience reviewing laboratory case narratives, data validation packages, electronic data deliverables, and all applicable QA/QC indicators to support defensible interpretation of analytical results.
• Strong technical writing, data interpretation, and communication skills, including the ability to clearly document data validation findings, data qualifiers, data usability, and analytical uncertainty for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to be an active participant and productive member of the team and to work well with other team members.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and accountable for producing high-quality chemistry data deliverables in coordination with laboratories and project teams.
• Availability to travel periodically to support project needs, including coordination with field teams and laboratories.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and industry standard health, safety, drug/alcohol and harassment policies.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s (MS) degree in chemistry, analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, geochemistry, or a related field.
• 40-hour OSHA HAZWOPER certification and ability to pass an OSHA-mandated/HAZWOPER medical physical for work on hazardous waste sites and medically able to wear a tight-fitting respirator.
• Experience managing analytical laboratory subcontractors, including scope development, schedule coordination, deliverable tracking, invoice review support, and resolution of data quality issues.
• Experience in environmental forensics, source identification, or statistical evaluation of chemical datasets is a plus.
• Experience performing EPA-style data reviewing laboratory analytical packages or validation or third-party review of summaries for environmental laboratory investigations, including assessment of data usability and preparation of data quality summaries for technical reports.
• Experience with laboratory information management systems, electronic data deliverables, or chemistry database workflows.

Responsibilities

• Support contaminated-site projects by developing and reviewing UFP-QAPPs, coordinating with analytical laboratories, tracking sample delivery and data milestones, reviewing laboratory case narratives and electronic data deliverables, evaluating method performance and QA/QC results, and documenting data usability.
• Apply knowledge of analytical chemistry, environmental sampling design, laboratory methods, data validation principles, data quality objectives, UFP-QAPP requirements, laboratory QA/QC requirements, and interpretation of organic and inorganic chemistry data for soil, sediment, groundwater, surface water, and biota.
• Demonstrate experience with analytical methods for one or more contaminant groups, such as trace metals, mercury/methylmercury, PCBs, PAHs, pesticides, dioxins/furans, PFAS, VOCs, SVOCs, conventional parameters, or other site-specific contaminants of concern.
• Manage analytical laboratory subcontractors; coordinate sample bottle orders, chains of custody, shipping, and project-specific analytical requirements; track laboratory schedules and deliverables; review laboratory data packages; perform or coordinate data validation; manage chemistry datasets; and prepare concise data quality summaries for UFP-QAPPs, technical reports, and client deliverables.
• Work closely with project managers, field teams, laboratories, data managers, and senior chemists to ensure UFP-QAPPs, analytical data packages, and chemistry data deliverables are complete, technically defensible, and delivered on schedule.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, subcontractor coordination, resources, and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Benefits

• Coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life
• Retirement savings
• Paid sick leave
• Paid vacation (or other personal time)
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior